Wearing masks has become part of our new norm, and the demand is high for effective safe materials and sanitation methods.

A Southwest Research Institute team is joining the effort pivoting from engine emissions to face coverings.

That's next on this episode of Technology Today.

Music episode of Technology Today. We live with technology, science, engineering, and the results of innovative research every day. Now, let's understand it better. You're listening to the

Technology Today podcast, presented by Southwest Research

Institute. Hello and welcome to Technology Today. I'm Lisa Benia. Many of us continue to work

from home this month, so we are recording this episode by phone. Our guest today is Dr. Imad

Kallick, an SWRI engineer and senior program manager. It's really interesting

how his team is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. He leads the Southwest Research Institute

particle emissions laboratory. It is the only accredited by the American Association

for Laboratory Accreditation to calibrate equipment

to ISO-1725 standards.

We'll explain what that means in a moment.

Now, this lab usually focuses on infant emissions.

Now they are shifting gears and testing masks material to make sure they are safe and effective for health care workers and eventually for the general public.

Thank you for speaking with us today, Imad.

So, Imad, we hear so much these days about businesses pivoting, manufacturing new items to respond to the pandemic,

and some of them even expanding services to meet the need that COVID-19 has created.

And your particle lab is doing the same thing.

Tell us how your team is shifting gears to test masks.

Yes, we started this about eight weeks ago, and the COVID-19 pandemic that led to a massive shortage in masks in the United States have enticed many organizations and individuals to start making their own masks.

One of the challenges is to ensure good filtration efficiency and flow resistance of these masks.

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