Sandia's testing capabilities benefit COVID-19 face mask developer

Sandia National Laboratories is working with Albuquerque manufacturing firm Marpac and Lovelace Health System to produce coronavirus-resistant face masks for health-care professionals that are as effective as standard N95 respiratory masks.

Marpac is a specialized sewing manufacturer that makes medical accessories to stabilize secure breathing and feeding tubes, plus custom-sewn products for individual clients. It also makes sleep apnea accessories, including face masks.

N95 masks are designed to achieve a very close facial fit to insulate the wearer from face contamination by airborne particles and liquids. But with the pandemic rapidly spreading nationwide, those masks are in short supply and materials to make them are going to traditional mask-making companies.

Marpac is designing its own masks with alternative materials that Sandia is testing to assure their effectiveness. The company has already sent the first batch of masks to Sandia, and it’s now working with Lovelace to try them out and provide feedback on any needed alterations.

Lovelace will use the masks first, with supplies expanding to other local medical facilities if they want them. Marpac employees are working extra shifts to produce 5,000 masks per week, and the company is reaching out to other companies around the state for the equipment needed to increase production, such as ultrasonic welding machines.

Read more: https://www.abqjournal.com/1440528/tech-startups-manufacturers-help-duri...