Taiwanese-American N95 mask inventor puts retirement on hold to help fight Covid-19 outbreak

Peter Tsai, the scientist and engineer who developed the N95 mask’s virus-blocking technology, is helping steer fresh research amid the pandemic

His latest work has focused on how to make N95 masks last longer by finding ways to disinfect and reuse them

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The N95 mask uses fabric that blocks at least 95 per cent of submicron particles such as viruses. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:00pm, 18 May 2020Updated: 7:00pm, 18 May 2020

Frontline health workers and regular people alike owe one of their key safety items to Taiwanese-American scientist Peter Tsai and his team. Three decades ago they invented the N95 mask, which uses fabric to block at least 95 per cent of submicron particles such as viruses.

As the coronavirus pandemic grips the world, research institutions and companies in the personal protective equipment (PPE) industry have found renewed interest in Tsai’s work, and he has become a go-to expert.

“I’m bombarded with questions,” says the 68-year-old, who retired last year from the University of Tennessee in the US only to come back to work in March as the pandemic spread. “My customers are based around the world. I work around the clock.”

Demand for face masks has skyrocketed, as they play a key role in protecting those who wear them against the virus. Where supplies are scarce, companies see an opportunity to make their own, or find ways to reuse existing ones.