PAPR Units
Making a PAPR unit from scratch (R+D)
Positive Pressure
Prior to COVID19, PAPRs (Powered Air-Purifying Respirators) were not in the limelight. They were primarily used for people who had beards which prohibited effective seals with an N95 or in extreme, localized outbreaks. But now they’re needed everywhere.
The PAPR is a critical device that must work. Besides the filter, the whole thing is about maintaining pressure. On the intake. In front of the face. Inhales and exhales. If you can make air flow reliably in one direction, then you have a safe environment.
Is there a way to make one where none exist?
We’re still in the R+D phase with this project, but working with Acrokin Engineering, Sewcial Distancing, and Blackmouth Designs to see if something is possible.
Our Best Leads
DIY PAPR Project
Folks in Seattle called Sewcial Distancing have reverse engineered a PAPR hood compatible with the 3M Versaflo unit, which can be used for other powered fan and filter combinations. The design is perfect but difficult to reproduce at scale.
How could you make them faster?
Stacked Filters
We’re working with Acrokin Engineering on the specs for a fan kit that would work with a stacked set of filters to achieve the filtration on volume of air necessary for multiple head units.
How can you pair these reliably?
Existing Materials
What Italian engineers did with adopting full-face snorkel masks for CPAP use might be applicable in making a viable PAPR device faster by co-opting unexpected and pre-manufactured materials.
What might be useable?
