A nanofiber nonwoven product is disclosed which comprises a polyamide with a relative viscosity from 2 to 330, spun into nanofibers with an average diameter of less than 1000 nanometers (1 micron). In general, the inventive products are prepared by: (a) providing a polyamide composition, wherein the polyamide has a relative viscosity from 2 to 330; (b) melt spinning the polyamide composition into a plurality of nanofibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 1 micron, followed by (c) forming the nanofibers into the product.

A nanofiber nonwoven product is disclosed which comprises a polyamide with a relative viscosity from 2 to 330, spun into nanofibers with an average diameter of less than 1000 nanometers (1 micron). In general, the inventive products are prepared by: (a) providing a polyamide composition, wherein the polyamide has a relative viscosity from 2 to 330; (b) melt spinning the polyamide composition into a plurality of nanofibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 1 micron, followed by (c) forming the nanofibers into the product.

Methods, apparatuses, and systems associated with personal protective equipment are provided. An example mask may include an exterior layer, one or more mask straps coupled to the exterior layer, and a filter layer. An example method for manufacturing a protective garment may include providing a front segment, providing a back segment, and connecting the front segment and the back segment by at least forming a front raglan seam.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes antiviral masks with at least one metallic layer. In one or more embodiments, the at least one metallic layer can be a copper based metallic layer and can be shaped as a facial mask that covers the exposed orifices of a user's face, including the nose and mouth, and can be used independently of other layers and/or other masks.

Nonwoven fabrics are provided that include a first meltblown layer, in which the first meltblown layer comprises a first polymeric material including (i) a first polymer component and (ii) optionally one or more first additives. The first polymer component comprises a first recycled-polypropylene (rPP).

An electrospun polymer nanofibrous membrane that provides high filtering efficiency and excellent porosity is disclosed herein. The membrane may be treated with one or more antimicrobial or antiviral agents. The treatment may preferably be a coating of one or more antiviral agents on the surface of the membrane. Alternatively, one or more antiviral agents may be impregnated into the membrane. The membrane may additionally or alternatively be impregnated with one or more metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The membrane has a high filtering efficiency and sufficient porosity to provide breathability characteristics. In some embodiments, the membrane is suitable for use in making facemasks and respirators that are highly resistant to infectious pathogens and/or other small particulates. In some embodiments, the membrane is suitable for use in HVAC applications. In some embodiments, the membrane is suitable for use in removal of VOCs and CO.sub.2 in conjunction with a carbon nanofiber membrane.

Filter media including a waved filtration layer are described herein. The filtration layer may be held in a waved configuration by a support layer. In some cases, the filtration layer may have a combination of characteristics (e.g., mean flow pore size, basis weight, amongst others) that can lead to enhanced filtration performance (e.g., reduced air permeability decrease), in particular, in high humidity environments. The filter media may be used to form a variety of filter elements for use in various applications. In some embodiments, at least a surface of the filtration layer is hydrophilic.

Fibrous filter medium that includes a melt-blown filter layer comprising melt-blown fibers and a high-efficiency glass-containing filter layer comprising glass fibers.

A rigid, channel-framed, non-compressible, non-nestable, pleated air filter, comprising: a tightly-pleated air filter media comprised of a nonwoven fibrous web and with an upstream face and a downstream face, wherein the tightly-pleated air filter media comprises a plurality of upstream (and downstream) pleat tips and upstream (and downstream) pleat valleys, the tightly-pleated air filter media comprising a plurality of upstream (and downstream) linear bridging filaments that are at least substantially parallel to each other and are oriented at least substantially orthogonal to the pleat direction and are extrusion-bonded to at least some of the upstream (and downstream) pleat tips, and, a channel frame comprising four major frame portions, with each major frame portion being mounted on one of the four major edges of the pleated air filter media.

A functionalized fine fiber is provided. In an embodiment, the functionalized fine fiber is usable in chromatography. The functionalized fine fiber includes a matrix of fine fiber. The fine fibers preferably have an average diameter of less than 2 micron, and each fine fiber preferably has a length of at least 1 millimeter. The fine fibers carry and immobilize functional molecules.