Masks

Gaming brand Razer looks to the future of face masks with its Project Hazel, a reusable transparent mask concept with detachable filters, a built-in mic and amplifier, and Chroma RGB LED lights for those keen on embracing some cyberpunk techno flair.

A new flow visualization study from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) starkly demonstrates why face masks with exhalation valves are not effective for slowing the spread of COVID-19.

With people wearing masks so much of the time now, it can be difficult to tell what expression is on someone's face. A new system can reportedly do so, though, utilizing cameras mounted on their headphones.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have leveraged recent advances in 3D printing to produce electronic fibers that could be used as sensors for health monitoring, all while being invisible to the naked eye.

Face masks are here to stay for a while yet – so you might as well have some fun with them. The JabberMask is a voice-activated wearable packed with LEDs that move like a mouth in time with your speech, and can smile or display emojis on demand.

A new study modeling how effective face shields and face masks with exhaust-valves are in blocking the dispersal of aerosol-sized droplets suggests the growing use of these alternative face coverings may not be helpful in curbing the spread of COVID-19.

Korean electronics giant LG has adapted its home air purifying technology into a battery-powered, air purifying face mask with twin H13 HEPA filters, multi-speed fans and a UV-LED sterilizing case. But there's still a lot we don't know.

When tracking a sleeping person's eye movements, you typically have to stick hard-wired electrodes onto their face. Soon, however, an unobtrusive flexible mask could do the job – while also measuring their heart rate.

Scientists have tested how effectively different face mask materials reduce the spread of respiratory droplets during speech. The research suggests some alternative face mask options offer little protection, and could be more harmful than wearing no mask at all.

A new study from NIST has tested how accurately commercial facial recognition algorithms can identify people wearing protective face masks, revealing some commercially used systems fail at authenticating masked faces up to 50 percent of the time.

A newly published review has concluded there is no evidence to suggest wearing a face mask to protect against COVID-19 transmission leads to lower levels of compliance with other hygiene measures such as social distancing and hand washing.

For people used to relying on facial expressions to effectively communicate, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic how are masks changing the way we interact? And what can we do to compensate for losing that all-important smile?