Coronavirus: North Carolina university faculty creating 3D-printed masks for health care workers

University of North Carolina Charlotte faculty members are stepping up to healthcare workers on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak. (University of North Carolina Charlotte/University of North Carolina Charlotte)

Credit: University of North Carolina Charlotte

Credit: University of North Carolina Charlotte

University of North Carolina Charlotte faculty members are stepping up to healthcare workers on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak. (University of North Carolina Charlotte/University of North Carolina Charlotte)

University of North Carolina, Charlotte, faculty members are stepping up to help health care workers on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak.

They are using 3D printers from home to make protective shields.

So far, they have made 250 of them. The effort is part of the Million Mask Challenge.

As production continues, faculty members are working on creating clear instructions on the printing process so students can also make masks from home.

Students at Charlotte Latin School also jumped in to help with the nationwide shortage of medical gear.

Teachers and students raised money to 3D-print face shields for nurses and doctors. The school’s Fab Lab designed its own face shield that can be 3D-printed on-site.

It launched a GoFundMe to help with the project, and it said $10 can buy two reusable shields.

As of Saturday morning, the students had exceeded their goal of $75,000 and had raised more than$80,000.

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