COVID-19: High-volume electrospinning of high-performance cellulose membranes required for N95-grade mask fabrication

In close collaboration with our industrial partners, we propose to exploit our understanding and control of polymer electrospinning, in order to produce high-performance polymer-based filter membranes deposited on medical-grade cellulose substrates. In turn, these high-performance filter membranes will be produced in high volumes by our industrial partners for the manufacturing of N95-grade protection masks essential in the context of the current pandemic. We propose to use medical grade cellulose substrates in order to deposit a biocompatible electrospun fiber layer. In order to achieve N95-grade specifications, the electrospun film will have to be fused into a denser self-sustaining membrane filter using one of four techniques readily accessible by our team. As such, the key research objective of this MITACS project will be to design, assemble and test a new process and system capable of producing small (research-grade) batches up-to 6 m2 of consolidated N95-grade membrane per hour.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sylvain Cloutier

Student:

Partner:

KWI Polymers

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

École de technologie supérieure

Program: