Open-Source N95 Mask is the latest effort from the 3D printing community to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The 3D printing community is doing a lot of work to play its part in combating the novel COVID-19 virus that has made the world come to a standstill. From replenishing depleted supply chains with 3D valves for patients with the virus to designing and publishing new designs for facemasks to keep medical officials safe as they fight the virus.
The world has seen enormous shortages in facemasks which are essential to keeping people safe from the disease. This shortage has prompted 3D printing companies to aid in producing more. One company, in particular, went the extra mile and designed an enhanced version of the popular N95 mask, releasing the design to the public and making it open-sourced.
Chilean 3D printer manufacturer Copper 3D, made its materials more compelling when it was awarded two NASA fundings to study the antimicrobial capabilities of their materials on the International Space Station (ISS).
NASA awarded Copper 3D funding to test 3D printing of medical devices using its antibacterial material, Plactive, on the ISS. Copper 3D’s medical devices aim to address health issues and injuries that are of particular concern to astronauts on long-term space missions.
The company’s efforts have seen the creation of the N95 mask that is antiviral, reusable, modular, washable, recyclable and low-cost! Best of all, Copper 3D released the model so it can be downloaded anywhere in the world.
“We feel that we have a great responsibility as a company and we wanted this design to be as similar as possible to a standard N95, which is what is suggested in this type of emergency with viral infections. I think the result is excellent and will be of great use to millions of people.” says Claudio Soto MD – Medical Director of Copper3D “In these difficult times, it is now that united and collaborating with each other, we can find solutions to cope with this pandemic, all together. I´m totally convinced that using our minds, ideas, innovation and technology we will find new ways to tackle this virus”.
NanoHack, the improved N95 mask, is open-source and patent pending. The mask should be easy to 3D print by any desktop printer of the FDM / FFF type.
