# Reusable, transparent, and reconfigurable N95-equivalent Respirator Masks: design, fabrication, and trials for enhanced adoption

> **NIH NIH R41** · SEEUS95 INC · 2022 · $259,505

## Abstract

Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the wide use of facial protective equipment (FPE), by the general
population, to combat viral spread. As an unfortunate consequence, the limitations of current FPE have been
exposed, due to its technology having not improved significantly, despite medical environmental facemasks
being used for over 100 years. This is particularly a problem with healthcare workers, who must wear
facemasks or respirators for long periods, often several hours. These problems include fogging of eyewear,
improper fitting, discomfort to the wearer, and hindered communication between individuals. In addition,
the materials made in commonly available FPE can often be harmful to the environment, and their disposal
can generate a large amount of hazardous landfill waste when used in present day quantities.
The proposed research seeks to remedy this by developing new FPE designs. The first of these will be an
improvement to the strapless facemask designed by SEEUS95, Inc. (New York, NY) known as the
SEEUS95 respirator mask. The current half-mask design will be tested and trialed by volunteers, as well as
modified to create a modification child-size version. The SEEUS95 masks features an eco-friendly new
filter design and cartridge using natural materials (i.e., air-blown PLA) with no polypropylene, the first of
its kind in air filtration. In tandem, the second FPE design to be studied will be an improved version of the
X-mask, designed by the Chen laboratory. The design will be improved by adding a silicone padding to
improve fitting and comfort, as well as incorporating the eco-friendly respirator design of the SEEUS95
masks and a novel filter design implementing contour airways (inspired by the morphology of the human
gut and its ability to extract nutrients). Human subjects’ trials will test the designs for efficacy, and surveys
will extract users’ opinions regarding whether they prefer the new or already available FPE, allowing them
to elaborate on their desired key features for our design focus.
The outcomes of this study will lead to improved FPE designs for better communication, comfort, and
environmental outcomes, without sacrificing the safety of the wearer or those he/she encounters. The clear
FPE will not only benefit those with hearing loss or difficulties in communications, as well as healthcare
workers and first responders, but will also increase the likelihood of adopting and adhering to such FPE by
the general public. The improved designs offer an effective manner to combat the effects of COVID-19,
and could be instrumental in preventing the spread of virus should similar situations arise in the future. The
outcomes will set the stage for Phase II research that aims to further examine and improve on the efficacy
of these innovative FPE, and integrate with advanced sensing techniques for continuously monitoring
human health conditions such as fever, couching, and chills. Ultimately our research and prototypes wi...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10482253
- **Project number:** 1R41DC020133-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** SEEUS95 INC
- **Principal Investigator:** Zi Chen
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $259,505
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-15 → 2025-08-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10482253

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10482253, Reusable, transparent, and reconfigurable N95-equivalent Respirator Masks: design, fabrication, and trials for enhanced adoption (1R41DC020133-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10482253. Licensed CC0.

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