Dr. Ben Wu, Professor of Bioengineering and Material Science and Engineering, is leading one of many efforts at UCLA to design personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers and patients. PPE, or equipment that acts as a barrier between the skin, mouth, nose, or eyes and viral and bacterial infections, is crucial in stopping both the spread of infection and keeping individuals safe from infection-causing droplets. As part of a multi-disciplinary team, Dr. Wu has designed, developed and 3D printed reusable, durable face shields to shield the eyes, nose and mouth of the user.
The face shield’s headband can be mass-produced using 3D injection molding and the clear plastic shield can be mass-produced by laser cutting. The face shield was reviewed and approved for use by UCLA Health on April 3 and is compatible with most hospital-grade disinfectants . It has also been shared on the National Institutes of Health’s 3D print exchange, making the device model available to 3D print online.
Link to Faculty Website: https://weintraubcenter.dentistry.ucla.edu/wu-lab
Link to Relevant Publications:
1) https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/reusable-face-shields-covid-19
2) National Institutes of Health’s 3D Print Exchange