RMUTT Innovation against Covid-19, “Temperature-sensitive mask

RMUTT Textile Engineering students and researchers invented a “Temperature-sensitive mask” that changes into three different colors according to one’s body temperature. The mask relies on thermochromic technology to show temperature changes.

Dr. Nareerat Jariyapanya, a researcher from the Faculty of Textile Innovation Engineering at Rajamangala University of Technology, Thanyaburi, announced that her team had invented a mask that changes into three different colors according to one’s body temperature. Her team consists of Assistant Professor Sunee Hathaisiwong and her four-3rd year Textile Engineering students, Ms. Wichitra Suthadee, Ms. Mananya Champasri and Ms. Kanittha Suwannasilp. Dr. Nareerat further explained, elastic band that was attached to the mask has been dyed with a thermochromic dye that’s used for textiles – this contains thermochromic particles that are designed to change colors at certain temperatures. In this case, the mask changes to brown 35°C, black 37°C and blue 38°C.  In addition, she also revealed that the temperature sensitive mask would certainly protect and warn wearer in case they had high temperature of more than 37.5 degree Celsius as this could be the initial sign of fever.  During the experimental testing, the team had designated three different colors according to their critical temperature thresholds. If mask temperature thresholds were 35, 37, or 38 degree Celsius, then color would also change from brown, black, and to blue respectively. At the initial stage of the testing, elastic band has been dyed with a thermochromic dye that’s used for textiles – this contains thermochromic particles that are designed to change colors at certain temperatures. In this case, the mask changes to brown 35°C, black 37°C and blue 38°C. Beside focusing only on the thermochromic technology, Dr. Nareerat and her team also innovatively designed and developed their 3D face mask that possesses anti-static carbon fibre filtering system properties that protects consumers from bacteria. The mask is also going to be 100% made from cotton, be chemical free to prevent allergic reactions and resist to water.  For the safety of her research team members, Dr. Nareerat also added that mannequin was being used a subject for temperature testing due to reduce risk of exposing themselves to actual human with temperature during the Covid-19 pandemic.  She and her teams also expressed their ultimate goal that they were very hopeful to get this mask up and running to help screen out those with high temperature and thus, might be the first signal of Covid-19. The price of the mask was only 10 to 15 baht higher than those in the market. The mask could be washed with water and soap of more than 30 times. It could be concluded that this temperature sensitive mask developed from thermochromic technology is considered as part of many projects that help prevent the spread of Covid-19. Hopefully in an upcoming future, this mask would be making a breakthrough commercially and at the moment the mask had already received a patent.

For those interested in the temperature sensitive mask, please contact at 02 549 3450