A THOMASIAN engineer designed the “virus container” used in Singapore to isolate and study biologically hazardous substances and infectious diseases like the novel coronavirus (2019-nCov).
Joseph Torres, a mechanical engineering alumnus, said the Containment Barrier Isolator Class III (CBI-III) is an equipment intended to isolate a product or specimen such as virus samples.
“[A containment barrier isolator] also provides a sterile or aseptic environment inside its chamber,” he said in an online interview with the Varsitarian.
Torres’ company, Singapore Corporate and global HQ has factories in 7 locations globally in which Torres is based in their Bintan, Indonesia factory.
“[The process] involves rigorous hours of effort to make sure that the design succeeds,” he said.
The CBI-III is being used at the National Center for Infectious Diseases in Singapore.
He said he would be glad to introduce his designs to local health research centers given the opportunity.
