“UV-C / heat, Arduino-controlled, face-mask disinfecting device for Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). #COVID19DetectProtect
FFP1 and FFP2 masks are indispensable protective elements during epidemics. They are intended for single-use, but during a crisis the re-usage is inevitable and disinfection mechanisms are required (1). During the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemics, hospitals, healthcare centers, and research facilities have implemented different mechanisms of disinfection for these masks, usually involving ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) and/or heat of some sort. Nonetheless, these methods are not available to many vulnerable parts of the population, where nonetheless, due to shortage, the re-usage of these masks has become the only option. The need for a viable method of disinfection of face masks is further increased by evidence of SARS-CoV-2 being extremely stable on the surface of surgical masks even after 7 days (2).
This project intends to create a low budget and portable device that can effectively use UVGI and dry heat to disinfect face masks from SARS-CoV virions and that can be easily reproduced by people who need it.”