HappyShieldGif

What?


HappyShield is a new open-source design for a simple, foldable face shield for infection control developed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Update (2021 02 08): our paper “Curved-crease origami face shields for infection control”, is now available open-access in the journal PLOS One. As part of this publication, we have also shared the parametric design tool used to develop the HappyShield design. Try making your own face shield design here!

Update: HappyShield, as manufactured by the University of Cambridge Department of Architecture using the “Laser-cut and Pressure Creasing” manufacturing method, has now recieved CE marking certification. Please note this approval applies only in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, and does not apply to other manufacturing methods, and production by manufacturers other than the University of Cambridge Department of Architecture. If you do manufacture and distribute face shields based on the HappyShield design, please know that the University of Cambridge and the University of Queensland will not accept any liability related to this. Please also note that you as a manufacturer are responsible for obtaining and maintaining the relevant approvals for manufacturing and distribution in your jurisdiction. Furthermore, as a manufacturer, you are responsible for maintaining your own suitable insurance appropriate for your activities manufacturing and distributing face shields.


Why?


Healthcare workers need face shields in addition to masks and goggles to provide protection from splashes and sprays of infected bodily fluids from Covid-19 patients during a number of high-risk medical procedures and situations. There is currently a significant shortage of face shields globally, which is likely to be particularly severe in less wealthy regions without the ability to buy or manufacture necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as easily or quickly as wealthy countries.


How?


The aim of this project is to develop a set of designs for face shields which are safe, cheap, easy to mass-produce quickly using materials, equipment, and labour available in low and middle-income regions, are easy to reuse, and are comfortable enough to be worn for extended periods by healthcare workers without inducing pain or discomfort. This effort has yielded HappyShield, which successfully meets these design goals. The features of the HappyShield design are listed below:


Features


  • Single-sheet fluid-impermeable design with extra protection from fluids and sprays from above.

  • Easy decontamination for reuse over high numbers of shifts.

  • Form-fitting and adjustable shape allowing for comfortable wearing for extended periods.

  • Fast, flexible and scaleable mass-manufacturing approaches to help meet global demand despite supply chain disruptions.





Documentation and Templates


All of our design documentation and template files are available open-source on GitHub, licensed under the Creative Commons “Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International” License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). Pull requests are encouraged!

Issues / Feature Requests: if you find any errors / omissions in any of the documentation or template files, or would like to request an addition or feature, please feel free to submit an Issue to one of our GitHub repositories! Thank you!


Production Method Web Print Video Templates
Hand Creasing
Laser-cut + Pressure Creasing
Laser-cut  
Laminated      
WaveShield


Disclaimer


The University of Cambridge (UC) and the University of Queensland (UQ) make no warranty of any kind, express or implied, about the design, characteristics, durability, proper use or performance of the HappyShield, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for any particular purpose. The HappyShield is designed to minimise exposure to fluids and sprays, but UC and UQ do not warrant that HappyShield will protect users from COVID-19 infection or any other infectious disease. Nothing in this material constitutes medical advice, and users should seek their own medical advice about whether HappyShield is suitable for the use they intend, and whether they should use it in conjunction with any other medical or other strategies. To the fullest extent allowed by law, UC and UQ exclude all implied warranties, guarantees, terms and conditions. UC and UQ are not liable for any claims, demands, damages or injuries, including but not limited to property damage, bodily injury or illness, death, indirect, special or consequential damages (“the Claims”) arising out of using the HappyShield, and users of HappyShield release UC and UQ and their officers, employees, contractors and agents from all Claims. Manufacturers shall indemnify UC and UQ and each of their respective affiliates, and the trustees, council members, directors, officers, employees, students, contractors, consultants, and other researchers of each of UC, UQ, and each of their respective affiliates (together, “the Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all losses, damages, fines, penalties, liabilities, charges, and any other costs, fees, and expenses of any nature whatsoever suffered or incurred by any of the Indemnified Parties in connection with any Claim, demand, proceeding, judgment, or any other action of any nature whatsoever arising out of or in connection with (a) any use of the Happy Shield designs by the manufacturer; and/or (b) the design, development, manufacture, use, marketing, promotion, selling or supplying of, or any other dealing in, any of the manufacturer’s products.


Project Credits

University of Cambridge, Department of Architecture
Centre for Natural Material Innovation

University of Queensland, School of Civil Engineering
Folded Structures Lab

Wesam Al Asali
Tom Bashford
Aurimas Bukauskas
Mutsuko Grant
Joe Gattas
Ana Gatoo
Yelda Gin
Will Hawkins
Millie Hood
Aftab Jalia
Antiopi Koronaki
Jeff Lee
Ana Maia
Andy Conway Morris
Josh Newman
Daniel Ott
Michael Ramage
Darshil Shah