The Department of Health and Human Services is launching an innovative contest in search of mask designs that can filter respiratory secretions while helping prevent disease transmission to others. The contest, dubbed the Mask Innovation Challenge asking to “Build Tomorrow’s Mask,” includes prizes totaling $500,000.
Specifically, HHS is looking for innovative designs that overcome some of the “barriers” of mask-wearing, such as contact dermatitis with prolonged wear, physical discomfort, fogging of eyeglasses and difficulty communicating. New mask designs will seek to improve comfort, utility and protection for day-to-day activities while wearing masks.
“Overall, there is a need to develop better designs, materials, and technologies that are more acceptable to wearers and that ensure quantified measures of performance,” the challenge notes.
The challenge comes from BARDA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). It has a timeline of at least six months, divided into two phases. Phase 1 is eligible for all respondents, while Phase 2 includes the final judging round, though participation in Phase 1 is not required. Winners in Phase 1 are eligible to receive additional points in Phase 2, according to HHS.
Within Phase 1, up to 40 regional winners will be selected to the DRIVe Accelerator Network Product Pitch Competition to present in front of a panel of federal and non-federal experts. Up to 10 of these participants will be eligible to win $10,000 to create a prototype of their design.
In Phase 2, participants are asked to present proof of concept and submit their solutions in response to a scenario. Finalists can submit prototypes of their design for proof-of-concept testing by NIOSH laboratories and other labs.
Another $400,000 will be divided among five winners. Entries for Phase 1 are due April 2.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."