An aerosol shield co-designed by Renault’s CFD department has been approved by the NHS for their COVID-19 treatment.
Since the global pandemic brought a halt to Formula 1, the teams have been producing equipment that can be used in the fight against the virus. These include ventilators, breathing aids and Personal Protective Equipment.
The latest device produced is called the “Oxford Box”, and was developed through a collaboration between the Renault team based in Enstone and the University of Oxford. Its purpose is to keep staff safe during the intubation of patients.
It has now been approved for use in four hospitals in Oxfordshire for its effectiveness to be tested.
“We modelled the speed, direction and airflow as we would in F1 and were thus able to advise the best placement, size and shape of the box to take its protection level to near 100 per cent for the treating medic,” said Renault’s Head of CFD Paul Cusdin, as per motorsportweek.com.
“The models were complex to establish, but by applying the principles we would do in developing a car, we were able to improve its protection and condense development from months to weeks.”
The device is the latest in a long list of medical tools F1 teams have produced since the pandemic started, and Cusdin says its proof that, with their technology and personnel, they’re capable of doing much more outside the sport.
“F1 is once again proving its capacity to apply its thinking, technology and processes in speeding up the help we can give to those in genuine need,” he added.
“I hope this will be yet another tool in the ongoing fight against COVID-19.”
On track meanwhile, the French team have been ramping up preparations for the upcoming season with a two-day test at the Red Bull Ring.
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