ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS TO FIGHT THE THREAT OF COVID-19 UPDATES
The UP College of Engineering’s (UPCoE) CoViD-19 response team headed by Dean Ferdinand G. Manegdeg has identified eight (8) initial projects that were deemed useful in the fight against COVID-19. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, these projects have been sufficiently funded and are now in full operation. Project implementation was also conducted in coordination with the UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (UPERDFI) and UP Alumni Engineers (UPAE).
The following presents a brief update on the accomplishments of each project:
PROJECT #1: 3D PRINTING SOLUTIONS FOR OUR FRONTLINERS
Project lead: Prof. Gerald Jo G. Denoga (UPDME)
Project team members: Prof. Michael Angelo A. Pedrasa (UPEEEI), Asst. Prof. Mario Carreon (UPDCS) and Mr. Erik Lacson (Meta-Tech)
Seventeen (17) 3D printers are now up and running and have produced 1,000 pieces of face shield frames.
Five hundred twelve (512) pieces of fully assembled face shields are now ready for distribution and three hundred eighty-six (386) has been distributed to different hospitals and institutions.
Initial beneficiaries of the fully assembled face shields include Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC), University Health Service (UHS) UP Diliman, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and Pangasinan Hospitals.
The early success of this endeavor was also made possible through the support and contribution of the following individuals and teams: Mr. Joseph Villanueva (technical and operations), Dr. Binky Ortiz (technical and logistics), Mr. Buddy Magsipoc (technical and donations), and Mr. Christian Aquino and the Acacia Residence Hall Team (assembly).
PROJECT #2: PROTOTYPE ADULT VENTILATOR
Project lead: Asst. Prof. Paul L. Rogers (DME)
Project team members: Dr. Manuel V. Hernandez, Jr. (UPDME), Prof. Edwin N. Quiros (UPDME), Assoc. Prof. Carl Michael F. Odulio (UPEEEI), and Dr. Joel M. Santiaguel (UP PGH)
A crude proof-of-concept model was created. Initial testing of the prototype proved promising but also exposed some weaknesses. The design is now undergoing additional fine-tuning. Important ventilator parts such as piping materials, fittings and manual (pressure control) valves have already been procured. But the team still awaits the delivery of the solenoid, pump/blower (arrival within 9-19 days), oxygen tank, pressure regulator, and low-pressure gauges (Magnahelic). The different components of the ventilator are simultaneously being worked on by Assoc. Prof. Carl Michael F. Odulio (electronic controls) and Dr. Joel M. Santiaguel (operating parameters).
PROJECT #3: TRACKING HIGH-RISK INDIVIDUALS
Project lead: Prof. Ariel C. Blanco (UPDGE)
Project team members: Assoc. Prof. Rosalie B. Reyes (UPDGE), Asst. Prof. Czar Jakiri S. Sarmiento (UPDGE), Asst. Prof. Roseanne V. Ramos (UPDGE), Asst. Prof. Ransie Joy Apura (UPDGE) and Asst. Prof. Edgardo G. Macatulad (UPDGE)
Project 3 is composed of two component projects, namely, the development of (i) a contact tracing system and (ii) a system for assisting allocation of medical supplies to hospitals. The latter, called the TrAMS (Tracing for Allocation of Medical Supplies), has been initially deployed and an advanced TrAMS has been endorsed for funding to the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Research and Development (PCIEERD). The contract tracing system ConTra COVID-19, or ConTra for short, is shown in the figure below. ConTra will utilize data from various sources, namely, GPS position logs (representing users’ location), bluetooth records (of user-to-user “interaction” based proximity in space and time), and for call data records (with consent from persons of interest). The system will also utilize risk and vulnerability layers being generated using data on COVID-19 cases, population distribution by age, comorbidities, and other factors. These will be subjected to spatio-temporal cross-analysis to identify potential PUIs and PUMs. LGU’s can use all this information for their informed decisions and actions.
ConTra’s data collection system is being tested. As shown in the figure below, the mobile app outputs a log of user positions based on GPS. The accuracy of these coordinates will be taken in consideration in the analysis for contact tracing. The potential limitations of this approach can be addressed using Bluetooth, call data records, and through information provided by app users.
PROJECT #4: DISINFECTION AND DECONTAMINATION THROUGH PLASMA CLEANING
Project lead: Assoc. Prof. Magdaleno R. Vasquez, Jr. (UPDMMME)
Project team members: Asst. Prof. Katrina Lois M. Taaca (UPDMMME) and Assoc. Prof. Eduardo R. Magdaluyo (UPDMMME)
This project aims to fabricate a mobile plasma treatment apparatus that can be employed for the disinfection of building surfaces (e.g. hospital walls, emergency rooms, walkways), PPEs and health utilities (e.g. air filters), and office equipment. The prototype has been created and is currently undergoing rigorous vacuum leak testing. This project is in coordination with the UP Manila College of Medicine, the UP Philippine General Hospital and the faculty of UPCOE.
PROJECT #5: DISINFECTION OF PPE VIA UV LIGHT
Project lead: Prof. Florencio C. Ballesteros, Jr. (UPDChE) and Assoc. Prof. Eligia D. Clemente (UPDMMME)
Project team members: Prof. Ferdinand G. Manegdeg (UPDME), Prof. Annaliza P. Rollon (UPEnE) and Dr. Louernie de Sales-Papa (UPEnE)
The project has completed the preliminary prototype as shown in the image. The team is now working on the protocols to be followed for the efficient and effective use of the cabinet including assessment of the disinfection efficiency.
