Coronavirus: IIT Kharagpur faculty develops face shields for healthcare workers

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has designed a prototype to make face shields for healthcare workers from home during the lockdown. Professor Santanu Dhara and Professor Sangeeta Das Bhattacharya, researchers at the School of Medical Science and Technology at IIT Kharagpur have made face shields. The face shield is an indispensable part of the personal protective equipment (PPE) prerequisite for healthcare workers taking care of patients with suspected COVID-19. Both the professors have developed a face shield using materials that can be procured even under the nation-wide lockdown. The items consist of sponge, folded paper, transparency sheet, cardboard or packaging box, elastic, or rubber band, and double-sided tape. 

A team from the School of Medical Science and Technology of IIT Kharagpur made 14 such face shields in 2 hours. They are in the process of making more, while distantly working from their homes. According to Prof Dhara, at a time when the demand for protective wears has risen sharply, there is a need to adapt products using conveniently sourced materials and simple process to offer some sort of protection for the health workers. According to Prof Bhattacharya, it is necessary to get personal protective equipment for healthcare workers and the face shield is just one part. They are contributing in a small way, these had not been rigorously tested.

The fundamental PPE for healthcare workers consists of a respirator or face masks, eye protection including goggles and face shields, gloves and gowns. The face shield is a transparent plastic protective cover, linked to elastic headgear. It protects the face from splashes. Globally there is a scarcity of all PPE for healthcare workers.

Read More: