Problem Statement:

COVID-19 has exposed the flawed N95 mask supply chain and created a dire need for PPE across the country.

Analysis:

As a nation we have become overly dependent on foreign manufacturing which leaves a huge gap in readily available PPE. The US needs an estimated 35 billion masks, but we only have 35 million in reserves as even though there are some production in the US, we rely mostly on foreign production which is halted in times of global crisis. First Responders and everyday Americans are being exposed to pathogens without proper protection. Due to lack of FDA cleared PPE, shelter in place has become the only viable solution, causing mass layoffs and closure of businesses. While hospital groups are slowly rebuilding their stockpiles of N95 respirators, first responders, military members, essential workers, and immunocompromised citizens are going without. Current masks are out of stock and price gouging is rampant.

Proposal:

Develop a 100% reusable half face mask of FDA cleared medical grade TPE. Acquire mass quantities of FDA cleared foreign made PTFE membrane filtration media while developing scalable US based filtration media.