OUR TECHNOLOGY

Happy Masks block airborne particles down to 0.3 micros while still permitting airflow. This image shows the filtration process and direction of airflow

Powerful Filtration

Happy Masks feature a wafer-thin nanofiber membrane filter, made of fibers 1/500th the width of a human hair. These fibers create an ultra-fine, web-like mechanical barrier that physically prevents 95-99% of particulate matter (PM) 10, 2.5, and 0.3 from passing through the mask. To put this into context, dust particles are PM8, bacteria is PM3, and pollution and viruses are < PM1.*

A diagram showing the sizes of different particles including pollen, dust, bacteria, smog, and viruses

*Disclaimer: Happy Masks are not devices intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease and do not meet the definition of a medical device as set forth in section 201(h) of the FD&C Act.

Rigorously Tested with Accredited Labs

The labs we work with for filtration testing are accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard. Our filtration results have been validated in testing sponsored by the New York Times Wirecutter, which resulted in Happy Masks being included in their roundup of The Best Reusable Face Masks in December of 2021.

	Nelson Laboratories	SGS Chemical Solutions Laboratories	ICS Laboratories	The New York Times Wirecutter	Taiwan Textile Research Institute
Filtration Efficency	98%	96%	94%	94%	99%
Sample Size	5	5	5	Unknown	4
Test Method	NaCl	NaCl	NaCl	Unknown	PFE
Particle Size	0.3 μm	0.3 μm	0.3 μm	0.5 μm	0.1 μm
Flow Rate	85 L/min	6 L/min	6 L/min	15 L/min	28 L/min
Test Set Up	TSI 8130A	TSI 8130A	TSI 8130A	Custom Set Up	TSI 8130A

Maintains 95% Filtration Efficacy After 50 Washes

Unlike filters that rely on electrostatic charge which loses filtration capabilities when wet, nanofiber membrane filters rely on mechanical filtration, allowing them to be washed multiple times with minimal impact to filtration efficacy. Based on Repeated Wash Testing conducted at ICS laboratories, our filters maintain 95% filtration efficacy after 50 washes when washed as directed.

In testing conducted at ICS Laboratories, the masks were hand-washed at 100 degrees F for 10 minutes with Tide Free and Gentle detergent. The flow rate was 6L/minute, which is based on the average breathing rate of adults.** We are committed to continuous testing with accredited labs and are in the process of running additional Repeated Wash tests at a higher flow rate to understand the filtration curve with more strenuous activity.

REPEATED WASH TEST REPORT

**Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z3xq6fr/revision/2

How a Happy Mask Compares to a KN95 and a Fabric Mask

With mask guidance changing frequently, and some places moving toward requiring KN95 or N95 masks, we want to provide the information you need to better understand how these masks are different from each other.

	Fabric Mask w/o Filter	KN95 Mask	HAPPY MASKS
Filter Material	None	Meltblown	Nanofiber Membrane
Filtration of Aerosols	30%	95%-99%	95%-99%
Filtration Type	None	Utilizes electrostatic charge, where electrical field gradients attract and intercept airborne particles.	Employs mechanical filtration, where an ultra-fine, web-like mechanical barrier physically blocks airborne particles.
Fiber Diameter	7-20 micrometers (μm)	2-4 micrometers (μm)	120 nanometers (nm). Note: 1 nm is 1000x smaller than a micrometer.
Washability / Reusability	Washable, multi-use.	Not washable, single-use. Filtration declines dramatically if filter gets wet due to dependency on electrostatic charge.	Maintains 95% filtration efficacy after 50 hand washes. Lasts approximately 2 months with normal use.
Breathability	Varies depending on fabric.	Higher humidity levels, breath resistance, and accumulation of heat.	Millions of micropores per square centimeter allow air to pass through while still maintaining a high level of filtration efficacy.

Highly Breathable

The controlled stretching process used to create our nanofiber filter creates millions of micropores per square centimeter, enabling air to flow more evenly and easily. Normally, high airflow also means low filtration efficacy, but the micropore diameter in our filters ranges in size between 0.1 to 0.5 micrometers, which is wide enough to allow air to pass freely while providing effective filtration. While a virus particle is around 0.1 microns in size, it is always bonded to something larger, such as water droplets or aerosols that are generated by breathing, talking, and coughing. These consist of water, mucus protein and other biological material and are all larger than 1 micron. Given that, the micropore diameter is more than adequate to protect against viruses and other harmful particles, assuming the correct fit and proper use.