School of Engineering developing prototype for reusable surgical mask

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face mask prototype

Mercer’s School of Engineering is developing a prototype for a reusable surgical mask to distribute to local healthcare providers. The University currently has materials on hand to make as many as 150.

The masks, made of a durable polypropylene-like material, are intended to be sanitized and reused with the exception of a small high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter that is clipped in place at the front of the mask and must be replaced.

The project was initiated by Macon dentist Dr. Amber Lawson, a 2002 graduate of Mercer’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She contacted University officials earlier this week about producing a 3D-printed mask that she learned about while serving on the Georgia Dental Association’s COVID-19 Task Force.

Continue reading about the development of the masks at news.mercer.edu.

Dr. Amber Lawson, left, and Dr. Joanna Thomas work on a reusable surgical mask prototype in the Godsey Science Center on Mercer’s Macon campus.

 

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