Developed by MIT researchers, the sensor measures physical contact between the mask and the wearer’s face and can be applied to any kind of mask.
Using this sensor, the researchers analysed the fit of surgical masks on male and female subjects, and found that overall, the masks fit women’s faces much less closely than they fit men’s faces.
“What we realized by analysing our collected data from the individuals in the study was that the masks that we use in daily life are not very suitable for female participants,” said Canan Dagdeviren, corresponding author of the study.
The researchers hope that their sensor will help people to find masks that fit them better, and that designers could use it to create masks that fit a wider variety of face shapes and sizes.
The sensor can also be used to monitor vital signs such as breathing rate and temperature, as well as environmental conditions such as humidity.
The researchers began working on this project before...