ACADEMIA Letters Technodemic Mask: mean of protection against COVID-19 and other viruses using masks Menna Allah Mohamed, Menofia STEM School Norhan Mohamed, Menofia STEM School Arwa Hamdy, Menofia STEM School ABSTRACT Covid-19 started in Wuhan, China on 31 December 2019. It was a surprising danger for all the world that threatened people’s lives.A state of panic got all people around the world and all the plans had been canceled. People stayed home due to quarantine, schools had been closed and all companies stopped their work. so it affects the economy of many countries as shares of most companies fell. It also affected people‘s income and staying home for some families was so difficult, especially for workers who depend on a daily wage. For necessary, they had to get out of the house and continue work under the high risk of being infected. The infection of the virus became widespread around the world and there were many infected cases of all different ages. The hospitals were full of patients and there was a big risk on the medical staff as they are in touch with the infected patients. With the lack of medical equipment, especially medical masks, things got worse. There were some precautionary measures that the world health organization posted to people to protect from the infection like clean hands continually, maintain a free distance from each other, and wearing masks. Currently, many countries suffer from the masks crisis. consumption of masks has increased, as workers in all areas and all citizens refuse to wear medical masks to prevent infection of the virus. Most hospitals were suffering from the lack of medical masks. We decided to take part to solve this problem by making a self-cleaning mask with nanoparticles of copper. it depends on using Academia Letters, September 2021 ©2021 by the authors — Open Access — Distributed under CC BY 4.0 Corresponding Author: Menna Allah Mohamed, menna_allah.2019118@stemmenof.moe.edu.eg Citation: Mohamed, M.A., Mohamed, N., Hamdy, A. (2021). Technodemic Mask: mean of protection against COVID-19 and other viruses using masks. Academia Letters, Article 3463. 1 the technology of far UVC rays that can kill the virus by 99% according to WHO. 1. Introduction Facing rush orders for face masks has become one of the principal issues for countries against the pandemic. Masks will play a significant role in the covid-19 crisis while lockdowns are gradually lifted and the economic movement continues, while the infection remains a threat. As the coronavirus is transmitted via droplets of fluid from the nose or mouth, face masks are vital for health workers who are in direct contact with infected cases. They can also play a role in stopping sick people from spreading the virus when coughing or just talking or breathing. While the recommendation originally was to wear masks only when taking care of people suspected of COVID-19 virus, WHO announced new guidance on the use of masks for healthy people in community settings on 6 April 2020, and health authorities are frequently recommending widespread use of masks. Surprisingly, masks once again became an obstacle, and they were not available in drugstores. Nevertheless, masks must be changed every day, which will create a strong demand for masks. Masks are currently in short supply, especially in hospitals, and it is therefore hard for the public to buy masks at drugstores. People will also have to use their masks regularly. Additionally, general practitioners in Australia have increased anxieties over their safety and the safety of their teams because of the shortage of protective equipment, including masks, which they said are needed to fight confidently against the novel coronavirus crisis. To figure the domestic lack of masks, many countries graph(1) have put restrictions on exports or equivalent measures such as the compulsory purchase by governments of all available stocks. So having an efficient mask that we can use many times is extremely important and necessary. But it is also a challenge to have a self-cleaning mask that you can use every day. Nevertheless, technology can help to achieve it. Academia Letters, September 2021 ©2021 by the authors — Open Access — Distributed under CC BY 4.0 Corresponding Author: Menna Allah Mohamed, menna_allah.2019118@stemmenof.moe.edu.eg Citation: Mohamed, M.A., Mohamed, N., Hamdy, A. (2021). Technodemic Mask: mean of protection against COVID-19 and other viruses using masks. Academia Letters, Article 3463. 2 2. Methods Graph (1) Our project consists of two major parts the Far_UVC lamb with a certain wavelength and Nano-copper molecules (which will be spread among the mask). The idea is dependent on making the high efficiency of air filtration that is inhaled or exhaled by the person and reduces the transmission of infection as the UVC proved its effect on COVID 19 and its ability to inactivate it completely. The mask is composed of two layers from cotton, which are supported by the Nano copper particles that are known for their ability in killing Bactria and viruses. Once the viruses just touch the layer of copper, the copper kills his DNA or RNA and makes it lose its ability to develop or hurt someone which will be used to increase the efficiency of the mask and support the Far UVC lamp. Between the two layers, there will be the Far UVC lamp which is safe for humans and it doesn’t cause any danger but is provides its ability in killing viruses like COVID 19, so by using the copper molecules and the UVC lamp we ensure the efficiency of our mask and how useful it will be in a pandemic situation like this. Academia Letters, September 2021 ©2021 by the authors — Open Access — Distributed under CC BY 4.0 Corresponding Author: Menna Allah Mohamed, menna_allah.2019118@stemmenof.moe.edu.eg Citation: Mohamed, M.A., Mohamed, N., Hamdy, A. (2021). Technodemic Mask: mean of protection against COVID-19 and other viruses using masks. Academia Letters, Article 3463. 