Summary
A 3D-printed attachment piece that serves as an enhanced contact point for eyewear to prevent slippage and condensation
Description
Description
Target Audience:
People who regularly wear glasses, sunglasses, or other forms of eye protection that may be prone to slippage and condensation when wearing a mask
Description:
Masks often pose an inconvenience to individuals wearing glasses and sunglasses due to slippage from the lack of a sufficient contact point and condensation from escaped air. We propose a 3D-printed assemblage that can be attached (such as via a clipping mechanism) to the upper portion of a face mask and serve as a contact point for eyewear. Ideally, this attached piece will have grooves that the nose pads of glasses can fit into, or be made of a material that maximizes friction with the nose pads to prevent slippage during high-impact activities such as running. Alternatively, wire supports can be inserted directly into the mask to accomplish the goal of having an elevated platform for eyewear, although this may not be as effective for high-impact activities or for people with lower nose bridges. Additionally, the attached piece can form a seal around the upper rim of the mask to prevent escaped air from fogging up the glasses while also serving as an additional contact point for the lower rim of the glasses. The attachment piece can be customizable to cater to a variety of individual tastes, making it both a convenient tool and a potential fashion statement.
Who will take these actions?
The attachment piece can be fabricated by anyone with access to a 3D printer and design file, though companies can seek to commercialize upon the idea by customizing the product and marketing it as a mask accessory and fashion item.
What are the projected costs?
Costs will be dependent upon the material but could be <$2 per piece if produced in bulk, as typical FDM filaments used for 3D printing are ~$25 per kilogram, and we expect the piece to be very lightweight. Additional costs may include those associated with a 3D printer ($200-$4000), as well as the time needed to design, customize, and fabricate the attachment piece.
Timeline
Once a design file has been created, the fabrication of a basic attachment piece can be completed within a few days. This may take longer for customized pieces and those that require more specialized material.
About the author(s)
Janice Tjan, Fiona Lin, Lizi Maziashvili, Joseph Morales, Aneesh Batra, and Susan Su are undergraduate researchers and high school students working at the Community Biotechnology Initiative of the MIT Media Lab.
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