Business

NIPER, Guwahati Opts For 3D Printing Of Face Masks, Other PPEs

National Institute of Pharmaceuticals Education and Research (NIPER)-Guwahati, a premier institute of national importance under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Govt. of India has developed a number of PPEs using 3D printing technology. NIPER-G has designed and developed a 3D-printed multi-layer anti-microbial face mask to control the spread of novel coronavirus. The first layer of this mask will be anti-bacterial casing, the second layer will be the sanitizing layer and reducing exposure of airborne particulates. Finally, the third layer will be the medicinal layer to prevent extra microbial attacks, etc. Director Dr U S N. Murty informed that he has also signed an MoU with Hindustan Antibiotic Limited (HAL, a PSU under Dept. of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India), Pimpri, Pune for large scale industrial-grade manufacturing and commercialisation of their 3D printed anti-microbial face-shields. NIPER-Guwahati has filed both, an Indian design patent and provisional patent at Indian Patent Office, New Delhi for the same. Some of the salient features of the 3D printed anti-microbial face-shields include, highly occlusive, transparent, easy-to-design, low cost, easy to wear, anti-microbial in nature, excellent chemical stability, non-fragile and easy to clean with the existing sanitizers or any alcoholic disinfectant. Finally, NIPER-G has also developed and validated a 3D-printed hands-free multi-tasking object for opening or closing of the doors, windows, drawers (both vertical & horizontal), refrigerator handle, elevator buttons, laptop/desktop keyboards, including turning on/off switch buttons. This product is very handy, user-friendly, non-fragile, and easy to clean with the existing sanitizers or any alcoholic disinfectant.