Since the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks have become essential, yet they've faced criticism for comfort, communication barriers, and environmental impact. A spin-off from Switzerland's EPFL has developed HelloMask—a transparent, flexible, durable, and recyclable alternative.
In Western societies, masks—typically seen only in medical settings—often feel restrictive. They can hinder breathing, muffle speech, and strain social interactions by hiding facial expressions. Recent reports from NGOs have also highlighted the pollution from discarded masks, prompting fines in places like France for littering them in public spaces.
HMCARE, a spin-off from EPFL's EssentialTech Center in Lausanne, Switzerland, created HelloMask to address these challenges. Slated for release in 2021, the startup raised nearly €950,000 to scale production and refine the design. Notably, this innovation dates back to a 2018 press release, predating the pandemic.
Unlike online prototypes with foggy, non-porous transparent panels that impede airflow, HelloMask uses a proprietary polymer that's transparent, porous, and robust. EPFL researchers engineered nanoscale interstices—around 100 nanometers—to allow air passage while blocking viruses and bacteria, matching standards of conventional masks.
For eco-friendliness, traditional masks rely on non-biodegradable polypropylene from petroleum, which is hard to recycle. HelloMask's membrane is 99% biomass-derived, with ongoing refinements for full compatibility. Produced via electrospinning—stretching polymer fibers in an electric field—this method enables efficient, large-scale manufacturing.
Priced 15-20% higher than standard surgical masks, HelloMask remains an accessible, high-performance option backed by EPFL's renowned expertise.
