Israeli Scientists Created Face Mask Made of Thin Air that Protects against Viruses

Israeli scientists have created a face mask that protects against viruses without having to cover your face. It uses a special “air screen,” The Times of Israel reports.

Scientists have created a battery-powered prototype device that attaches to a baseball cap and blows air down in front of the face at 30 kilometres per hour.

Tests have shown the effectiveness of such a device. Scientists used particles of different sizes to mimic the motion of viral droplets and aerosols that can carry viruses. The results are published in the journal Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science.

We tried to quantify how many droplets still reached the face, and found that the ‘air screen’ gives high protection which is comparable to that of masks,

Moshe Shoham, professor at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and co-lead of the study, told The Times of Israel.

Wisdome Wearables will soon begin production of the devices. They are expected to arrive in shops within a few months.