Materials Science Fair Dealing with Masks
Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 12:28 pm
So recently the world's been all crazed with the swine flu and all that it brings with it--paranoia and the like.
This led me to do some preliminary research on the different kinds of masks that are used throughout the world to "prevent" the flu.
I found that the N95 3M respirator mask is far more efficient than the regular surgical mask--though it costs more that 5 times the cost of the surgical mask. But my question begins here:
-My initial idea was to create an artificial breathing apparatus. Create a closed environment. Place particles like dirt, sand, and dust into the environment. And see how much of the initial particles were left after the trial.
-But that would mean that I would have to create the apparatus and then the closed environment--which at this point in my life I can't seem to figure out a way to do.
-How would I go about testing the efficiency of the masks? Is there a better way to do this? If so, would I have to create the breathing device?
-I've searched for ways to building a breathing device--but the most common way was to simply use humans, but that would be extremely difficult and impossible to complete in the time allotted. Also, there are extremely few other experiments out there on the internet with similar goals as mine.
-Or, what I might plan on doing, is there a way that I could turn this efficiency science fair into a materials project instead? Something to do with the materials of the different masks?
The last bolded section is the section that I am veering towards just because my past science fairs have always resulted in disaster.
Thanks for any help that is given!
This led me to do some preliminary research on the different kinds of masks that are used throughout the world to "prevent" the flu.
I found that the N95 3M respirator mask is far more efficient than the regular surgical mask--though it costs more that 5 times the cost of the surgical mask. But my question begins here:
-My initial idea was to create an artificial breathing apparatus. Create a closed environment. Place particles like dirt, sand, and dust into the environment. And see how much of the initial particles were left after the trial.
-But that would mean that I would have to create the apparatus and then the closed environment--which at this point in my life I can't seem to figure out a way to do.
-How would I go about testing the efficiency of the masks? Is there a better way to do this? If so, would I have to create the breathing device?
-I've searched for ways to building a breathing device--but the most common way was to simply use humans, but that would be extremely difficult and impossible to complete in the time allotted. Also, there are extremely few other experiments out there on the internet with similar goals as mine.
-Or, what I might plan on doing, is there a way that I could turn this efficiency science fair into a materials project instead? Something to do with the materials of the different masks?
The last bolded section is the section that I am veering towards just because my past science fairs have always resulted in disaster.
Thanks for any help that is given!