A Dynamic Model for Design Optimization of Protective Masks

The use of computer modeling in the area of design optimizing has become practical due to recent advances in hardware and software technology. Several sophistcated software tools are avialable for three dimensional modeling and dynamic visual and numeric anaylsis of complex surfaces. This proposal presents a practical and logical approach to utilizing state-of-the-art tools and techniques for accurate facial modeling and simulation. The same methodology used to model the human face will be applied to develop and dynamis model of the M40 mask based on existing physical data. The M40 model will be integrated with the face model. Dynamic facial controls based on collected data for various facial expressions will be used to manipulate the three-dimensional facial model so that the response and fit of the M40 mask can be studied in both a static and dynamic sense. The interrelationship between the mask model and the face model will be evaluated both graphically and numerically. The designer will be able to observe and monitor the degree of contact at the seal between the mask and the face. The results of this work will clearly demonstrate the ability of the model to be used to study the interrelationship between protective masks and the human face.