Coronavirus: QUB researchers go hi-tech in race to make protective face shields

Dr Eneko Larrañeta, Dr Juan Dominguez-Robles and Dr Dimitrios Lamprou from the School of Pharmacy have designed protective shield masks that can be produced using a 3D printer.

The experts have modified designs developed by a group of Spanish engineers, in order to help meet the demands of the healthcare staff across the Belfast Trust in supporting patients with Covid-19.

The 3D printer is normally used to manufacture a range of drug delivery systems and medical devices including catheters, microneedles and tablets.

Dr Lamprou said: “Everyone is thinking how they can help in this crisis situation. I’ve worked with 3D printers to produce a number of pharmaceutical devices to help patients, so together with my colleagues we decided to work on the prototype already developed in Spain to produce a mask that would work for healthcare staff here.

“We have already produced over 20 masks this week, which we are delivering to the Belfast Trust. The masks can be produced relatively low-cost and we are providing these as a donation to the NHS in these crucial times.”

The team plan to continue producing the face shields, and ask that others with 3D printers do the same in order to increase supplies.

Professor Brian Falzon, from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, is also working to meet the demand for high-volume production of face shields using laser cutting technology of polymer sheeting.

Prof Falzon said: “Simplicity is at the heart of these designs for ease of manufacture and assembly. We now have a few prototypes ready for field testing. We believe that we have the capacity to produce these at a rate of between 100 and 200 per day.”

Meanwhile, Co Tyrone sportswear firm O’Neills has also stepped up to produce protective clothing for medical workers.

Last week 750 employees were told they were being temporarily laid off as orders disappeared.

But on Wednesday, the Strabane factory was back in operation making protective clothing for medical workers.

The Western Health Trust approached the firm on Friday to help meet a shortage of scrubs.

Staff at the factory worked over the weekend to create samples and begin production.

Initially they are making maroon tops and trousers for GPs at the Covid-19 centre at Londonderry’s Altnagelvin Hospital which opened on Wednesday.

They have also made face masks for health staff in the local community.

O’Neill’s managing director Kieran Kennedy said it was good to be able to help the frontline services.

“A lot of our friends, a lot of our families are involved in health services,” he told the BBC. “We’re just trying to help people as best we can.”

Mr Kennedy said it was relatively easy to switch production to scrubs.