University of New South Wales (UNSW Canberra Australia), School of Engineering and Information Technology, on location at the Australian Defence Force Academy.
Working at the intersection of a leading university and a military academy, UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy has been educating defence leaders for half a century.
UNSW Canberra graduates shape Australia, the region and the international community as leaders in defence, government, and industry.
Through our experience in education and our achievements in research, we excel in teaching undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral research students across arts, business, cyber security, engineering, IT, logistics, management, space and science. Our undergraduate programs are tailored to the educational needs of members of the Australian Defence Force, while our graduate and doctoral research programs are available to all students. Since 2016, entry to undergraduate study in all Engineering specialisations has been opened up to civilian students.
UNSW Canberra is the only national academic institution with an integrated defence focus. Its strength is in defence related, security and engineering research. UNSW Canberra has the highest teacher to student ratio in Australian higher education. UNSW Canberra graduates almost double of postgraduate students compare to undergraduate students, reflecting our growth and strength as an excellent, full service university campus.
Findings
Spitmask.com has recently undertaken product research which was conducted by the University of New South Wales (Australia) , School of Engineering and Information Technology, on location at the Australian Defence Force Academy.
The purpose of the research was an “assessment of visibility, Identity protection and prevention of SPIT transmission”.
In addition to this was to ensure that wearing the mask is not hazardous to the wearer.
Task 1: Assessment of visibility through POLIVEIL Spit-masks (White, Blue and Orange) was performed using objective evaluations with Image Quality Metrics and subjective evaluations
An important point to note is that the purpose of this investigation on assessment of visibility through the masks is to ensure that wearing the mask is not hazardous to the wearers in that it permits enough visibility to allow them to see objects and move around them safely.
In view of the above, the minimum estimated percentages of visibility of 80% by the White mask, over 50% by the Blue masks and nearly 35% by the Orange mask, can be considered sufficient to ensure the wearer’s safety in terms of avoiding collision with objects in front of them. Of course the wearer is usually in custody and being guided as they walk anyway.
The POLIVEIL is clearly a significant advantage over a “head bag/ sand bags or a piece of clothing or blanket”
Task 2: Assessment of Identity Protection by POLIVEIL Spit-masks
Summary and Results
The specific objective was to evaluate the degree of identity protection offered by the masks, i.e., assess whether facial recognition of the person wearing the mask by external viewers is possible, and if yes, to what extent.
Three POLIVEIL masks, White, Blue and Orange, were evaluated for protection against face recognition
Conclusion
The objective and subjective tests performed under Task 2 confirm that the Orange and Blue mask provide excellent identity protection, while the White mask does not. Blue and Orange masks were found to provide complete protection against facial recognition. The White version was never intended for this purpose.