Airborne droplets which cause illnesses such as the cold, flu, or COVID-19 are easily spread or contracted through the nose and mouth. Face masks are strictly designed to block airborne pathogens. Washable fabric masks provide lower levels of protection while single-use medical-grade masks provide higher levels. Existing face masks from homemade to medical grade provide varying levels of passive protection but do not solve the problems people complain about most often (other than wearing a mask in the first place): 1. Difficult to breathe 2. Anti-social (no facial expressions, no reading lips for hearing impaired) 3. Doesn’t fit well 4. Painful (irritates face or ears) 5. Fogs glasses 6. Interferes with hair or facial hair 7. Not eco-friendly
UVertek's face mask: 1. We use high-intensity UV-C light to inactivate airborne pathogens as you breathe in and out of the mask so it protects both ways. 2. The mask automatically varies the UV-C intensity to match your respiration rate. It doesn’t matter if you’re sitting still or running up a hill; and there are no filters or layers of fabric to restrict your airflow. 3. The mask is clear so people can see your facial expressions, you can unlock your devices, and the hearing impaired can read your lips. 4. Since the airflow isn’t restricted, the mask doesn’t have to be smashed to your face, it won’t fog your glasses or interfere with facial hair or hair styles. 5. It has a flexible wire frame to adjust the fit to your specific face shape; simply run your fingers along the wire. 6. It has a microphone and Bluetooth to connect to devices and external speakers. 7. It monitors your usage and health information (e.g., body temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, O2 levels) and can report this to the UVertek app. Anonymized data can be licensed and accessed through a custom API. 8. Unlike single-use masks or replaceable-filter masks (i.e., biohazard material that ends up in landfills and oceans), there are no consumables with our mask. You buy it once and that’s it... it cleans with soap and water and is top-drawer dishwasher safe. 9. Since the mask doesn't filter anything, but rather inactivates pathogens, we are exploring the possibility that the mask may also kickstart an immune response. “The most exciting element for me as a physician is the potential to induce a favorable immune response by exposing the mask wearer to low-risk neutralized pathogens.” - Dr Bryan McRae, Center for Medical Innovation, University of Utah. This sentiment is echoed by our medical & science advisors, including immunologists, epidemiologists, contact tracing experts, and the like. 10. Finally, there's a visible and audible alarm for low-battery or malfunction (e.g., air volume in & out don’t match if the mask is not seated properly) so you can be confident the mask is working.