Institution of Engineers, India – Combating COVID-19 – Role of Engineers and Doctors
The Institution of Engineers, India (IEI), the national member for India at the World Federation of Engineering Organisations released a book: “Combating COVID-19: Role of Engineers and Doctors” at the 36th Indian Engineering Congress (IEC).
The book provides valuable insights into the work of engineering during COVID-19 and the new technologies and products that were developed in response to the pandemic. WFEO 2017-2019 President Dr Marlene Kanga, a Fellow of IEI, contributed a chapter, “Global Engineering Innovations in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic” (available in this link) which showcased the work of WFEO national members and the work of WFEO in building capacity in this important area.
Chamber of Engineers (Malta) and the Maltese engineers – Initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Chamber of Engineers (Malta) and the Maltese engineers responded to COVID-19 by a serie of activities.
Activities by the Chamber of Engineers (Malta):
- Led by example very early by turning internal activities virtual and encouraged members of the engineering profession to follow preventive measures by living up to services owed per the code of ethics.
- Provided Covid19 Financial Advice for Engineers to disseminate opportunities for financial assistance issue through a national agency.
- Participated in and assisted a survey on the impact of Covid19 on professionals in Malta.
- Supported and promoted a Call for Covid19 Response Volunteers to support the management of the pandemic’s impact on a national level.
- Organised webinar to disseminate Malta Development Bank Covid19 Guarantee Fund managed by Bank of Valletta (a corporate sponsor of the Chamber of Engineers)
- Highlighted a number local Engineers’ activities in our Engineering Today Magazine. Please find a link to this here.
Activities by Maltese Engineers that has been reported in the media:
- Maltese Engineers complement work of front-liners and authorities in fight against COVID-19. Link accessed here.
- Retrofitting of Power Air-Purifying Respirators (PARP) with modern filtration systems – Invent 3D. Link accessed here.
- Design of hardware to disinfect face respirators – Department of Electronic Systems Engineering, University of Malta. Link accessed here.
- The above 2 case studies won a national award for Innovative Technologies in response to COVID19 organised by the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA). Link accessed here.
- Local manufacturing company changes production line to cut face-visors used to protect against COVID-19. Link accessed here.
- Local manufacturing company designed a prototype ventilator that can be used by two Covid-19 patients at a time. Link accessed here.
The newest edition of the Chamber of Engineer’s magazine is now available online! Access Engineering Today – Issue 59 through the following link.
Institution of Civil Engineers – Covid-19 and the new normal for infrastructure systems – next steps
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), in partnership with the Infrastructure Client Group, have released a white paper that examines the impact of Covid-19 on the future shape of infrastructure systems in the UK.
The paper considers in detail what hasn’t changed as a result of Covid-19, what has changed, the role of infrastructure as part of the UK’s economic recovery and what changes are needed in how we deliver infrastructure.
The paper lists seven recommendations to drive the reinvention of infrastructure delivery.
www.ice.org.uk – Covid-19 and the new normal for infrastructure systems – next steps
Ordem dos Engenheiros de Portugal – Initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Ordem dos Engenheiros de Portugal (OEP) developed a series of initiatives aimed at preventing the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigating its consequences.
Some initiatives are outlined below. You can find all the initiatives from OEP in the following link.
Recommendations for The Prevention of the Contagion in Construction and Building sites
The pandemic scenario originated by COVID-19 made critical the implementation of measures to prevent the contagion of the infection in environments of collective use, such as Construction and Building sites.
In this context, the Portuguese Engineers Association decided to make some exceptional and temporary recommendations, addressed to all the parties involved with building and construction, to prevent the contagion of COVID-19, taking into account the particularities of construction sites.
These recommendations have been published on OEP website and can be consulted in this link.
Ordem dos Engenheiros de Portugal available to collaborate in mitigating the effects of the pandemic
In a letter sent to the Prime Minister, the Health Minister and the Infrastructure and Housing Minister, OEP, announces its availability, as the representative of over 56,000 engineers with high technical skills in the most diverse areas to collaborate with the Government and other competent authorities, in what is considered to be in the national interest and that contributes to the safeguarding of public health and the economy.
Mr. Carlos Mineiro Aires, the President of the Ordem dos Engenheiros, in his letters also thanks the work and uninterrupted commitment those entities have developed on the front line to battle COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the Engineers Association reiterates, within the scope of its statutory functions, its willingness to collaborate in mitigating the effects of the pandemic, and puts itself at the service of the country.
Letter sent to Prime Minister can be read in this link.
Letter sent to Health Minister can be read in this link.
Letter sent to Infrastructure and Housing Minister can be read in this link.
(All documents in Portuguese)
Best Food Practices Guide
OEP, through its Specialization in Food Engineering, has published a Best Food Practices Guide, which aims to support and clarify companies, restaurants and citizens about the measures and care to be taken into account for the acquisition, handling, hygiene, storage and conservation of food in the current pandemic situation caused by the VIRUS SARS-CoV-2.