3 3. Discussion COVID-19 has caused a significant shortage in the supply of face masks, which is mainly in a surge request. Satisfying the market and preventing the virus, face masks have become one of the main issues for overcoming the pandemic. Although that, Surgical masks do not offer full protection against the coronavirus. Once used, their external layer may become covered with microbes. Moreover, humidity from the mouth slowly changes its filtering properties. Masks are then effective only for few hours and there is a great risk of infection when re-using them. Technodemic mask idea was to make a mask that prevents the virus of covid-19 completely, that can solve the problem of the economy, re-usable, self-cleaning and keeps the people safe too. By Searching for an effective way to kill the COVID-19 virus. We know that UV radiation from the sun is the primary disinfectant in the environment. Studies were made on the estimated inactivation of viruses by solar exposure with 254-nm UV. It was tried on a Academia Letters, September 2021 ©2021 by the authors — Open Access — Distributed under CC BY 4.0 Corresponding Author: Menna Allah Mohamed, menna_allah.2019118@stemmenof.moe.edu.eg Citation: Mohamed, M.A., Mohamed, N., Hamdy, A. (2021). Technodemic Mask: mean of protection against COVID-19 and other viruses using masks. Academia Letters, Article 3463. 4 wide variety of viruses, including those with double-stranded DNA, single-stranded DNA, double-stranded RNA, or single-stranded RNA genomes. UV radiation eliminates viruses by chemically modifying their genetic material, DNA, and RNA. The main photochemical processes that damage the viral DNA or RNA occur at all the solar UV wavelengths, altering only the efficiency of the different wavelengths. UV rays proved their ability in killing viruses and bacteria, not all UV types but UVC especially when used at a specific wavelength between 240-260 nm, as ultraviolet rays type C at this wavelength proved its efficiency in inactivation the virus (COVID- 19) by 99.9%. UVC radiation has been shown to damage the outer protein coating of the Coronavirus. But the only matter is that it has side effects on humans. Direct UVC exposition to human skin or eyes causes injuries. There have been reports of skin and eye burns resulting from incorrect installation of UVC lamps on humans. The risk of skin cancer, cataracts, or permanent vision loss is also thought to be very weak. The eye injury connected with exposition to UVC causes severe pain and a feeling like having sand in the eyes. Most skin cancers are a result of exposition to UV rays in sunlight. We tried to avoid that danger by using the far UVC. Far-UVC light (207 – 222nm) efficiently destroys pathogens without harm to exposed human tissues. graph(2) We previously showed that 222-nm far-UVC light efficiently destroys the airborne virus, and we increase those studies to explore far-UVC efficacy against airborne human coronaviruses alpha HCoV-229E and beta HCoV-OC43. Small doses of 1.7 and 1.2 mg/cm2 inactivated 99.9% of aerosolized virus 229E and OC43, respectively. Continuous far-UVC exposure in occupied public places at the current regulatory exposition limit ( 3 mg/cm2/hour) would result in 90% widely viral inactivation in 8minutes, 95% in 11minutes, 99% in 16minutes, and 99.9% inactivation in about 25 minutes. Academia Letters, September 2021 ©2021 by the authors — Open Access — Distributed under CC BY 4.0 Corresponding Author: Menna Allah Mohamed, menna_allah.2019118@stemmenof.moe.edu.eg Citation: Mohamed, M.A., Mohamed, N., Hamdy, A. (2021). Technodemic Mask: mean of protection against COVID-19 and other viruses using masks. Academia Letters, Article 3463. 5 Graph(2): Far-UVC light (222 nm) efficiently and safely inactivates airborne human coronaviruses Far-UVC light cannot penetrate the human stratum corneum, or the ocular tear layer, or even the cytoplasm of individual human cells. therefore, far-UVC light cannot damage living cells in the human skin or the human eye, in contrast to the conventional germicidal UV light which can reach these sensitive cells. In brief, far-UVC light is anticipated to have about the same anti-microbial properties as conventional germicidal UV light, but without producing the corresponding health effects. far-UVC light has the potential to be applied in occupied public settings to prevent the airborne person-to-person transmission of pathogens such as coronaviruses. We needed to use the far UVC effectively and