Masks and the spread of droplets and airborne virions

22 September 2023, Version 1

Abstract

A brief review of poroelasticity is first presented. A mathematical model of a double compressible mask is formulated and is solved analytically. The permeability of each mask and the pressure difference across the double mask are obtained. Suitable scales for the fluid flux, permeability and pressure are introduced. The steady state flow-through behaviour under flow-out conditions was analysed. Th results showed that the reduction in permeability required to produce a relatively impermeable mask under high flux expulsion (sneezing) conditions could be achieved using either a single filter compressible mask or two filters with different poroelastic parameters. The poroelastic parameters can be more easily adjusted using a double mask.

Content

Supplementary materials

Response to the comments of the Reviewer
The changes made to the Report in response to the comments of the Reviewer are listed

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