Local high school students use 3D printers to help fill in gaps in medical supply

REDMOND, Wash. — Students at TESLA Stem High School, located in Redmond, are stepping up to help fill in gaps in the medical supply due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The students, including senior Ayan Gupta, are helping make masks from 3D printers for first responders in need.

Gupta said he’s using a spare bedroom in his parent’s house, a borrowed 3D printer from the school and designs uploaded to the internet to help with production. Friends and fellow students are the other parts in a supply chain -- pumping out about 50 masks a day.

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"These are meant to fill the gap between people who don't have any masks and people who don't have sufficient supplies," Gupta told KIRO 7.

The masks produced by Gupta and friends will eventually make their way to Swedish’s Redmond campus for feedback to see you they can best help first responders. The masks are supplemental -- meant to be worn under N95 masks doctors may have to reuse.

Gupta said the idea struck him while he watched the news during social isolation at home, and he has a few words for other students who may also find themselves wanting to pitch in.

“The best and safest thing to do is gather a group of friends, virtually, not in person and try to come up with a way to help out whether it be outreach for a hospital or creating a community forum,” Gupta said.

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