New shield couples COVID-19 protection with a clear view of the face

New shield couples COVID-19 protection with a clear view of the face

The Badger Shield+ provides a full view of the face. PHOTO COURTESY OF UW MAKERSPACE

The Badger Shield+ provides a full view of the face. PHOTO COURTESY OF UW MAKERSPACE

In March, as coronavirus cases spread across the country, University of Wisconsin–Madison engineers responded with a simple design for a medical face shield made from common materials that 450 manufacturers put into production.

The team that developed the Badger Shield in a flash to meet the needs of hospitals, nursing homes and schools has created a new version — again working with partners from UW Health, Midwest Prototyping and others — a shield that provides a full, clear view of the face while still filtering virus particles through surgical fabric that cinches around the wearer’s chin and jawline.

The Badger Shield+ provides a full view of the face. Engineers are also working on a small air-circulation unit to keep the mask from fogging up or becoming too stuffy during use.

They’re also perfecting a compact, lightweight 3D-printed air-circulation unit for the new shield that prevents it from steaming up or becoming too stuffy. According to Lennon Rodgers, director of the Grainger Engineering Design Innovation Laboratory, the engineering makerspace at UW–Madison, Badger Shield+ was as popular as the original shortly after its debut.

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