As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, scientists and designers have come up with unique protective solutions beyond those omnipresent N95 masks – that block out 95 per cent of airborne particulates. The Atmos mask from AO Air in New Zealand is one such design, worn as a clear band around the mouth and nose, using filters and a fan to circulate purified air. AO Air raised over US$1.8 million in funding from venture capital fund Blackbird Ventures, Oregon Sports Angels and the New Zealand Government. The mask was originally designed with air pollution in mind and was released in limited numbers in January of 2020. Would you wear the face mask as a fashion symbol? Since then, Covid-19 has increased demand for masks around the world, and the New Zealand Government’s grant will go toward developing a special antiviral filter for the mask. The filtration technology currently used in the mask was determined to offer “25 times better protection against airborne particulate matter than the standard N95 mask” by the Auckland University of Technology, but wasn’t originally focused on airborne pathogens. Here's how it works: The Atmos mask was designed to supplant the standard N95 mask The double filtered mask was originally designed for wearing in heavily polluted air. A prefilter removes large particulates, then the nanofilter removes pollen, dust and other particles from the air. The price for this level of protection? Around US$350 – though that’s for a mask you can use again and again, just changing the filters as needed. What do wellness and health have to do with buying a home? The Atmos mask looks like a futuristic pair of goggles The mask fits around the nose and mouth, and it's clear so the wearer's mouth is still visible. It's designed to fit a variety of face shapes and work with glasses and facial hair. AO says that the two adjustable sizes should between them fit 95 per cent of possible wearers. 3 exciting new wellness trends that could transform our lives Compared to an N95 mask, the Atmos only lightly rests on the face and doesn't require a seal to work. Not needing a seal means that issues like sweat or a poor fit won't necessarily make the mask ineffective. Instead, a fan in the mask supplies clean air The fan adapts to the wearer's breathing, providing more air as needed. AO says the mask can provide enough air even for “peak athletic performance”. The mask's fans are powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with battery life dependent on factors like air quality and lung capacity – typically it should last about five hours. The mask can also be charged on the go from a battery pack or USB. 5 online luxury wellness retreats to chase away the lockdown blues The mask sends data about air quality, state of the filters and respiration to a connected app The LED light on the mask gives its status, telling the wearer that they can breathe safely, or indicating that the filter must be changed. Filter life is also affected by many factors, but with five hours of wear per day, Atmos estimated needing a new filter about once a month. Want more stories like this? Sign up here . Follow STYLE on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and Twitter . This article originally appeared on Business Insider.