The inventor of the N95 mask has come out of retirement to help develop a way to sanitize and reuse the product.
Peter Tsai, a researcher and material science and engineering professor, received a patent in 1995 for the key filtration tech used in the N95 mask.
We are currently using his fabric that revolutionized the industry.
Since the mask is running out of stock, different groups are coming up with different methods to create effective masks.
A volunteer research group called N95DECON has been looking for ways to decontaminate the masks for reuse. The group recently approached Tsai for the project.
I just want to help people, and just do my job, Tsai told Morning Edition. The front-line hospital workers — they are heroes. I’m just trying to help them to wear the mask.
