With the worldwide spread of COVID-19 and the increasing demand for sanitized surroundings, Immensa Technology Labs in collaboration with Precise 3DHub, are creating products that will remarkably lessen the transmission rate of the virus by the use of antimicrobial printing materials. Immensa Technology Labs is UAE’s top 3D printing firm while Precise 3DHub is the exclusive GCC distributor of Copper3D antimicrobial filament.
“The biggest problem with the virus is the “transmission time” as the virus can survive more than 72 hours on a surface, which increases the chance of people being exposed to it. Plactive contains active copper nanoparticle that when in touch with a virus or bacteria, destroys the membrane and the nucleic acids, which makes it dysfunctional within a matter of minutes,“ says the president of Precise 3DHub, Lothar Hohmann.
Immensa experts have effectively 3D-printed items that would assist to lessen the transmission speed of coronavirus. This includes casings and covers for regularly touched exteriors and objects like light switches, door handles, and water faucets and valves, elevator switches, shopping cart grips, handrail coats, flush buttons, toilet seats, etc.
“The global spread of coronavirus is an unfortunate occurrence that has brought the world together in pursuit of preventative measures to maintain the well-being of all societies. At Immensa, we have dedicated ourselves to aligning with government initiatives and safety processes that prioritize the health of people in the UAE.
Our engineers have 3D-printed covers for everyday items that are frequently used, utilizing an antimicrobial material that will reduce the transmission of diseases. Our aim has always been to promote the status of the UAE as a leading hub for 3D printing; now we seek to position the Emirates at the forefront of the fight against coronavirus and other diseases of this nature,” says the CEO at Immensa, Fahmi Al Shawwa.
Plactive is an FDA listed material. It is an accredited ISO 10993 Biocompatible element and EU cooperative. Plactive has approved in labs in Chile and the US to disable 99.99% of bacteria (Staphylococcus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, Listeria, and others bacteria).
Also, Nanocopper has substantial scientific proof that points to deactivate SARS-Cov viruses in 5 minutes and Influenza (H1N1) in thirty seconds. Plactive is extensively utilized for the production of medical apps where it’s risky to have a bacterial infection, such as postoperative prostheses, clinically examined in prosthesis for amputees with great results, injury dressing, and surgical tools.
Additionally, it has been experimented by NASA to make antimicrobial medical machines on ISS. Immensa has had the ability to obtain the advantages of the material to create tools to counter the impact of coronavirus spread in the UAE.
“Immensa is also capable of adapting to any request, be it commercial, residential, or public in nature, and to cater to all sorts of needs, from as small as elevator buttons to public seats and public rails and handles,” added Al Shawwa.
This latest app for additive manufacturing will bring on a fresh area out of the UAE and will encourage a whole new variety of customized items with antibacterial attributes, a big opportunity for inventors, makers, physicians, and entrepreneurs among others.
“With the development over the past month, everybody in the world now understands the need to take prevention to another level, which means that the new standard needs to be antimicrobial in order to drastically reduce transmission rates,” continued Hohmann.
