COVID-19: Jadavpur University researchers develop low-cost three-layer fabric masks

With growing demands for face masks around the country, the Jadavpur University researchers have developed a three-layer fabric mask using low-cost and readily available material. 

A team of researchers at Jadavpur University have developed a prototype of a three-layer fabric face mask using readily available and low-cost materials. The face masks have been made keeping in mind the growing demands, amid the rising cases of coronavirus in the country.

The institute's Centre for Appropriate Social Technologies (CSAT) has developed the preliminary version by using simple procedures and materials that are mostly available in any household, it said in a statement.

The inner layer of the mask is made up of cotton towel, and the other two layers are made from polypropylene fabric.

The institute said in a statement that the mask has been made in such a way that majority of droplets reaching healthy individuals from an infected one, either through sneezing, coughing or talking, will be screened, in turn keeping them safe. The mask is made of soft material and hence it will not cause any difficulty to the person in breathing.

Further experimentation on a bigger scale can be carried out when the university laboratories are accessible once the lockdown phase is over, the Jadavpur University said in a statement.

This three-layer mask can be made easily using suitable method like a sewing machine or even by hand, the statement added.

Recently, two researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur had developed a prototype of a face mask and distributed it amongst the health workers who are attending the coronavirus patients.

The number of coronavirus cases in the country today has reached to 4,067 with death toll crossing 100.

Read More:  

• IIT Delhi to provide supercomputer for coronavirus research
• Coronavirus: IIT Kharagpur faculty develops face shields for healthcare workers