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Korean researchers have developed a new technology that can solve the mask turmoil. We developed a so-called 'nano mask filter' that maintains its performance even after sucking it more than 20 times, and is currently waiting for approval for use.

Reporter Lee Yong-sik covered.

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It is a mask filter with nanofibers between thin non-woven fabrics.

This mask filter with KF94 performance was immersed in ethanol for more than 3 hours, or washed 20 times to test the performance.

When the fine particles were passed through the filter, the filtration efficiency was maintained over 94% compared to the first.

The same was true with 20 washes with soap or hands.

[Doo-Young Yoon / KAIST Researcher: As you can see, there are many differences between the 600 nanoparticles before and after the filter.

Even if the filter was bent and unfolded 4,000 times, it retained more than 80% blocking effect like the KF80.

The secret of performance lies in the nanofibers of one billionth of a meter.

The existing mask filter uses an electrostatic filter to filter out fine particles. When it comes into contact with water or high humidity, the static electricity disappears and cannot be used for a long time.

However, the new filter does not melt or change well by blocking the fine particles by arranging the nanofibers more densely and precisely without an electrostatic filter.

[Kim Il-Doo / KAIST Professor of New Materials Engineering: We used the technology of electrospinning. It is a well-known technology that can synthesize nanofibers.]

The filter can be used by putting it in and removing it from a cotton mask.

Professor Kim's research team is preparing to approve the new technology of nanofiber mask to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

Upon approval for use, the research team plans to increase the daily production volume from 1,500 sheets to 50,000 sheets in a month.