Virustatic launched their flagship product, a breathable face covering called the Virustatic(r) SHIELD, in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Extensive laboratory testing and user feedback combined to give an excellent body of evidence that the SHIELD offers greater breathability than other commercial face coverings while retaining its viral aerosol filtration efficacy due to the use of a novel antiviral coating that improved filtration and reusability. However, full quantitative analysis of real-world filtration efficacy of face masks of all designs for infectious viral aerosols has not, to our knowledge, been achieved in its entirety. Pandemic preparedness has now been recognised as being of utmost importance due to the global experience of Covid-19\. Despite this, all standardised testing for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) face coverings has either been focussed on manual work (where filtration of solid particles is the key) or in a hospital setting for large liquid droplets, but without a focus on filtering airborne pathogenic aerosols. It is our opinion that the current standard testing for PPE face coverings does not adequately test the efficacy of face coverings for practical applications, considering fit, leakage and viral aerosol capture. New tests that consider these issues will not only give valuable information on existing face masks, but also provide a better understanding of how different parameters such as material choice, structure, active coatings and form fit could inform the design of novel face coverings. There are currently no tools, either experimental or computational, available to designers and innovators to predict how different design choices will affect the actual real-world efficacy of their face masks. The aim of this project is to design and test a novel method for describing face covering efficacy for viral aerosol filtration so that we have better tools to design and test the best face coverings for future pandemics. In support of this we will also develop a modelling suite to understand how different design parameters effect filtration efficacy to aid in the design for new innovative solutions to pandemic prevention.

This project aims to finalise the formulation and manufacturing specification for a layer of natural proteins to be applied to feminine hygiene products - tampons, pantyliners and sanitary towels - to maintain good vaginal flora balance. This can then be licensed out on a commercial basis for manufacturers to add to their products.