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Projects That Fight Germs

14rhb

Just thinking....

 

I always think that us engineers are a very resourceful lot: TV shows like 'scrap heap challenge' and watching Youtube videos where someone makes an electronic circuit from junk are just a few examples. For anyone not familiar with what engineers do then just have a look around this website for a few minutes at the vast breadth of great project ideas. Therefore, given the current global outbreak of COVID-19, I wonder if there are a few things us engineers could devise that might help in some way. The idea being if they were affordable in terms of the component availability/resources then others with similar resources could replicate them and hopefully help a few friends, neighbours, colleagues out that way. Maybe even something that helps in the medium term while people, especially older folk, are in isolation. And finally looking much further ahead are there things that could help prevent the spread of germs.

My ideas, although most are not new: a contactless hand wash system would be very helpful, a contactless temperature monitor, a germ free door handle (can a low current effectively clean a metal handle?), a 3D printed gripper to open and close a variety of doors, a portable UV sterilizer for cutlery etc. If you could make a system that can electronically replace toilet roll then currently you'll be a hero/heroine in many countries - but please tone down any video evidence in subsequent blog posts image.

 

Maybe this could be an 'E14 Flash Challenge' - a special E14 theme to address an urgent issue, . I'd also suggest no $100 shopping cart prizes for this but instead some unique badges? If not, then I'm sure any discussions or ideas below could help others make an electronics/engineering based project that they hope will make a slight difference in some way.

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  • "...a germ free door handle (can a low current effectively clean a metal handle?)..."

     

    Episode 235: Ben Heck's Automatic Sanitizing Doorknob Episode

     

    I seem to recall in the old days hospitals used to use copper door plates and handrails a lot in an attempt to reduce the spread of germs but this practise was later stopped.

     

    "...If you could make a system that can electronically replace toilet roll then currently you'll be a hero/heroine in many countries..."

    This already exists in the form of bidet toilets. The auto targeting 'jet wash' is popular in some parts of Japan I believe.

  • in reply to beacon_dave

    Hi Dave,

     

    I also remember a study that showed copper (and maybe brass as well) had an inherent sterilising effect. Unfortunately they looked dirty compared to the stainless steel or plastic door accessories and were often replaced. Maybe they will get reintroduced in the longer term?

     

    The toilet challenge would IMO produce some interesting homebrew ideas, hopefully at lower-cost.

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  • in reply to beacon_dave

    Hi Dave,

     

    I also remember a study that showed copper (and maybe brass as well) had an inherent sterilising effect. Unfortunately they looked dirty compared to the stainless steel or plastic door accessories and were often replaced. Maybe they will get reintroduced in the longer term?

     

    The toilet challenge would IMO produce some interesting homebrew ideas, hopefully at lower-cost.

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