Vietnamese students turn bagasse into decomposition medical masks

One kilogram of raw bagasse can be used to make 5 three-layer masks that can protect users from dust and UV rays thanks to added chitin and nano-silver layers.
April 24, 2021 | 08:03
First Vietnamese candidate earning a high award at American Mathematics Olympiads First Vietnamese candidate earning a high award at American Mathematics Olympiads
Vietnam's image broadly delivered to international friends on social networks in 2020 Vietnam's image broadly delivered to international friends on social networks in 2020
Vietnam ranks fourth in number of international students studying in Australia 2020 Vietnam ranks fourth in number of international students studying in Australia 2020
Vietnamese students turn bagasse into decomposition medical masks
Photo: Bao Moi

After several times seeing piles of bagasse waiting to be taken away while sitting at a street soft drink shop near his university, Pham Van Thinh, a fourth-year student at Duy Tan University, came up with the idea to make use of the bagasse. Studying economy, Thinh understands little biochemistry. He, therefore, came to friends in Nursing Faculty to share the idea. Knowing that bagasse can decompose in the natural environment after about 30-60 days because it contains cellulose fibers, the group came up with the idea of using bagasse to make medical masks that is easier to decompose than conventional products, which helps reduce environmental pollution.

Early March 2020, Thinh and his friends seek ingredient sources from soft drink shops in their residence. According to Thinh, at the beginning stage, the group felt shy as no one believed that bagasse could be turned into medical masks. "At that time, we still did not know whether we could succeed with the final product, we only knew to try our best," said Thinh.

All further process was done in a laboratory that their university allowed them to use at the end of the school days. Bagasse was soaked with water, then boiled with caustic soda to turn into small fibers. At the end of this process, the group received a clear white liquid, which was then filtered to get the pure residue. This ingredient was further laminating and drying. "The finished product is thin, old yellow materials with no smell", Thinh said.

Vietnamese students turn bagasse into decomposition medical masks
Photo: VN Express

However, due to its cellulose content, this material was absorbent and easily damaged. It took the group a month for further research. Thanks to the advice from the university's teachers, the group knew that they had to make a thin chitin layer from the shrimp shell, which resistant to water and antibacterial. Chitin was added to the outermost layer of the mask.

Through several tests, the chitin layer did not stay attached to the inside layers, making it difficult for the group at this first stage because this problem meant their mask could not resist water. "We then found out that the shrimp shell should have been ground more finely", Thinh said.

The second layer of the mask was then mixed with activated carbon and nanosilver to help prevent dust and bacteria. The tightly knit cellulose fibers combined with these two protective membranes can block 3-5 micrometers of microscopic droplets. The inner layer, which directly touched the users' skins, was compressed into a porous form to make the fabric softer, avoid causing irritation.

After 7 months of production, the first masks were sent to teachers and the group's friends, who then feedbacked that they found the mask breathable while causing no itching. Thinh said, the team sent samples to a number of hospitals and centers to test and evaluate the safety of the masks' material, and then improved the masks according to experts' opinion.

"If we can bring the products to the market, their selling price will be about VND 4,000 (USD 0,17) per mask. There are a number of companies who contacted the university, hoping to develop our products," Thinh shared.

Vietnamese students in Japan donate books to help children in remote regions Vietnamese students in Japan donate books to help children in remote regions

Following the success of the 2020 VYSA CHARITY BOOK , the Vietnam Youth and Student Association in Japan continues to hold the event to help ...

Young Asian Chess Cup champion wins VND 3.3 billion scholarship Young Asian Chess Cup champion wins VND 3.3 billion scholarship

With impressive study results, young Asian Chess champion 2019 Nghiem Thao Tam, 18, won a scholarship of VND 3.3 billion (nearly $170,000) to study computer ...

Memorable experience of Vietnamese tourists in the deepest lake of the world Memorable experience of Vietnamese tourists in the deepest lake of the world

Vietnamese tourists have experienced unforgettable memories when visiting Lake Baikal, the deepest one in its kind of the world.

Valerie Mai
Phiên bản di động