NYUAD develops eco-friendly 3-D masks to cut waste

26 / 05 / 2020

By Marwa Nassar - -

New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) developed eco-friendly reusable face masks to reduce the impact of single-use masks on the environment.

The outbreak of the coronavirus made the N95 masks pivotal for protecting healthcare professionals and members of the public.

Due to an ever-increasing rise in demand for protective masks, a single-use N95 mask has become detrimental to the environment.

The 3D printed N95 mask provides a viable solution to meet the needs of both safety and sustainability due to its ability to be re-sterilized and re-used.

This innovative 3-D printed mask has been created in collaboration with the Health Center at NYUAD, and is designed to be protective, comfortable and re-usable, while reducing the impact on the environment.

The masks are treated with heat in order to achieve a smooth surface, and then breathing filters are placed on the mask, straps are tightened, and a simple layer of recyclable, environment-friendly polyurethane is placed on its boundary. It is made of plastic, predominantly of tough Polylactic Acid (PLA), a biocompatible material that bio-degrades into Lactic Acid (LA). As the mask is recyclable, it also minimizes pollution caused by waste.

Program Head and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at NYUAD Anthony Tzes said: “The mask is environmentally friendly because you can reuse them, but it is also friendly to humans, meaning it will not cause itching or irritation.”

NYU Abu Dhabi has worked with Mubadala Healthcare to create 3D printed N-95 masks that would be better for the environment while providing the same level of protection for users.

Experts at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi facility were enlisted to advise on issues regarding supply chain and clinical engineering, as well as seeking their medical opinion and help in testing the equipment. The collaboration is part of an effort to find solutions to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to do so in a sustainable way.

Therefore, the new 3D printed masks are similar to the top-rated N95 mask, but reusable and with replacement filters.

“This initiative allows us to directly contribute to the government’s response to the outbreak, and builds on our existing role of offering the highest standards in education. I am proud to say that two members of the team at Mubadala Healthcare working on this project are NYUAD alumni,” NYU Abu Dhabi Vice Provost for Innovation and Managing Director of startAD Ramesh Jagannathan said.