At present when the world is at the war against a deadly virus COVID19, face masks along with other hygienic equipment have become a daily life necessity. You won’t see people roaming around in peace without any care for taking precautions against Coronavirus; instead, they wear masks to protect themselves from coming in contact with this disease which has proven to spread via airborne droplets. Wearing masks while going out even for a mere morning walk has become a norm these days due to the public’s awareness of overall health globally.
Whereat one end Coronavirus badly impacted almost every business and occupation around the world, on the other hand, its outbreak significantly increased the growth of the hygiene product industry at an exemplary rate. LG didn’t render itself from exploiting this opportunity and came up with the best idea of a battery-powered facemask, the use of which is more likely to bring a fortune to the company’s business.
The company has officially announced this face mask as a portable air purifier and showed off its innovation at the IFA trade show (Internationale Funkausstellung) held in Berlin where electronic companies selling products like smartphones, home appliances, laptops, etc. show off their latest innovations every year. LG used its experience of air purifying machines to develop an electronic mask. “At a time when consumers are seeking ways to make life safer and more convenient, it’s important that we’re able to offer solutions that add measurable value,” said Dan Song, president of LG’s home appliance and air solutions arm.
Design and working of the LG PuriCare Wearable air purifiers:
LG collaborated with Korea University for designing this mask that perfectly fits the human face and snuggles around the chin and nose preventing any air leakage (ergonomic design). This device integrates 2 replaceable high-quality HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters, kind of air filters which forces air through a fine mesh trapping 99.97% of dust particles 0.3 microns in size and helps to supply clean fresh air to the user. Under the filters, there are 820-mAh battery-powered dual fans enabled to control the amount of air going in or out. An algorithm applied to the fan increases its speed to let in more air when the user breathes in. The consumer electronics giant in its press release said “With its Dual Fans … [the] wearable air purifier allows users to take in clean, filtered air,”
The sensors featured in it help adjust the pressure of air which makes breathing effortless. The battery life is up to 2 hours when working on high mode while it can last up to 8 hours on low mode. The lightweight of the device eases its daily use.
LG said
“With its Dual Fans and patented Respiratory Sensor, LG’s wearable air purifier allows users to take in clean, filtered air while the Respiratory Sensor detects the cycle and volume of the wearer’s breath and adjusts the dual three-speed fans accordingly. The fans automatically speed up to assist air intake and slow down to reduce resistance when exhaling to make breathing effortless,”
The mask comes with a special case in the retail box equipped with UV-LED lights which help to kill the harmful germs and also charge the mask when the user keeps it in the case in between uses. The case is also enabled with the feature that sends a notification about replacing the filters or charging the mask to the LG ThinQ mobile app (downloadable from play store or Appstore for iPhone users).
The company adds that all the components of this facemask, from filters to the ear straps are ecofriendly, recyclable as well as replaceable.
Is the mask medically approved to protect from Coronavirus?
The announcement of the mask didn’t include any update about protecting COVID-19, including whether it filters the air we exhale or not, as the USA’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends against the use of masks with exhalation vents since they don’t filter the expelled respiratory droplets and increase the chances of infecting the people nearby the user. LG imposed that they are still waiting until testing and certification to give the full details regarding the issue.
Gam–Gyu Lee, executive vice president at LG Electronics said “Amid the protracting COVID-19 pandemic, the company hopes the electronic mask helps medical staff who have to work wearing masks for many hours,”
Although the mask doesn’t prove to be protectant against coronavirus it likely has greater chances of becoming the new trend of facemask fashion.
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