PROJECT #6: ChlorGen: ON-SITE HYPOCHLORITE DISINFECTANT GENERATION VIA BRINE WATER ELECTROLYSIS
Project lead: Assoc. Prof. Joey D. Ocon (UPDChE)
Project team members: Asst. Prof. Julie Anne D. del Rosario (UPDChE), Asst. Prof. Miguel M. Remolona (UPDChE), Asst. Prof. Allan Yago (UPIC), Instr. Marlon L. Mopon Jr. (UPDChE) and Instr. Paul Jake B. Nalzaro (UPDChE)
The ChlorGen team has already assembled the electrochemical chamber using a set of special electrodes, which last longer than typical steel or metal electrodes. The prototype is capable of continuously producing a one (1) liter every 15 minutes or approximately ninety-six (96) liters a day of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solutions, which is the basic component of bleach-based disinfectants. The reactor can be powered by any 12V Pb-acid battery, requiring only the use of table salt (sodium chloride) and filtered water as feedstock to produce sodium hypochlorite. The team is now optimizing the ChlorGen setup and confirming the product concentration via quantitative analysis at the UP Institute of Chemistry (UPIC).
Project #7: DESIGN AND PROTOTYPING OF A POWERED AIR-PURIFYING RESPIRATOR
Project lead (7A): Prof. Paul Rodgers (DME)
Project team members: Prof. Louis Angelo Danao (DME) and Dr. Francis Palencia (Argonix Medical Corporation)
Project lead (7B): Prof. Gerald Jo C. Denoga (DME)
Project team members: Engr. Ralph S. Jose (UPDME Alumnus), Instr. Gaudan Albert Chekov Castillo (EEEI), Asst. Prof. Juvy A. Balbarona (DME), Asst. Prof. Samiel Louie Arrojado (DME) and Instr. Jose Ygnacio Jesus A. Macaspac V (DME)
This project aims to produce two (2) powered air-purifying respirator designs and associate prototypes. Currently, the group of alumni and faculty are working together to re-purpose non-medical filtration systems. Vital components of the apparatus are also being procured from different local suppliers. Fabrication of prototypes would immediately commence once purchased items are delivered.
Project #8: REVITALIZATION OF NON-FUNCTIONING UP-PGH VENTILATOR SYSTEMS
Project lead: Asst. Prof. Samiel Louie Arrojado (DME)
Project team members: Prof. Gerald Jo C. Denoga (DME), Prof. Ferdinand G. Manegdeg (DME) and Assoc. Prof. Carl Michael F. Odulio (EEEI)
This project aims to repair non-functioning ventilators at the PGH, and then re-introduce these into active service.
Nine (9) non-functioning ventilators were brought to the UP Department of Mechanical Engineering for assessment. The team found that several vital components are missing from the ventilators. However, current circumstances would prevent the acquisition of the needed parts; consequently, the practicality of doing the repairs at UP became questionable. Hence, the team eventually recommended that the ventilators be forwarded to an authorized service center.
We, the UPCoE community led by Dean Ferdinand G. Manegdeg, commend all the project personnel involved in these undertakings. We are extremely proud of your efforts and sacrifices, and you all deserve our utmost gratitude and respect.
Certainly, none of the above works would have been accomplished if our friends have not heeded our call for help. Therefore, allow us again to express our sincere appreciation and profound gratitude to all our donors and benefactors for their generosity.
HOW YOU CAN STILL HELP?
Although all the projects are progressing steadily, it is still in need of ample support and assistance specifically for the newly proposed projects: Project #9: IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL DRUG CANDIDATES FOR THE SARS-COV-2 USING STRUCTURE BASED DRUG DISCOVERY and PROJECT #10: TOOL KIT FOR QUICK ESTIMATION OF COVID-19 INFECTIVES
Supplies and Consumables donations
Each project is accepting supplies and consumables donations. To acquire the list of the needed supplies, please send an email to Assoc. Prof. Eden May B. Dela Pena (ebdelapena@up.edu.ph).
Cash donations
For cash donations, please course through the UP Engineering and Research Development Foundation (UPERDFI) or UP Alumni Engineers (UPAE) accounts:
Account Name: UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation, Inc.
Bank & Account No.: BPI (Loyola Katipunan Branch),
C/A 3081-0292-44
Account Name: UPAEA, Inc.
Bank & Account No.: BDO Peso Savings (Katipunan Branch),
003570035829
Account Name: University of the Philippines Alumni Engineers Association, Inc. (UPAEA, Inc.)
Bank & Account No.: BDO Dollar Savings (Katipunan Branch)
103570152663
SWIFT CODE: BNORPHMM
Kindly send a copy of the deposit slip, or a screenshot of the electronic transaction, to Assoc. Prof. Eden May B. dela Peña ebdelapena@up.edu.ph, Associate Dean for Public Service College of Engineering UP Diliman, for accounting purposes. Donations will be acknowledged accordingly, and an audited report will be emailed to our donors.
Furthermore, for suggestions and enquiries on the different projects, send an email to Assoc. Prof. Eden May B. dela Peña at ebdelapena@up.edu.ph.
Together, we will get through this challenging time. We continue to wish for everyone’s safety, health and well-being.
UPDCoE 20200408 – 11