Fracture load in double keyhole notch PLA-Cu2O nanocomposites manufactured via compression molding and 3D printing: An experimental and numerical study.

Polylactic acid (PLA) polymer has garnered significant attention due to its biocompatibility. The incorporation of copper oxide (Cu2O) nanoparticles into this polymer is expected to enhance its antibacterial, electrical, and thermal properties. This modification can potentially improve the performance of PLA in the fields of prosthetics manufacturing or printed circuit fabrication. However, the current research is rather focused on the mechanical properties of the PLA-Cu2O nanocomposites. This research is thus aimed to analyze PLA-Cu2O (97-3 wt%) nanocomposites with a double keyhole notch configuration both experimentally and numerically. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray mapping of elemental distribution(X-map), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed to explore the morphology, crystallinity, homogeneity, purity, and thermal stability of the nanocomposite. The specimens were fabricated through two different processes: the classical method of compression molding and the innovative method of 3D printing. The results revealed the superior mechanical performance of the 3D-printed nanocomposite at a 0° raster angle, while the mechanical properties gradually decreased for raster angles of 45° and 90°. The experimental test also indicated a decline in the maximum fracture load of specimens with a double keyhole notch and constant notch inclination angle by raising the notch radius. This behavior was also observed by increasing the notch inclination angle at constant notch radius. The numerical results were similar to the experimental findings. Moreover, the nanocomposite manufactured through the classical method exhibited higher critical fracture load compared to their 3D-printed counterparts with the same geometry.

Using a Delphi Method Approach to Select Theoretical Underpinnings of Crowdsourcing and Rank Their Application to a Crowdsourcing App.

INTRODUCTION: Since the catapult of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, most simulation laboratories are now completed virtually, leaving a gap in skills training and potential for technical skills decay. Acquiring standard, commercially available simulators is prohibitively expensive, but three-dimensional (3D) printing may provide an alternative. This project aimed to develop the theoretical foundations of a crowdsourcing Web-based application (Web app) to fill the gap in health professions simulation training equipment via community-based 3D printing. We aimed to discover how to effectively leverage crowdsourcing with local 3D printers and use these resources to produce simulators via this Web app accessed through computers or smart devices. METHODS: First, a scoping literature review was conducted to discover the theoretical underpinnings of crowdsourcing. Second, these review results were ranked by consumer (health field) and producer (3D printing field) groups via modified Delphi method surveys to determine suitable community engagement strategies for the Web app. Third, the results informed different app iteration ideas and were then generalized beyond the app to address scenarios entailing environmental changes and demands. RESULTS: A scoping review revealed 8 crowdsourcing-related theories. Three were deemed most suitable for our context by both participant groups: Motivation Crowding Theory, Social Exchange Theory, and Transaction Cost Theory. Each theory proposed a different crowdsourcing solution that can streamline additive manufacturing within simulation while applicable to multiple contexts. CONCLUSIONS: Results will be aggregated to develop this flexible Web app that adapts to stakeholder needs and ultimately solves this gap by delivering home-based simulation via community mobilization.

Applying and Testing a Crowdsourcing Platform to Support Home-Based Simulation.

The purpose of this report is to: (1) highlight challenges of transitioning the delivery of simulation from centralized, in-person laboratory to decentralized, home-based, online format; (2) suggest a solution that involves the use of crowdsourcing community-based 3-dimensional printers to produce affordable simulators; and (3) present exploratory research and a test case aiming to identify crowdsourcing frameworks to accomplish this. We present a test case that shows the potential of the proposed solution to scale up the decentralized simulation practices during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. As a largely uncharted territory, the test case highlighted successes and areas for improvement that need to be addressed through both theoretical and empirical research and testing before full implementation and scale-up.

Preliminary Design and Development of a Mechanical Ventilator Using Industrial Automation Components for Rapid Deployment During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) created a shortage of mechanical ventilators in the healthcare sector, resulting in rationed distribution, ethical dilemmas, and high mortalities. This technical report outlines the design and product outcome of a mechanical ventilator based on readily available off-the-shelf components, minimizing the dependence on manufacturing facilities. The ventilator was designed to operate in both hospitals and remote locations, having the ability to operate off various gas pressures and low voltage supplies. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the challenges of developing a device in an online setting with minimal manufacturing assistance were explored. Within a 10-day period, the team designed, prototyped, and conducted preliminary feasibility testing on the mechanical ventilator. The proposed design was not intended to replace, or be used as a medically approved ventilator, but demonstrates the ability to exploit off-the-shelf components to enable fast development and assembly.

The Importance of Personal Protective Equipment Design and Donning and Doffing Technique in Mitigating Infectious Disease Spread: A Technical Report.

During the current coronavirus pandemic, significant emphasis has been placed on the importance of mitigating nosocomial spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). One important consideration involves the appropriate use of effective personal protective equipment (PPE), which may reduce a healthcare provider's likelihood of becoming infected while simultaneously minimizing exposure to other patients that they care for. This may reduce demands placed on the healthcare system and help to preserve the workforce. First, the importance of PPE design cannot be underestimated, as the manufacturing process must strive to maximize protection of the user while ensuring adequate comfort. Second, it has been demonstrated that inadequate education and training can significantly impact compliance with PPE recommendations. Technique regarding donning and doffing of PPE is crucial to the protection of those who don it. The purpose of this technical report is two-fold: first, to describe some important considerations in the manufacturing and design process of face shields to maximize protection for healthcare providers, and second, to describe a simulation scenario that may be used to train healthcare workers in the appropriate donning and doffing of PPE.