A smart face-shield with active defogging against coronaVirus

Abstract

This work presents the development of an individual protection device, a smart and active ventilated face shield that can also incorporate an air filtering system. The device can work with the front shield or just with the ventilation structure. The system was produced by additive manufacturing technology, based on a chassis that incorporates an electronic control unit, a rechargeable battery, a fan, and a humidity/temperature sensor. The performed system tests showed that the forced ventilation system prevents fogging even in the most adverse situations and increases user comfort when it is used simultaneously with an individual protective face mask, due to the air flow generated by the integrated fan. The filtered ventilated air guarantees the user's safety. Results also show that, with or without the front visor, the equipment prevents fogging, both on the face shield and glasses for users who wear them. The forced air flow promotes isolation of the breathing zone, decreasing the contact with potentially contaminated aerosols, thus reducing the risk of contagion.