MakerMask: About us, our volunteers and collaborators

MakerMask is a group of volunteers providing information y research about mask materials y designs to aid global communities of sewists, makers, and manufacturers in their local efforts. More specifically, we research, test, and share information about mask materials and designs intended for use as stop-gap solutions during the current COVID-19 crisis. These solutions are targeted at compliance with COVID-19 specific Emergency Use Authorizations set forth by the FDA.

Long Term Goal:

Fully research, test, and validate mask materials and designs consistent with traditional regulatory standards for longer-term sustainable solutions that enable local diversified mask production strategies.

MakerMask was founded by Dr. Jocelyn Songer, a biomedical engineer with a decade of experience using and researching respirators and masks.

In the News:

Keynote Speaker, Handmade Mask Summit, June 17 & 20, “Masks Unmasked: The Science Behind Masks for COVID-19” by Dr. Jocelyn Songer
- Recording of summit and key note, June 17
- Recording of summit day 2, June 20
Just Wanna Quilt‘s host Dr. Elizabeth Townsend Gard from Tulane Law School interviews Dr. Jocelyn Songer of MaskMaker.org about masks for COVID-19
- Part 1 (1 hour)
- Part 2 (1.5 hours)
MakerMask provided information on mask use in under-served communities during the Virtually Maker Faire (video, slides) (May 23, 2020)
Congressman Jim McGovern (May 5, 2020) speaks to MakerMask founder Dr. Songer about local mask making efforts in her hometown of Orange, Massachusetts.
Popular Science (April 2, 2020), Make your own face mask—no sewing machine required,
Lessons from a Mask Maker (March 29, 2020) Dr. Songer writes candidly about her own experience with making and using face masks.
Makezine (March 27, 2020) The Big List: Make These Projects to Fight COVID-19 Right Now

MakerMask 2020 Year in Review:

Launched website on March 21, 2020
Released 5 open source mask designs: MakerMask: Origami, MakerMask: Expression, MakerMask: Surge (Oleada), MakerMask: Fit, MakerMask: Cover (Cubierta) 
Published 28 open access articles sharing information about mask science and emerging regulatory considerations on the MakerMask Research Blog
Tested 14 mask prototypes for breathability (inhalation resistance and exhalation resistance), and 10 mask prototypes for CO2 accumulation, in collaboration with ATOR labs: https://makermask.org/breathable-mask-testing-results/
Facilitated ASTM F1862 testing of NWPP for fluid resistance, demonstrating that a three-layer combination of spunbond nonwoven polypropylene passed ASTM Level 2 Fluid resistance criteria: https://makermask.org/mask-material-test-results-fluid-resistance/
Received and distributed 13,700 donated NWPP bags y 27,500 square feet of medical NWPP for Makers and Sewists to use in the construction of ~55,000 masks
Reached ~266,000 people through 140 posts on our Facebook page: @theMakerMask
Reached ~500,000 views of MakerMask.org with an average of >1500 views a day