Face masks made using 3D printers offer improved protection, research suggests

Face masks made using smartphones and 3D printers could help better protect people during future epidemics or further waves of coronavirus, according to research.Engineers at the University of Edinburgh devised a system to create bespoke, reusable masks for health workers – designed using photos taken with smartphones.The researchers carried out a pilot trial with 66 volunteer staff from NHS Lothian, including plastic surgeons, speech therapists and virologists, with the 3D scanners and printers available in hospitals.