The Japanese company Nippon Paint has partnered with the American business Corning to develop a special coating to prevent surfaces from being inhabited by microbes such as viruses and bacteria. Basically, the coating features Corning's “Guardiant Antimicrobial Particles” technology, which prevents viruses from adhering to surfaces while killing off harmful bacteria. The coating was developed for health institutions and, in future, will also be used in the maritime industry.

A partnership of scientists from universities in Rio de Janeiro, London and Waterloo has developed an algorithm that individually analyses patients' alarm signals and thereby significantly reduces the number of false alarms. In the medical context, people use the term “alarm fatigue” as the majority of alarm signals do not really require a carer to be involved. The artificial intelligence has enabled the scientists to reduce the irrelevant alarm signals by up to 95% so that medical workers need only respond when their help really is required.

The AI design studio LuxMea Studio has partnered with the 3D printing marketplace Shapeways to develop a face mask that can be individually adapted to the shape of the user's face. With the “Nuo 3D”, the precise fit is determined using AI. A video of the user's face is also made so that the algorithm can calculate the right dimensions. Features like beard length can also be taken into consideration, besides the shape and size of the face, and the mask is then printed. The delivery also includes removable valves and filters. What's more, the mask has an airtight seal in line with the N95 standard.

After the end of the pandemic lockdown, NFL team the Detroit Lions announced its schedule in Nintendo's video game “Animal Crossing: New Horizons”. In a seven-minute video, the team creatively unveiled which opponents they will face throughout the 2020 season in a variety of ways, like burying a stuffed bear in a hole to signify they will play the Chicago Bears in their season opener. What's more, the players of the life simulation game on the Switch console can dress up in virtual clothes in the design of the football team.

The British start-up HUN Wine has ironically celebrated the launch of its vegan wine in cans. As all the events where the wine cans were supposed to be promoted were cancelled due to the lockdown, HUN Wine chose an unusual OOH campaign. TBWA\London created posters that featured the campaign's main problem rather than the product itself. Londoners found out about HUN Wine from slogans such as, “Our advertising agency put our poster out here. They're not our advertising agency anymore” and “Did you see our new advertising campaign? No, didn't think so”.