Press release of April 24, 2025

Concept for self-sustained oxygen mask wins competition in the journal Nature Reviews Bioengineering

Researchers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) have developed a concept for a self-sustained oxygen mask that uses the ability of microalgae to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. This could form the basis for a portable microalgae-biomaterial hybrid device that enables prolonged oxygen supply and water absorption. With this concept, the HZDR team is one of the winners in a competition organized by the journal Nature Reviews Bioengineering. The task was to develop medical innovations for resource-limited regions.  

Life-saving medical devices such as oxygen masks are often dependent on limited or expensive resources, such as medical oxygen. In addition, many important devices and treatments require expensive and complex components, which hinders their development and local manufacturing. Solutions that work in resource-poor and disadvantaged regions of the world are, therefore, urgently needed. This is why the journal Nature Reviews Bioengineering has called on young bioengineers to find a simple solution to this problem.

Oxygen masks are usually dependent on an external oxygen supply, whether in the form of oxygen tanks or capsules. For the competition “The ultimate bioengineering challenge”, Xuan Peng, Xinne Zhao and Željko Janićijević from the Department of Nano-Microsystems for Life Sciences at HZDR´s Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research have designed the idea for a self-sustained oxygen mask made of lightweight, biocompatible materials that enables prolonged oxygen supply and water collection in resource-poor areas.

The main challenge in designing a self-sustained oxygen mask was to reduce carbon dioxide and water vapor while increasing the oxygen content in the inhaled air. The scientists' idea is based on photosynthesis, in which light energy (from the Sun) is converted into chemical energy. This energy is then used to build up energy-rich organic substances from carbon dioxide and water and release oxygen. For photosynthesis, they use microalgae, which are considered excellent converters of carbon dioxide to oxygen and can survive even under harsh environmental conditions. 

The mask itself will mainly consist of heat-resistant, skin-friendly, antimicrobial, soft polymeric materials. Polymers are selected to be sustainable and suitable for recycling or biodegradation. This would facilitate mass production and contribute to the circular economy. There are plans to produce the masks in two different sizes. So far, the mask is just an idea. Several key parameters need to be validated in the next step to ensure that the mask can function under real conditions.

Publication:
X. Peng, X. Zhao,  Ž. Janićijević: Self-sustained oxygen mask, Nature Reviews Bioengineering, 2025 (https://www.nature.com/articles/s44222-025-00300-x)

Further information:
Xuan Peng I Nano-Microsystems for Life Sciences at HZDR
Phone: +49 351 260 2712 I Email: x.peng@hzdr.de

Media contact:
Simon Schmitt | Head
Communication and Media Relations at HZDR
Phone: +49 351 260 3400 | Mobile: +49 175 874 2865 | Email: s.schmitt@hzdr.de