Reusable, N95 alternative face mask developed by a collaborative team hits production

Jun 11, 2020

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the resulting need for PPE, a diverse team consisting of engineers, designers, clinicians, technicians, molders, among other entities, concentrated their intellects and efforts towards the rapid deployment and mass manufacture of an “open hardware, reusable, sterilizable, modular, and filter-media agnostic face mask that aims to hit the N95 efficacy criteria." An interview with Matt Carney (co-lead of the project and postdoctoral researcher at the MIT Media Lab) on the front porch of his home in Somerville, MA, sheds light on specific aspects of the creation process.

Starting in early June 2020, the “Open Standard Respirator, Model 1” has entered large scale production phases in the US, Portugal, and expanding to Columbia and Brazil.