Extreme E to partner with QEV Technologies to distribute Q-Vent battery-powered respirator
16 April, Barcelona: Off-road electric racing series Extreme E is to work in partnership with engineering company QEV Technologies, to distribute its Q-Vent respirator, developed and manufactured in tandem with Hospital de Sant Pau, Nissan and Eurecat technology centre.
The respirator is designed to be used in hospital ICUs to alleviate a global lack of automatic conventional respirators caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Its design is intended to contribute to supplying emerging countries, with reliable, flexible performance, ease of use and accessibility to all markets.
The portable, 22-kilogram device is developed by QEV Technologies and the Research Institute of Hospital de Sant Pau – IIB Sant Pau. It automates a resuscitator, manually assisting patients’ breathing.
Q-Vent has already been authorised by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) to be used in clinical investigation and has been tested in the facilities of the Research Institute of the Hospital de Sant Pau – IIB Sant Pau (Barcelona) with excellent results.
Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme E, said: “Everyone around the world, in business and our communities, is currently asking themselves, ‘what skills can we bring to the table in the fight against coronavirus? Our talented partners at QEV Technologies, alongside Hospital de Sant Pau, Nissan and Eurecat, have found an incredible way to direct and utilise their expertise to help make a difference to those who are in urgent need around the globe.
“Our championship will visit a number of emerging countries that, as is the case in many nations worldwide, are currently suffering shortages of conventional respirators. Using our network and commercial relationships, we will focus all of our attention on supporting QEV Technologies with the distribution of this device to those countries.
“The hard work QEV Technologies, Nissan, Eurecat and Hospital de Sant Pau have done in innovating, testing and building the Q-Vent device is admirable and we will help in any way we can to widen its use and make a difference to those in remote communities, developing nations and field hospitals.”
Manufacture of the Q-Vent will begin this week at Nissan’s engine and gearbox plant in Zona Franca. Nissan’s engineers have developed the production process for serial manufacturing, with a capacity of 180 units per day.
“Since the beginning of the epidemic, we assumed the challenge of developing a low-cost portable system that could reach all corners of the world, especially those emerging countries where the Covid-19 was going to cause a great damage and where the majority of the patients were not going to have access to respirators. And thanks to everyone’s effort and desire, this has been possible”, explains Miguel Valldecabres, CEO at QEV Technologies.
Eurecat has advised on the design and production of selected components, as well as managing the process for the inclusion of hospitals in the clinical study, as is the case of the Althaia Foundation (Hospital Red Asistencial Universitaria from Manresa).
Q-Vent allows control of frequency, pressure and volume of oxygen supplied to the patient and includes a security system with audible alarms and an internal auxiliary battery that provides emergency battery support in the event of a mains power failure.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
About Extreme E:
Extreme E is a radical new racing series, which will see electric SUVs competing in extreme environments around the world which have already been damaged or affected by climate and environmental issues. The five-race global voyage highlights the impact of climate change and human interference in some of the world’s most remote locations and promotes the adoption of electric vehicles to help preserve the environment and protect the planet.
Provisional Extreme E Season 1 (2021) calendar:
23-24 January: Lac Rose, Dakar, Senegal
5-6 March: Al-‘Ula, Saudi Arabia
14-15 May: Kali Gandaki Valley, Mustang District, Nepal
28-29 August: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
30-31 October: Santarém, Pará, Brazil
Another unique feature of Extreme E is its floating garage, the RMS St. Helena. The former Royal Mail cargo-passenger vessel is undergoing a modernisation and refit in order to lower its emissions. It will be used to transport the championship’s freight and infrastructure, including vehicles, to the nearest port, minimising Extreme E’s footprint as well as being used to facilitate scientific research through an on-board laboratory.
In addition to live race action, Extreme E has joined forces with Academy Award winning filmmaker Fisher Stevens, producer of The Cove and Before The Flood, who will direct a Netflix style documentary series to highlight the specific climate threats facing each ecosystem.
Extreme E is operated in association with Formula E – the organiser of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. Extreme E is committed to sustainability and minimising environmental impact – as well as playing its part in re-building and restoring areas already impacted by climate change.
The championship made the Official Shortlist for the Sport Industry Awards 2020 in the Cutting Edge Sport Category, acknowledging the championship’s incredible progress in its first year.
About Continental:
Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and networked mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transport. In 2018, Continental generated preliminary sales of approximately €44.4 billion and currently employs some 244,000 people in 60 countries and markets.
The Tyre division has 24 production and development locations worldwide. As one of the leading tyre manufacturers with around 54,000 employees, the division posted sales of €11.3 billion in 2017. Continental ranks among the technology leaders in tyre production and offers a broad product range for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and two-wheelers. Through continuous investment in R&D, Continental makes a major contribution to safe, cost-effective and ecologically efficient mobility. The Tyre division’s portfolio includes services for the tyre trade and for fleet applications, as well as digital management systems for commercial vehicle tyres.
About CBMM:
CBMM is the world leading supplier of niobium products and technology. Headquartered in Brazil, with offices and subsidiaries in China, Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland and the United States, CBMM offers technical innovation to customers around the globe through a team of over 2,000 highly trained, dedicated professionals providing cutting-edge niobium products and technology to over 300 customers in 50 countries.
About LuisaViaRoma:
Established in 1929, LuisaViaRoma has been an online luxury destination since 1999. In 2019, LuisaViaRoma celebrated the company’s 90th anniversary, as well as the 20th anniversary of its online business.
Sources: Extreme E PR