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Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women’s Hospital have designed a silicone rubber face mask that they believe could stop viral particles as effectively as N95 masks. The masks are based on the shape of the 3M 1860 style of N95 masks normally used at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Most of the mask is silicone rubber, and there is space for one or two N95 filters, which are designed to be replaced after every use, while the rest of the mask can be sterilized and reused. This image shows the mask on a mannequin head. Courtesy of the researchers

Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women’s Hospital have designed a silicone rubber face mask that they believe could stop viral particles as effectively as N95 masks. The masks are based on the shape of the 3M 1860 style of N95 masks normally used at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Most of the mask is silicone rubber, and there is space for one or two N95 filters, which are designed to be replaced after every use, while the rest of the mask can be sterilized and reused. This image shows the mask on a mannequin head. Courtesy of the researchers