A facemask assembly can include an interior air filter that is replaceable and/or contains biocidal elements. The filter can capture exhaled H.sub.2O to activate silver ions creating a biocidal environment. In some embodiments, at least part of the facemask is made via additive manufacturing. A facemask frame assembly can create a pleated filter to increase surface area and bring the filter material closer to the mouth and nose. The facemask can include a facial skirt customized to the facial geometry of the wearer. The facemask can have a permanently sealed filter than can withstand boiling and autoclaving temperatures so the mask system can be sterilized without disassembly. In some embodiments, the facemask has a visible display of how many times the facemask has been sterilized. In some embodiments, the mask includes a RFID device that can transmit how many times the facemask has been sterilized.

Metal nanoparticle agglomerates may convey biocidal activity to surfaces upon which they are deposited and become adhered, such as various air filtration media. Air filtration media may comprise a plurality of fibers having a plurality of metal nanoparticle agglomerates adhered thereto. The metal nanoparticle agglomerates may comprise a plurality of fused, partially fused, or unfused metal nanoparticles that are associated with one another upon a surface of the plurality of the fibers. Suitable metal nanoparticles for promoting biocidal activity against various pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, may include copper nanoparticles and/or silver nanoparticles. Masks, inline filters, and air filtration systems may incorporate the air filtration media.

A combination of nanoparticles applied onto a mask filtration system, exemplarily including 1%-10% graphene; 1%-10% titanium dioxide; 1%-10% zinc oxide; 1%-10% copper oxide; 1%-10% silicon dioxide; and balance solvent is provided.

The present invention relates to a sheet filter material, in particular having an aerosol filter function and/or a particle filter function, preferably having a protective function against chemical, biological and/or chemical harmful and toxic substances, and to a method for the production thereof. The sheet filter material is particularly suitable for producing protective equipment, protective objects, sports and leisure clothing and filters and filter materials of all types.

A mask that exhibits a more improved antibacterial effect by more efficiently expanding and contracting a body of the mask in the periphery of the nose and mouth area of the mask without using a drug such as an antibacterial agent and/or an antiviral agent. The mask includes: a body including a yarn having a potential generating filament; and at least one dart that extends from an edge portion of the body towards a central portion of the body.

An article with self-disinfecting and anti-fog properties. In embodiments, the article is a face shield having a transparent substrate configured to extend facing at least a portion of a face of a wearer, and has a first surface adapted to be disposed facing the face of the wearer and second surface disposed opposite to the first surface. The face panel is protected by a sulfonated polymeric layer on the second surface, for killing at least 95% microbes within 30 minutes of contact. The sulfonated polymeric is sufficiently or selectively sulfonated to contain from 10-100 mol % sulfonic acid or sulfonate salt functional groups based on the number of monomer units, for killing at least 99% of microbes within 5 minutes of coming into contact with the face panel. The sulfonated polymeric layer has a T.sub.fog of >15 minutes.

Described herein is a disinfecting system for a respirator. The disinfecting system may comprise a ultraviolet irradiation component configured to emit ultraviolet (UV) irradiation in a direction of a filter cartridge of the respirator. The ultraviolet irradiation component may be integrated with the filter cartridge or may be contained in a separate cover adapted to connect to the filter cartridge. The disinfecting system may also comprise a ultraviolet irradiation component configured to emit ultraviolet (UV) irradiation in a direction of an exhale port of the respirator. The ultraviolet irradiation component may be integrated with the exhale port or may be contained in a separate shield adapted to connect to the exhale port.

Provided is a stretchable film having excellent stretchability, excellent air permeability, and an excellent deodorizing property. Also provided is an article including such stretchable film. A stretchable film of the present invention is a film having stretchability, and includes a deodorant. The stretchable film of the present invention is a film having stretchability, and has a deodorization efficiency for each of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide 3 hours after the start of a deodorization test, the deodorization efficiency being measured by a detector tube method, of 10% or more.

An antimicrobial air treatment device and a method of its construction. The antimicrobial air treatment device comprises an antimicrobial metal nanoparticle mesh comprising a steel support mesh and a layer of copper nanoparticles disposed on the steel support mesh. The antimicrobial air treatment device may be in the form of a facemask or a component of a moving air filtration system such as an HVAC system, an automobile cabin air filtration system, and an air purifier. The antimicrobial air treatment device may contain one or more filtration layers of filtration medium. The method of constructing the antimicrobial air treatment device involves the preparation of the antimicrobial metal nanoparticle mesh by an electrodeposition technique.

Described herein is an antiviral face mask and methods of use thereof to inactivate a virus in contact with the face mask. The face mask may include a fibrous material with silicon nitride powder impregnated therein and a layer surrounding the fibrous material. In some embodiments, silicon nitride is present in the fibrous material at a concentration of about 30 wt. % to about 50 wt. %.