CNATS Researchers Obtain European Patent for a Smart Sensor Indicating Mask Lifespan

One of the major recent dilemmas in public health finally has a technological solution. A team from Pablo de Olavide University (UPO) in Seville has developed and patented a revolutionary visual indicator that alerts the user, in real-time, exactly when their mask loses efficacy and needs to be discarded.

This innovation, developed by the OMEGAs research group ( within the Center for Nanoscience and Sustainable Technologies CNATS), promises to end the false sense of security caused by using expired or worn-out masks.

Unlike general time recommendations (which do not account for usage intensity), this system is based on real exposure.

The invention consists of a small chemical sensor integrated into the mask’s fabric. Its operation is simple and intuitive:

1. Activation: The sensor reacts to body temperature and airflow from breathing.

2. Evolution: Initially, the indicator shows a yellowish color.

3. Alert: With continued use, the color degrades until it becomes dark. This irreversible visual change is the signal that filtration capacity has diminished, and it is time to change the mask.

“The system does not measure clock hours, but the actual wear and tear caused by the user’s breathing, making it much more reliable than any theoretical estimate.”

The team led by Professor José María Pedrosa, along with researchers Javier Roales and David Rodríguez, has designed this technology to be universal. The sensor is compatible with surgical, FFP2, and N95 masks, does not interfere with breathability, and does not alter the fabric’s filtration properties.

Furthermore, its formulation is adjustable, allowing the color change to be calibrated according to the specific theoretical lifespan of each mask model.

Obtaining the European patent marks a milestone for technology transfer in Andalusia. The project features collaboration with Sevillian businessman José Antonio Rodríguez, who will drive the commercial exploitation of the invention. Work is currently underway on final prototypes and alliances with the healthcare sector to bring these smart masks to pharmacies and hospitals soon.