Design Challenge
#1: How might we keep our communities in Singapore safe and healthy during the global COVID-19 pandemic?
Project Description
PaperMake is a cheap, foldable and reusable/recyclable (depending on material) half-face mask design that people can fold easily from an A4 size sheet. This mask is designed with the following intent: a) Comparable seal to Surgical Masks b) Use of readily available household items c) Modular in nature/Gives users the flexibility of material selection d) Flat-packed and mass-producible e) “Decoratable” to bring some joy! f) Cost-effective. Technically, the novelty of this design lies in the nose bridge geometry for better seal at the nose bridge and its potential for large area airflow which improves resistance to cough. It aims to be an easy to assemble modular DIY half-faced mask, suitable for everyone.
Criteria #1: Value
Masks demand have shot up significantly with mask manufacturers in China claiming that they are literally “printing money” as prices of medical masks have shot up 166%. Singaporeans have already felt the pinch of the rising costs what more to those living without a social safety net? People living in countries like Africa, parts of Asia/Latin America and the Caribbean, would face even tougher times. Although in Singapore, our government is fortunate to issue reusable masks to the public, it is only a temporary measure as the material will easily deteriorate and protection capabilities will be compromised. There are bound to have families who facing difficult times with getting masks. In desperate situations like these, having an alternative option of protection will always come in useful.
Criteria #2: Inspiration
Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, there are severe shortages of surgical masks and protective gear for the public. Considering developed countries and middle-income populations are facing issues procuring surgical masks, brings me to wonder the severity and difficulty of the situation for low income families. There are multiple DIY masks online but all of them require sewing skills and access to resources like sewing machines, 3d printers and laser cutters. As a challenge, I decided to work on a prototype mask hat could be assembled with household resources, cheap, scalable while giving flexibility to choose the filter and material that is available. This project is targeted to those without the luxury of resources, but circumstances require them to have reasonable protection.
Criteria #3: Impact
Being a cheap and scalable, if it fulfils its function across different faces, PaperMake serves as a suitable substitute to reusable masks that were issued. Besides, being able to decorate on the mask with markers and pencils also means an opportunity for social bonding during the Circuit Breaker! In fact, I have designed a Gundam one! Through building, they will understand how masks work and possibly more local innovators can build on the design. Lastly, local “PPE innovations” are still mostly derivatives of existing work. A functional PaperMake will be truly an original design that Singaporeans can be proud of.
Criteria #4: Timeliness
PaperMake was designed and prototyped <3 weeks with over 18 prototypes. In short, a working Minimum Viable Product (MVP) already available. Instructions to build the mask is also available on Instructables to crowdsource new ideas. What is lacking now is validation and improvements to suit different facial features and lab tests. Once finalized, the design is quickly scalable through stamping which significantly reduces the costs and enable large volume productions.
Estimated duration to market will be less than 3 months and breakdown as follows:
a) Further Improvements & Tests (1.5)
b) Tooling and Sourcing (0.5-1.0)
c) Marketing and Distribution (0.5)
Criteria #5: Systems Thinking
Glad you ask. With a systems mindset, if improved versions of this design are proven to be functional and robust, we can make them free. Being printable would mean that there is marketing potential. One of my visions to make masks accessible and a good way is to do it through marketing. The sides of the mask are designed to accommodate for logos and publications. Compared to traditional ads, with PaperMake, not only do companies pay for ads but also do good for the society. In this way, the less fortunate would have access and a win-win situation is achieved.
