The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched a competition to develop “the next generation of masks”. The winning entry received a cash prize of $ 500,000.
The competition – “Mask Innovation Challenge: Building Tomorrow’s Mask” – is a partnership between HHS’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
In the AnnouncementHHS notes that many health authorities around the world are encouraging people to wear masks to stop the spread of infectious diseases, but masks often present some challenges, such as: “contact dermatitis with prolonged wear, physical discomfort, fogged glasses and communication problems.”
“The Mask Innovation Challenge aims to develop innovative and effective designs for mass-produced, low-cost devices that can be worn by the general public to provide protection against respiratory pathogens,” said the HHS in describing the competition. .
The submitted designs are assessed on four criteria: technological feasibility; innovation; whether or not they address existing mask barriers; and the overall design.
The competition is divided into two different phases and lasts six months.
In phase 1, participants will submit their designs to BARDA. The submission time for mask design entries began on Wednesday, March 31, and ends on April 21, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Entries can be entered hereIn Phase 1, up to 10 winners will each receive up to $ 10,000 each to prototype their masks.
In phase 2 of the competition, contestants will be asked to submit their proof-of-concept in response to a scenario. A prize of $ 400,000 will be shared among five Phase 2 winners. More information about Phase 2 will be shared in the future as the competition progresses.
More details about the competition can be found here.