Sandia National Laboratories retools facilities to design, test sterilizable mask DOE/Sandia National Laboratories Sandia National Laboratories engineer Todd Barrick models a prototype of the comfortable, sterilizable, all-day respirator he and 16 colleagues developed to complement disposable N95 masks. (Photo by Randy Montoya) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Many medical professionals and other essential, front-line workers have struggled for the past year with persistent shortages of N95 masks. Soon, they might get relief from a Sandia National Laboratories invention -- a comfortable, reusable, sterilizable respirator that could ease demand during current or future health crises. Sandia has filed for patent protection and is testing prototypes and seeking potential manufacturing partners.