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Transparent Mask

Transparent Mask

The 12° Mask is a transparent mask designed to safeguard the health and to offer a panoramic view of the wearer's facial expressions and other visual cues.

The Issue

Everyone has to wear a mask to curb the spread of COVID-19. However, this presents an obstacle to hearing-impaired persons as wearing face masks prevents lip-reading and hamper their ability to communicate and receive information during the coronavirus pandemic. Other than that, service providers, such as doctors, counselors, polices, and social workers, rely on verbal and facial expressions to ensure their messages are delivered as accurately as possible. 

However, most transparent face masks available fail to meet protection standards, and that semi-transparent face masks with anti-pathogen properties reflect and fog up. Also, the transparent surface area is not large enough to reduce the communication challenges of the users.

In view of these pain points, Lingnan Entrepreneurship Initiative (LEI) develops a fully transparent face mask, namely 12° Mask. The development of the 12° Mask exemplifies the humanitarian technology approach since the design principle prioritizes the needs of neglected communities (such as the deaf and special education need students) and their service providers.

LU Mask

Product Features

  • Ultra-Low Reflection: Inspired by the geometry of stealth fighter jets, the face shield of the 12° Mask combines flat polygonal panes and low protrusion surfaces to minimize reflection.
  • Reliable Protection & Breathability: Disposable low-cost H13 HEPA Filter blocks 99.95% of viruses while achieving high breathability.
  • Wide Viewing Angle: Unobstructed side panes allow a panoramic view of the wearer's face and lip movement.
  • Quick Release Anchors: It allows ear-hook and headbands wearing, which can significantly reduce the burden on people who wear hearing aids for prolonged periods. It also addresses the specific needs of microtia patients and those who need to wear a headscarf.
  • Renewable Antiviral Coating: Durable and wipeable with alcohol and water.
  • Laugh Out Loud: Flexible silicon seal provides a comfortable and accommodates enthusiastic facial expressions.

 

Transparent Mask
The team designs a reusable fully transparent anti-COVID-19 face mask that addresses the deficiency of existing transparent masks in the market. 
Transparent Mask
The team collaborates with The Hong Kong Society for the Deaf to design a transparent face mask based on the needs of hearing-impaired people.

Award(s)

  • Gold award in MUSE Design Award 2021 (Category: Conceptual Design)
  • Silver award in the 48th Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions

Looking Forward

The mark was donated to people in need with the support of different donations. It was manufactured and commercialized in 2022 and 2023. 

However, the team is now seeking financial support for the mass production of the transparent face mask so it can be made widely available to the public and help people with hearing loss to read lips, show their smiles, and communicate effectively. The next target is to further develop and extend the transparent face mask to other professionals such as teachers, sign language interpreters, speech therapists, and related service workers, providing them a more environmentally friendly and inclusive option.

For Purchase

http://www.12-mask.com

 

Media

05/2021

Reusable and fully transparent filter mask developed by Lingnan University to help the hearing impaired community

Dimsum Daily

05/2021

Lingnan University in Hong Kong designs reusable transparent anti-COVID-19 face mask to promote barrier-free communication for people with hearing loss

Asia Research News

05/2021

嶺大研發新款可重用全透明口罩 方便聽障人士讀唇溝通 [影片報導]

TVB News

05/2021

嶺大研發全透明過濾口罩 協助聽障人士日常交流 [影片報導]

RTHK

05/2021

嶺大研發可重用透明口罩 助聽障人士溝通 有聾人組織倡免費派予前線人員 [影片報導]

i-CABLE News

05/2021

香港嶺南大學研透明口罩助聽障人士讀唇語 [影片報導]

Feng Shows

05/2021

嶺大研發可重用全透明過濾口罩 助聽障人士無障礙溝通

The Hong Kong Society for the Deaf

05/2021

【全透明口罩】嶺大研發可重用透明口罩助聽障人士溝通 料售價低於200元一個

ToPick.hket

05/2021

新冠肺炎|嶺大研發可重用透明過濾口罩 助聽障人士讀唇溝通

Sky Post

05/2021

嶺大研發透明罩 助聽障者睇口型

Wen Wei Po

08/2021

Reusable face mask to promote barrier-free communication for people with hearing loss

QS Global Education News

09/2021

嶺大“輪椅把手感應系統”揚威國際

Ta Kung Pao

10/2021

Read my lips: Transparent COVID face masks to ease the communication barrier in Hong Kong

Euronews

04/2022

嶺大研發可重用透明膠口罩 抗菌濾毒防霧氣 助聽障人士疫下讀唇 [影片報導] 

i-CABLE News 

 

 

For enquiry or collaboration opportunities, please contact us at lei@ln.edu.hk