By Udo Akam-Alo, ABAKALIKI
The Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo(AE-FUNAI) has produced 3D Face Masks as part of their contributions to the fight against the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Ebonyi and Nigeria at large.
The production was carried out by the Three Dimensional(3D) Research and Training Centre of the institution.
Presenting the 3D face masks to the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba, the Coordinator of the Research Centre, Mrs. Nnodi Chiaka Adaure noted that the 3D Research Team woke up to duty immediately after the World Health Organization(WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
Mrs Nnodi said their immediate action was in response to the clarion call for the prevention of the virus during the national press conference on COVID19 recently hosted at the University Campus by the Vice- Chancellor.
According to her, “It is yet another landmark achievement as Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, 3D Research and Training Centre has successfully deployed its new 3D research assets and expertise towards the production of masterwork 3D facemasks as commitment and contribution towards the prevention of the Coronavirus pandemic in Ebonyi State and Nigeria.
“The process is interesting, especially as we are still on the learning curve, following all details, first producing design for the 3D masks at the research laboratory and finally the state of the art AE-FUNAI brand 3D Face Mask, despite the initial challenges.
“It is worthy of note that the Centre has recently developed social media platforms that will showcase activities of the Centre online, and could be used for online training on 3D technology in the light of the present COVID19 challenges. This will make the centre accessible from anywhere in the world, through the links,” she explained.
Meanwhile, this initiative under the headship of Mrs Nnodi was established on April 6th, 2018 when the Vice Chancellor, Prof Nwajiuba signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Steinbeis Institute for Material Applications (IMAPS) and 3D Solutions.
Prof Nwajiuba stated that being in the era of 3D printing, AE-FUNAI shouldn’t be an exception in such learning process as he said thus:
“We are training people that will operate at the global level. The 3D printing (Industry 4.0) has been said to have so much great potentials in the Medical, Engineering, Manufacturing, Fine and Applied Arts(Museums) and other relevant fields.”
The VC however charged the 3D Research Team, to try the production of a prototype ventilator whereas the team took up the challenge and presently working on production of dental examination tools and samples will in no far time be made available.
