LIPI Develops Electric Mask To Kill The Virus That Causes COVID-19

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) is developing an electric mask design to kill the corona virus that causes COVID-19 when air enters the mask.

"Our second filtration has a special design, so that when the air is inhaled, the bacteria and viruses are guaranteed to be killed," said Deni Shidqi Khaerudini, a researcher at LIPI who was involved in developing electric masks to Antara, in Jakarta, Monday, November 2.

The battery-powered mask is designed to have a double filter, namely the first filter using copper in the form of gauze or mesh with a mesh size, and the second filter based on a vortex sterilizer.

The mask, which does not need to be washed, will also use ultraviolet C (UVC) rays, so that it can irradiate the incoming air and also kill viruses and bacteria.

"So, before being inhaled, it is like guaranteeing that the air you breathe is really fresh, there are no bacteria and viruses," said the researcher from the LIPI Physics Research Center.

With a double filter, the mask carries the concept of trapping and killing.

When air enters, viruses and bacteria are trapped or trapped in the first copper-based filter. Then the virus or bacteria will actually be killed in the second filter.

"We made double (double) filtration, first to trap the virus and its bacteria, the second to kill the bacteria or virus," said Deni.

Filtering the air that enters the mask will use electrostatic assistance to help trap viral and bacterial particles.

"So if the virus or bacteria without electrostatic help, they can escape, so we are trapping, that's why there will have to be electricity there, we will plant the battery, there is a lithium ion battery in the mask," said Deni.

UVC light will appear when the mask is used, not when the mask is stored or not used. For the system to generate UVC light, it is still in a concept that can use a special sensor or made by pressing a certain button to turn it on.

The mask is equipped with a battery, so that it can be recharged at any time with a charger. Masks are made with a design in such a way that they are lighter and more effective, but still in a compact or sturdy form.

"Later we will combine it with UVC rays, but we still make the design economical so that it is comfortable to use, not too heavy and the effectiveness of killing (killing) bacteria and viruses will be better," said Deni.