Face Masks in the New COVID-19 Normal: Materials, Testing, and Perspectives
Ming Hui Chua,
Weiren Cheng,
Shermin Simin Goh,
Junhua Kong,
Bing Li,
Jason Y. C. Lim,
Lu Mao,
Suxi Wang,
Kun Xue,
Le Yang,
Enyi Ye,
Kangyi Zhang,
Wun Chet Davy Cheong,
Beng Hoon Tan,
Zibiao Li,
Ban Hock Tan,
Xian Jun Loh
Affiliations
Ming Hui Chua
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A<sup>∗</sup>STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore
Weiren Cheng
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A<sup>∗</sup>STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore
Shermin Simin Goh
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A<sup>∗</sup>STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore
Junhua Kong
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A<sup>∗</sup>STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore
Bing Li
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A<sup>∗</sup>STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore
Jason Y. C. Lim
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A<sup>∗</sup>STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore
Lu Mao
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A<sup>∗</sup>STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore
Suxi Wang
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A<sup>∗</sup>STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore
Kun Xue
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A<sup>∗</sup>STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore
Le Yang
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A<sup>∗</sup>STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore
Enyi Ye
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A<sup>∗</sup>STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore
Kangyi Zhang
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A<sup>∗</sup>STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore
Wun Chet Davy Cheong
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A<sup>∗</sup>STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore
Beng Hoon Tan
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A<sup>∗</sup>STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore
Zibiao Li
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A<sup>∗</sup>STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore
Ban Hock Tan
Department of Infectious Disease, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
Xian Jun Loh
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A<sup>∗</sup>STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore
The increasing prevalence of infectious diseases in recent decades has posed a serious threat to public health. Routes of transmission differ, but the respiratory droplet or airborne route has the greatest potential to disrupt social intercourse, while being amenable to prevention by the humble face mask. Different types of masks give different levels of protection to the user. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has even resulted in a global shortage of face masks and the raw materials that go into them, driving individuals to self-produce masks from household items. At the same time, research has been accelerated towards improving the quality and performance of face masks, e.g., by introducing properties such as antimicrobial activity and superhydrophobicity. This review will cover mask-wearing from the public health perspective, the technical details of commercial and home-made masks, and recent advances in mask engineering, disinfection, and materials and discuss the sustainability of mask-wearing and mask production into the future.