Will the Ultra Vee Mask kill the coronavirus?
In a study published by the American Society for Microbiology Journals, it is stated that: “UVC LED, an innovative technology, can effectively inactivate microorganisms regardless of taxonomic classification”:
https://aem.asm.org/content/84/17/e00944-18
Coronaviruses have been found to be especially sensitive to UVC radiation: “The susceptibility of coronavirus aerosols was 7-10 times that of the MS2 and adenovirus aerosols.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17822117
Coronaviruses are single strand RNA viruses, which can typically be inactivated with 2.6-6.4 mJ/cm2 of UVC fluence for a 2-log (99%) reduction.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17474029
The Ultra Vee Mask uses a highly specialized, high output UVC LED. Combined with out patent pending technology, the Ultra Vee Mask is able to achieve the levels of radiant exposure required to inactivate ~99.9% of ssRNA viruses and other pathogens in just .6 seconds while they are still in the air. While nothing can provide 100% protection against infection, the Ultra Vee Mask is the only mask which actually is able to actively inactivate viruses from the air you breathe.
How does the Ultra Vee Mask compare to N95 masks and surgical masks?
N95 masks and surgical masks rely on mechanical means to filter out pathogens and particles from the air you breathe. Some studies show that as much as 6-80% of virions (complete viruses) still are able to penetrate N95 masks and surgical masks respectively:
https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(05)00911-9/pdf
Surgical masks, N95 masks, N99 masks, and even N100 masks are designed to filter out particles that are 300nm or larger. However virions are much smaller. Coronaviruses are typically around 125nm in size. Therefore, although mechanical filtration may reduce the quantity of pathogens you breathe in, a significant number of pathogens may still pass through the mask and into your lungs.
The Ultra Vee Mask uses the most powerful Ultraviolet C (UVC) LED available combined with our patent pending technology to inactivate over 99.99% of ssRNA viruses (such as coronaviruses) and other pathogens from the air you breath.
Why are the masks so expensive?
The Ultra Vee Mask is actually priced well below comparable professional grade medical equipment. We have made the conscious decision to price our masks so that in can be affordable to as many as possible, while also providing enough margin so that we can ramp up production as fast as possible to protect as many people as possible and obtain any needed certifications. The LED alone runs $100 but is made in America and outclasses all other UVC LEDs in power output, operating life, safety (does not produce ozone) and efficiency. The Ultra Vee Mask is Made in America and CNC machined from aircraft aluminum instead of plastics to provide maximum durability in the harsh UVC environment.
How does the copper screen kill germs?
Studies show that copper is germicidal and effective against both bacteria and viruses: “Copper can kill viruses and other germs by disrupting the protective layers of the organisms and interfering with its vital processes. A new study found that SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the coronavirus pandemic, is no longer infectious on copper within 4 hours, whereas it can survive on plastic surfaces for 72 hours.”
https://www.insider.com/does-copper-kill-germs-and-viruses
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2004973?query=featured_home
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4561453/
https://aem.asm.org/content/73/8/2748
How heavy is the Ultra Vee Mask?
The prototype Ultra Vee Air Sterilizing Unit is 12 oz, but the production model will be improved to weigh 8oz or less which is the same as many existing canisters. Please let us know how you intend on using it so that we can improve our designs to fit your needs.