Development of respirator design for children using bamboo-based activated carbon filter and bipolar ionization

Abstract

This paper proposes a respirator for children integrated with bamboo-based activated carbon filters and bipolar ionization as the sterilizer to increase protection from Covid-19 and other pathogens. The respirator, named as Bion-Kids, was designed based on the children's head-and-face anthropometry from direct measurement. The duration of sterilization process is controlled based on the activities, which are classified using the Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) model with dataset acquired from the accelerometer. Manufacturing process of the main body prototype comprises heat bending and 3D printing. The bamboo-based activated carbon filter was synthesized by applying heat and pressure at the strewed activated carbon particles on the N95 filter. Observation using scanning electron microscope showed the ability of the bamboo-based activated carbon filter to adsorb and trap the particles. Result of the qualitative fit test and questionnaire survey indicated that Bion-Kids is suitable and comfortable for the children's face. The result of filtration and bipolar ionization sterilization system analysis have also met the ISO14698 standard by not showing any infiltration of microorganisms on the blood agar media. This device may become an early-stage personal protective equipment against the transmission of Covid-19 and other pathogens.

Keywords

• Bamboo-based activated carbon filter
• Bipolar ionization
• RNN
• Covid-19
• Children respirator