The Unprecedented Role of 3D Printing Technology in Fighting the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comprehensive Review.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapidly spread to over 180 countries and abruptly disrupted production rates and supply chains worldwide. Since then, 3D printing, also recognized as additive manufacturing (AM) and known to be a novel technique that uses layer-by-layer deposition of material to produce intricate 3D geometry, has been engaged in reducing the distress caused by the outbreak. During the early stages of this pandemic, shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), including facemasks, shields, respirators, and other medical gear, were significantly answered by remotely 3D printing them.

An improved spinal injury parameter model for underbody impulsive loading scenarios.

Underbody blast events such as aircraft ejection, mine blast, and helicopter crashes pose a serious threat to occupants. These impulsive excitations exert substantial axial loads on the thoracolumbar spine causing severe injuries. The Dynamic Response Index (DRI), which is commonly used as the injury parameter for underbody loading scenarios, suffers from inherent disadvantages and has been reported to underpredict the chances of injury.