USF gets grant to advance mask sterilization technology
May 26, 2020 - The National Science Foundation has awarded a $167,000 grant to a team of scientists from the University of South Florida that is working on a novel technology for critically needed respiratory masks. The technology can rapidly sterilize and electrostatically recharge N95 respiratory masks to restore their original filtration efficiency, USF said in a news release. The researchers have filed for a provisional patent on the technology and are working toward FDA approval. They’re currently collaborating with a medical device design company to turn their prototypes into products that cost less than $50.