Challenge
Create a respirator that prioritizes form as well as function.
Approach
We designed a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) helmet with a removable full-face visor and a neck seal for comfort. A large, cap-shaped HEPA filter reduces flow restriction, motor speed and the noise that comes with them. Peltier coolers, a digital thermostat and an ultrasonic humidifier condition the air, and noise-cancelling headphone inserts treat sound as one more environmental factor to filter. A commissioned custom vacuum-forming machine, with molds and tooling, supported a small-batch assembly line during the pandemic.
Highlights
- A one-way mirror and LED bezel create privacy at the touch of a button.
- Optional onboard air-quality sensors alert the wearer when it is time to put the helmet on.
- GPS logging builds a historical, crowdsourced air-quality map.