In 2020, the InterPore Foundation launched a global competition inviting graduate students to submit proposals for Innovative Ideas to Design and/or Improve Facemasks aimed at protecting against airborne bacteria and viruses.

The initiative drew a wide array of creative and scientifically rigorous submissions. Each proposal was evaluated by a panel of experts based on intellectual novelty, functionality, practicality, and cost-effectiveness. Submissions were limited to three pages and accompanied by a two-minute video presentation. To further share these innovative ideas, all proposals deemed noteworthy by the review committee—along with their video pitches—were made available to the public through a dedicated online platform.

And the Winner is...

Seyyed Ali Ghoreishy, Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary

The task force that evaluated all submitted proposals offered the following verdict:

Ghoreishy’s proposal, entitled “Nature Driven Designs for the New Generation of Self-Cleaning Face Masks” is novel. He has identified an actual issue that has been ignored by many. It is an area that has significant merit if implemented correctly. With proper mentoring, his approach can be developed in order to produce something potentially worthwhile.

The full proposal is available for viewing [here]. (Insert link)

Ghoreishy received a €1500 cash prize and was invited to present his PhD research at the InterPore Annual Meeting in Edinburgh, UK, held from 31 May to 3 June 2021. The InterPore Foundation also covered his conference registration and accommodation expenses.

The InterPore Foundation extends its sincere thanks to all participants for their creativity, insight, and commitment to addressing this timely and critical global challenge.