Prototype and Evaluation of Origami-Style Splash Suppression Megaphone

Abstract

To reduce the risk of droplet infection while enjoying entertainment events, a prototype droplet-suppression megaphone (DSM) was constructed from a single sheet of paper. We conducted droplet counting and visualization experiments with four sample patterns: no megaphone, normal megaphone, DSM (open outlet), and DSM (closed outlet). As a result, up to 250 droplets per frame were observed in the droplet-counting area of the sample without the megaphone immediately after the droplets were discharged, while the number of droplets was reduced to 1/5 in the case of the normal megaphone, at a frame rate of 30 frame/s. The number of droplets was further reduced to a maximum of 25 with a delay of about 100 frames with the DSM (open outlet). The number of droplets in the DSM (closed outlet) has not increased compared to the number of droplets in the background before droplet ejection.