Anti-bacterial and anti-viral, smart facemask
AssigneeCity University of Hong Kong
InventorsRuquan YE, Libei HUANG
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Abstract
A facemask having a graphene layer providing antibacterial and antiviral properties. The facemask is also able to generate electricity from the wearer's breath. The graphene is a three dimensional graphene produced in situ the facemask by burning a suitable material in the facemask with a laser, i.e. laser induced graphene (LIG). Typically, the graphene comprises hydrophilic graphene, in such a way that the graphene is more hydrophilic towards one side of the substrate and less hydrophilic towards the other side of the substrate, which provides the possibility of generating an electrical potential difference using human breath.
Claims11
A facemask comprising:
- a substrate having an inner surface for being worn over the mouth and nose of a person;
- the substrate having an outer surface for facing away from the mouth and nose of the person;
- and
- the inner surface comprises three dimensional graphene.
A method of functionalizing a carbonaceous material comprising the steps of:
- providing a carbonaceous material;
- a first stage of applying laser onto the carbonaceous material to produce a layer of three dimensional graphene in the presence of an inert atmosphere;
- a second stage of applying laser onto the three dimensional graphene in the presence of air;
- wherein
- the second stage comprises:
- applying laser to a first part of the three dimensional graphene in such a manner that provides functionalization of the first part with polar groups;
- and
- applying laser to a second part of the three dimensional graphene in such a manner that provides different extent of functionalization of the second part with polar groups.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.