The Institute for Research in Innovative Technology and Sustainability (IRITS) received funding from a mask filtration layer manufacturer, Curie Limited, to conduct a contract project. The institute was tasked with employing the University’s testing and certification (T&C) expertise and facilities to fine-tune a filtration material developed as an alternative to the traditional meltblown fabric, and to look for new applications of this material.

Making use of strongly positively charged fibres to arrest and destroy spike proteins, the new material has undergone pre-production testing and fine-tuning to the highest efficacy in the OUHK T&C Laboratory. The final product, now already used in commercial mask production, has been proved to be 99.81% effective in killing the COVID-19 virus. Meanwhile, the OUHK team is looking into other applications of the material, such as in air conditioning systems and clothing items.