safely. To solve this problem, we decided to use UVC sterilization lamps in the air conditioning systems in means of transport and buildings. It is a good idea, but we need to make it more effective and ensure it. So, we tried to use the same mechanism but in face masks, a tiny far UVC sterilization lamp where the inhaled and the exhaled air passes from it and if it contains a virus, it is mostly killed and completely inactivated. For more efficiency and our market opportunity, we thought to make the mask self-cleaning or to be used many times. Some known metals are used to kill bacteria and microbes. The research shows that silver is a potent antibacterial agent. Silver ions perform their dangerous work by punching holes in bacterial membranes and wreaking destruction once inside. The link to essential cell components like DNA, which prevents the bacteria from performing even their most basic functions. Silver ions have antibacterial traits for a few reasons. They Academia Letters, September 2021 ©2021 by the authors — Open Access — Distributed under CC BY 4.0 Corresponding Author: Menna Allah Mohamed, menna_allah.2019118@stemmenof.moe.edu.eg Citation: Mohamed, M.A., Mohamed, N., Hamdy, A. (2021). Technodemic Mask: mean of protection against COVID-19 and other viruses using masks. Academia Letters, Article 3463. 6 can meddle with cell DNA and affect their strength to procreate. They can hinder enzymes involved with respiration, basically choking the bacteria cells. And they can react with sensitive thiol groups on bacterial proteins to damage the normal vital activity of the protein. The multi-modal activity also makes it hard for bacteria to develop resistance in the same mean they do to specific antibiotic medicines. But just an inert lump of silver is not going to do much. To be effective, it must first ionize. Research has shown that silver is not an elemental form that is antibacterial. Silverbased antibacterial surfaces should release silver ions directly into the pathogenic environment to be effective. But by research, it was found that there are more other metals that do the same function and are more effective. The antimicrobial effect of copper was long known. This application is considered as a mechanism to reduce environmental contamination in the healthcare setting and thus prevent healthcare-associated infection. “Copper’s specific atomic makeup gives it extra killing power”, Keevil says. Because copper has a free electron in its outer orbital shell of electrons it is easy to take a part in oxidation-reduction reactions. Which makes it more efficient than silver. Copper is known for its ability in killing Bacteria and viruses. Once the viruses just touch the layer of copper, the copper kills his DNA or RNA and makes it miss its ability to develop or hurt someone. It will not need any additional conditions to work. Also, it is cheaper and available. This will be used to keep the mask clean while wearing, where it can be used many times safely. It will reduce the cost and solve the dramatic shortage in the supply of face masks and help the economy get better. Copper will be used in the shape of nanoparticles so the most area of the mask can be covered and without hindering the breathing action. 4. Conclusion & results • The mask is different from the masks found in the market currently. Its idea is dependent on making the high efficiency of air filtration that is inhaled or exhaled by the person and reduces the transmission of infection. • UVC sterilization lamps would be added in the face masks. • Depending on the Far-UVC light (207 – 222nm) which efficiently destroys pathogens without harm to exposed human tissues and proved its effect on COVID 19 and its ability to inactivate it completely. • It is recommended to add a space to batteries for the lamp, to help us in the market. Academia Letters, September 2021 ©2021 by the authors — Open Access — Distributed under CC BY 4.0 Corresponding Author: Menna Allah Mohamed, menna_allah.2019118@stemmenof.moe.edu.eg Citation: Mohamed, M.A., Mohamed, N., Hamdy, A. (2021). Technodemic Mask: mean of protection against COVID-19 and other viruses using masks. Academia Letters, Article 3463. 7 • Nanoparticles of the copper to the mask makes the mask self-cleaning. • Copper is known for his ability in killing Bacteria and viruses so it is effective against viruses and microbes. • Using one mask multiple times will reduce the cost and solve the dramatic shortage in the supply of face masks and help the economy get better. References 1. Baes, F. (n.d.). hps.org. Hps.Org. Retrieved August 24, 2021, from https://hps.org/ publicinformation/ate/q9450.html 2. Breisinger, C., Raouf, M., Wiebelt, M., Kamaly, A., & Karara, M. (n.d.). Impact of COVID-on the Egyptian economy: Economic sectors, jobs, and households. Ifpri.Org. 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Academia Letters, September 2021 ©2021 by the authors — Open Access — Distributed under CC BY 4.0 Corresponding Author: Menna Allah Mohamed, menna_allah.2019118@stemmenof.moe.edu.eg Citation: Mohamed, M.A., Mohamed, N., Hamdy, A. (2021). Technodemic Mask: mean of protection against COVID-19 and other viruses using masks. Academia Letters, Article 3463. 10