ATHENS – Groups of researchers from various departments and laboratories of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) coordinated their efforts and joined forces, initially with the goal of producing face shields using 3D printing. These face shields have been tested by doctors and the staff of the NKUA Medical School university clinics and are used as a supplement and always as an adjunct to the basic essential protection equipment that must be worn, such as specialised masks, gloves, etc.

The estimated number of protective face shields that the team can make is 50 per day.

With the support of the rector's office, the staff of the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory of the Department of Chemistry and the NKUA Property Management and Utilisation Company, approximately 2,000 face shields are expected to be manufactured and distributed free of charge by the end of May. The first batches are to be distributed on Monday.

Also, members of the NKUA's 3-D Printing team are involved in the design and production of a portable and fixed ventilators for use in intensive care units (ICUs), air filter adaptors and air system adaptors, fullface snorkelling mask filter adaptors, hard body mouth-nose masks, etc.

To date, 10 groups made up of faculty members, researchers, PhD candidates and students have participated in this voluntary action. A total of 25 3D "printers" (Stereolithography, Fused Deposition Modeling) are being used.