Architects and fabrication specialists join together to mitigate the COVID-19 medical supply shortage – Archinect

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Low resource ventilator design engineering collaboration between Trevor Smale and David O'Reilly. Image courtesy of Trevor Smale

With news of COVID-19 affecting individuals across the globe, hospitals and medical clinics are experiencing a shortage in supplies such as ventilators, respirators, and personal protective equipment (PPE). However, as news of the virus spreads, design professionals are banning together with medical professionals and engineers to find solutions to the shortage.

Public Facebook groups like Open Source Ventilatorhave created discussion forums to help brainstorm, share, and prototype various solutions.A report from CNETdives into this coverage and shares which companies are joining the effort. "HP, teeth straightener vendor SmileDirectClub and various other companies are exploring ways to use their 3D-printing technology to build things like ventilator valves, breathing filters, and face mask clasps." Earlier this week,Archinect reported of Italian 3D-printing company Isinnovaand their success in designing and printing respirator valves for hospitals in the area.

Now more than ever, collaborative efforts made across various fields, including design and manufacturing, have grown. Although the efforts to fabricate 3D printed supplies take some time, open-source design files are being shared across the internet. Event Tesla and Space X CEO Elon Musk shared on Twitter his willingness to contribute to the fight.

Around the world, architects, engineers, and medial professionals are doing what they can to assist areas in need. As the spread of the virus continues, industries, like architecture, are trying to adapt and provide aid. Architecture's ever-evolving role and response to the health industry is nothing new. However, events such as this are providing professionals in the industry with an abrupt reminder of how the future of architecture, design, and urban planning will impact health service research.

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Architects and fabrication specialists join together to mitigate the COVID-19 medical supply shortage - Archinect