InnoRenew project partners are continuing to upgrade their infrastructure using European funds from the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme and the European Regional Development Fund as well as co-financing from the Republic of Slovenia’s Ministry of Education, Science and Sport. University of Primorska (UP), which is an InnoRenew project leader, is also investing in state-of-the-art laboratory equipment. A 3D printer with fused deposition modelling (FDM) technology that allows 3D printing of simple objects is among its latest purchases. The new printer is part of UP’s Laboratory for Human-Computer Interaction at the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies (UP FAMNIT HICUP).

In a time when the world was affected by the global pandemic of coronavirus disease and there was a severe shortage of appropriate protective equipment, researchers from UP FAMNIT HICUP and InnoRenew CoE found a way to help. In accordance with the Zaščitimo Slovenijo (Protect Slovenia) initiative and in cooperation with Izola General Hospital and Technology Park Ljubljana, these researchers started 3D printing protective masks.

Created masks, printed from polylactic acid (PLA), are designed for multiple use and provide 99.99% efficiency. First prototypes were tested at Izola General Hospital, and tests showed that the masks can be used for more demanding interventions where a higher level of protection is required.

You can read more about these masks in the article Do zaščitnih mask s 3D-tiskom, published on the Dnevnik journal webpage. You can also take a closer look at the masks in a video prepared by the University of Primorska.