The document is entitled “Best Food Practices Guide during the Covid-19 Pandemic” and can be downloaded in this link.
#juntosficamosemcasa (#togetherwestayathome) Initiative
OEP developed a series of Educational and Informative Webinars under the umbrella of #togetherwestayathome that cover COVID-19 related and non-related themes. This initiative also provided a vast Cultural agenda, highlighting museums open on-line throughout this period, as well as Public online concerts.
The Webinar themes are listed below, further information can be found on the Association webpage www.ordemengenheiros.pt and in the following link.
- COVID-19 – Transmission analysis
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Capture
- Extraction with supercritical CO for the recovery of agricultural and forestry by-products
- Energy in Mobility and Buildings – the Energy Challenges with the Future of Mobility/ Energy and certification in Service Buildings
- COVID-19 Pandemic: Global Impact and Changing Paradigms
- Code of Good Food Practices during COVID-19
- COVID-19 – Impact and Recovery Scenarios
- Energy Trade and Distribution
- COVID-19 Pandemic – Impact and future for Construction
#MakerVsVirus: TH Georg Agricola University produces face protection, door openers and much more for the Metropole Ruhr in 3D printer
Bochum, Germany, April 15th, 2020 Georg Agricola University of Applied Sciences Manufacture of protective masks in the Corona crisis with 3D printers by THGA students – Photo Volker Wiciok
Even in times of the corona crisis, employees in retirement and nursing homes, in orphanages or in hospitals have contact with many, sometimes infected people and do enormous work. To ensure that they are better protected in their everyday work, the THGA, in cooperation with the German Mining Museum Bochum (DBM), has set up the “3D Printing Task Force”. Without further ado, a small printing centre was set up – now ten 3D printers are running at full speed, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Two more are printing in the museum. They manufacture four products: a face shield, Surgical Mask Straps and a door opener in large and pocket format.
“We have been testing the quality of 3D printing since 2019 and have produced sample parts for teaching purposes,” says Prof. Dr. Uwe Dettmer, who founded the task force together with his research assistant Marcel Witting. “When we heard that products from the 3D printer could help to slow down the spread of COVID-19, it was clear to us: We must also help”. Their idea met with great approval at the university and the DBM, so that production could begin before Easter.
Face Shields protect people who are particularly exposed to the risk of droplet infection during their work. Since they are not medically certified, they should be worn in addition to the normal protective masks. The large door openers can be mounted on handles so that doors can be opened and closed without direct skin contact. The smaller ones can be carried by anyone like a Swiss Army knife. The Surgical Mask Straps lengthen the elastic bands of a standard protective mask and thus improve the wearing comfort enormously.
“It is important to us to manufacture many different products and thus provide the facilities in Bochum and the Metropole Ruhr with aids,” says Prof. Dettmer. Face shields and some suspenders were delivered to the St. Joseph-Stift nursing and care facility in Bochum right at the beginning. At the Stella Vitalis senior citizens’ centre and the St. Vinzenz e. V. orphanages in Bochum, face protection, door openers and suspenders are also currently being tested. “We are initially only supplying a small quantity to conserve our stocks,” says Prof. Dettmer. The aim is to be able to supply as many institutions as possible. The warehouse is currently well stocked: Around 150 face masks, 100 large door openers and a number of suspenders and smaller door openers for your pocket are waiting to be used.
Manufacture of brackets for respiratory masks and door handle extensions with 3D printers by THGA students – Photo Volker Wiciok
A printer needs about one hour for one part. Only the straps are ready after 20 minutes. This means that almost 40 new parts are produced every day. The project would not be possible without the support of dedicated students. “They supervise the printers and continue to work in two-shift operation on a voluntary basis beyond their auxiliary staff contracts,” says Prof. Dettmer.
The task force is connected to the nationwide active maker scene #MakerVsVirus. Since Bochum was a blank spot on the map for a long time, Prof. Dettmer and Marcel Witting opened their own location here, the “hub-bochum”. The integration into the superordinate initiative ensures a fast exchange of information and material with other 3D printing projects. Since there are currently bottlenecks in the supply of materials, such an exchange is indispensable. For example, the Maker Scene provides the THGA with the transparent foils for the facemasks free of charge.
Furthermore, employees of all scientific faculties of the THGA and the German Mining Museum Bochum support the 3D printing task force. The works council of DMT-LB, the Research Institute of Post-Mining (FZN) and the Bochum district association of the Association of German Engineers (VDI) also contributed financially to procure the necessary materials. This raised a total of around 9,500 euros.
Users and supporters are welcome to send their requests by mail to labor-qm(at) thga.de.
Tutorial to make a filter mask with an affordable 3D printer (in French)
The Ingénieurs et scientifiques de France (IESF) Executive Director Jean Dambreville kindly shared a tutorial to make a filter mask with an affordable 3D printer.
You will find in this link all the necessary files (in French) to make your home made filter mask, including the 3D printing file, pdf of the pattern and videos.