Prof Islam Shyha I.Shyha@napier.ac.uk
Professor
Prof Islam Shyha I.Shyha@napier.ac.uk
Professor
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, facemasks have been in short supply in particular for health care workers who should be fully safeguarded to protect health system from being overwhelmed. The world remains on high alert because of rising concerns on the availability and efficiency of available facemasks, especially with the expected second and possibly third pandemic waves. Therefore, individuals will need efficient and affordable facemasks for protection against respirable viruses. Several methods for disinfecting masks were investigated including heating, UV exposure, hydrogen peroxide exposure, and alcohols aiming to improve their performance and reusability. Typically, masks lose filtration and protection efficiency after a few cycles of sterilization due to the dissipation of electrostatic charge on the active layer in surgical masks which reduces the capability to capture smaller particles. Therefore, our ambitious and collaborative project between Northumbria University (NU) and Alexandria University (AU) aims to develop ultra-high elastic piezoelectric nanofibrous membrane able to efficiently catch respirable viruses and bacteria as well as recover its static charges after numerous sterilization cycles through the application of mechanical forces (e.g. stretching mask edges repeatedly). The project also aims to maximize the impact of our previously funded Newton Fund project and stimulate new routes to impact by fabricating such flexible membranes and consequently novel masks (will be called PiezoACT Masks). PiezoACT masks are washable and reusable which will greatly support the Egyptian economy as well as benefit low-income families and vulnerable populations who cannot afford to purchase disposable masks regularly due to the high accumulated cost. Further impacts of the PiezoACT membrane can be also seen in a wide range of sectors including air-purifying units in public transportation, shopping malls, and the aviation industry.
Type of Project | P04 - Research Charities and Trusts |
---|---|
Status | Project Complete |
Funder(s) | British Council |
Value | £79,920.00 |
Project Dates | Jan 1, 2022 - Dec 31, 2022 |
An Innovative Method for Producing Ultra-High Elastic Piezoelectric Nanofibrous Composites Layers using Solution-Blowing Technique Dec 1, 2020 - Dec 31, 2021
The project has an ambitious aim to develop an innovative semi-industrial system based on a solution-blowing spinning (SBS) technique to produce ultra-high elastic piezoelectric (UHEP) nano-structures. These structures have diverse applications such...
Read More about An Innovative Method for Producing Ultra-High Elastic Piezoelectric Nanofibrous Composites Layers using Solution-Blowing Technique.
Going Global Partnerships (GGP) Grant Mar 1, 2022 - Sep 30, 2023
This is a British Council fund to support internationalisation activities including the development of new TNE programmes.
The project aims to build a solid and long-lasting partnership between ENU and AASTMT that extends beyond ordinary collabora...
Read More about Going Global Partnerships (GGP) Grant.
Innovative energy harvesting solutions for cyber-secured green buildings Oct 1, 2022 - Dec 31, 2025
This adventurous and multidisciplinary project aims to develop new techniques for harvesting energy from footsteps and acoustic energy sources (zero-net resources such as footstep mats, flexible solar panels, and sound detection) that can be used in...
Read More about Innovative energy harvesting solutions for cyber-secured green buildings.
TNE Development Nov 27, 2023 - Mar 31, 2026
To help ensure our sustainability efforts have quantifiable impacts, this project aims to:
•Enabling research: supporting research, knowledge and innovation collaborations to address climate change local and global challenges and promote inclusive...
Read More about TNE Development.
BE-ZERO Jan 1, 2024 - Feb 28, 2026
Our existing project with Ain Shams University (CRUISE) aims to foster industry-university partnerships by embedding the UK apprenticeship scheme into the Egyptian Engineering curriculum. It focused on reviewing and co-creating selected Engineering c...
Read More about BE-ZERO.
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