translated from Spanish: 13 COVID-19 Innovation Challenge winners announced to protect health personnel

The Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation and Corfo, supported by the Government Laboratory of the General Secretariat of the Presidency, on Monday delivered the results of the call “Covid-19 Innovation Challenge”, which will grant $800 million pesos to the financing of rapidly implementing solutions aimed at protecting health personnel from Coronavirus contagion.
Following the evaluation of a jury composed of experts from the world of health, science and entrepreneurship, 13 innovation initiatives were selected that will allow to respond to the high national demand for protective elements such as masks, face shields and costumes.
The projects – developed in Valparaiso, Santiago, Concepción, Puerto Montt and Coyhaique – will be co-financed and accompanied in their development, testing, implementation and /or escalation.
“Safeguarding health personnel who are exposed to the virus is one of the urgent measures to respond to this pandemic. We thank the four universities, six companies and civil society innovators who responded to this challenge with concrete solutions that may soon be available to all those at the forefront of this emergency. Caring for health personnel is a priority and that’s why we’ve been working on this from the very first moment,” said Science Minister Andrés Couve.
“Putting innovation at the service of people is the goal of our Government Laboratory. This call showed that this is more possible than ever, especially in such an important area as safeguarding our health staff, who are doing everything on their side to confront the Covid-19 pandemic. We are pleased that so many creative initiatives will soon be available to those who need them most,” said The President-General Minister Felipe Ward.
“We received nearly 300 proposals in this Innovation Challenge that seeks to protect health personnel, which shows the great enthusiasm of the entrepreneurs of our country to contribute in solutions to face the Covid-19. Innovation and efficiency in acting have become fundamental in this pandemic, and our entrepreneurs are once again demonstrating that as a state we have succeeded in betting on them,” said Pablo Terrazas, Executive Vice President of Corfo.
Selected “COVID19 Innovation Challenge”
Valparaiso Region
-KAPLAN Protection – Cardiovascular Foundation Dr. Jorge Kaplan Meyer: Mask and shield model printed with 3D technology capable of being made with recycled material.
-Facial shields. Digital manufacture at the service of the valparaiso region – Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso: Redesign, testing, validation and manufacture of facial protectors.
-ARC Shields – Nicolás Ripoll Kameid: reusable facial shields with 3D printing manufacturing.
Metropolitan Region
-Cooper Face Shield – Felipe Olivares: facial protectors made up of vice and mica.
-LIVMASK, the mask that saves the lives of our health personnel – Investments and Services FIX SpA: Non-disposable and disinfectable mask with airtight adaptation.
-Experimental validation of a 3D printable breathing device (mask), with copper-based nano-structures as an antiviral agent for SARS-CoV-2 – University of Los Andes
-CAREFILT Mask – FilterClima SpA.: prototype respiratory face protection with long service life.
-CuidaPro Facial – University of Chile: low cost face protector, with ergonomic design, hygienizable and reusable.
-FreeBreath – Compagnon Bernabe S.A.: modular mask adaptable by 3D printing or injection molding with replaceable filtration cartridge and exhalation valve.
-Fast Shield – Llaguno & Munizaga Ltda.: a face protector manufactured 100% with laser or die-cutting in one piece and fully adjustable strap.
Biobío Region
-Cover+: Collaborative solutions in copper – BabyCu Chile SpA: Washable and reusable face mask with active antimicrobial action with copper and zinc particles.
Los Lagos Region
-EPP Elements Reusable barrier adapted to act as protective element of health personnel – Commercial EKS Limited: clothing for medical personnel.
Aysén Region
-Project strengthening production EPP – FABTEC and University of Aysén: Reusable and sanitizing face shields, laser-manufactured masks and insulation domes.

Original source in Spanish