A University of Connecticut professor says he has created an electric mask that can prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Thanh Nguyen is an assistant professor of engineering at the University of Connecticut, where he specializes in mechanical and biomedical engineering and material science.

Nguyen wanted to make a difference in the pandemic and has developed a new electric mask.

"We rarely eradicate viruses, we just reduce the severity of the virus and I think after this pandemic, people saw the benefit of using a face mask," said Nguyen.

He says his mask is even shown in studies to be more effective than a single-use, disposable N95 mask.

Electric charges in the mask's filter trap water droplets and prevent them from spreading.

"When you're breathing into this and you make this [breathing sound] , you make this vibrate and that vibration creates the surface charge on the filter inside this," Nguyen said.

Nguyen says the filter is biodegradable and safe for the environment and the cloth mask can be washed.

He says his mask is not ready to be sold, but could retail for $10.