During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the supply personal protective equipment was in short supply. I recognized the possibility of using the equipment available at the American University of Beirut to manufacture PPEs locally to protect frontline workers from the virus. As a result, I initiated a fabrication lab with the guidance of Dr. Mohammed Harb aimed to design and fabricate a reusable respirator mask that would guard against exposure to COVID-19 virus particles in the air.

The goal was to create a respirator mask that could be easily produced using widely available materials to make it accessible and affordable for frontline workers. We assembled a team of design, engineering, and material science experts to collaborate on the project.

After several rounds of prototyping, we successfully developed a reusable respirator mask that met all the necessary criteria for protection against the COVID-19 virus. Our mask was designed to be comfortable to wear for extended periods, lightweight, and easy to sterilize between uses.

For more information, do not hesitate to visit the COVID-19 FabLab website.