FMIPA UI researchers who are members of the University of Indonesia (UI) expert team and researchers initiated and developed a prototype of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the form of face shields using Battery Powered Air Purifier (RPUBB) or Powered Air Purifying Respirator technology.

This tool can work for six hours continuously and can be embedded in a bag or a special belt in operation. The UI innovation results from the UI are expected to be able to protect medical personnel who are in charge of caring for COVID-19 patients.

The development of APD Air Purifying Respirators by FMIPA UI researchers collaborated with research teams from the Faculty of Medicine (FK) and the Faculty of Nursing (FIK) under coordination and with funding support from the Directorate of Innovation and Science Techno Park UI (DISTP UI). The RPDD APD prototype will be tested at UI Hospital (RSUI).

The high number of medical personnel who were victims of COVID-19 transmission in carrying out their duties in the field became the background that encouraged the development of this tool. This PPE is equipped with an air purifying module, a data panel as an indicator for measuring the level of filtered air quality, a full face mask, complete with an air hose, and a battery module as a tool power supply.

UI Vice Rector for Research and Innovation, Prof. Dr. rer nat. Abdul Haris said that the handling of the COVID-19 outbreak was a shared responsibility of all the children of the nation. “As an effort to contribute to the nation, we also try to mobilize a team of experts and researchers in the UI to jointly develop PPE that can help health workers in carrying out their duties in the midst of the plague that hit Indonesia and has already claimed many lives from medical staff” , said Haris.

The development of the PPE Air Purifier Respirator is expected to be one of the medical support tools that can help the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and increase the number of medical device products that can be produced domestically. The UI Research Team that has developed this tool invites all parties to participate in helping the mass production of PPE so that it can be utilized by all health care institutions throughout Indonesia. The participation of all parties will greatly assist the government in combating epidemics that threaten all elements of the nation.