Note (May 2024): This website has not been updated in a few years, but is posted here for reference. Any inquiries should be directed to Prof. Jim Smith.
The global stockpile of personal protective equipment (PPE) is insufficient to meet the demands of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly for medical masks and respirators. Our focus is to mitigate the impact and control the spread of COVID-19 through:
- providing guidance to the public and health care workers on the effectiveness of different do-it-yourself (DIY) masks, including material type and mask design, and
- developing a scalable crowdsourced fabrication process in order to rapidly meet health care demand for medical masks.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this web site is informational only and is intended for use by a lay audience interested in learning more about face masks. It does not constitute, nor is it a substitute for, personal medical advice. The contributors to this site have made every effort to provide information that is accurate and complete as of the date of publication. However, in light of rapid changes occurring in this field of research, as well as the possibility of human error, this site might contain inaccuracies. The information contained herein is provided “as is” and without warranty of any kind. Test data are informational and obtained using state-of-the-art particle analysis methods but are not meant to substitute for CDC- or NIOSH-certified testing methods or data. The contributors to this site disclaim responsibility for any errors or omissions or for results obtained from the use of the information herein.