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Saturday, May 16, 2020

Q and A with Michigan Tech Masterminds of 3D-printed PPE

By Cyndi Perkins, Senior Content Specialist, Michigan Tech University Marketing and Communications
Posted May 7, 2020, on Michigan Tech News
Reprinted in part with permission

Michigan Tech Materials Science and Engineering graduate student Bharath Lavu works with face shields awaiting assembly in the Michigan Tech Open Sustainability Technology Lab. (Photo courtesy Michigan Tech University)

Michigan Technological University’s Van Pelt and Opie Library may be more solitary than ever these days, but it isn't quiet. The library's 3D printers are running full blast, turning out thousands of face shields for community health workers.

Huskies seeking silence would instead find a mini manufacturing center operated by library staff David Holden and John Schneiderhan alongside engineer Joshua Pearce. Together with others across campus and the community, they are tapping the University’s brainpower and equipment to stem the spread of COVID-19. For now, it’s face shields, but plans are in the works to produce other items in short supply, including the swabs essential to COVID-19 testing and National Institutes of Health (NIH) face masks.

John Schneiderhan, who during a typical semester is busy helping students and other library patrons with duplication technology, helps to lead the University's 3D PPE project. (Photo courtesy Michigan Tech University)

The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) has been an active partner every step of the way.

"We are very fortunate to have Michigan Tech engaged in the COVID-19 response locally," said Pete Baril, WUPHD director of planning and community preparedness. "This face shield project is a great example of the partnership between MTU and the community."...

Click here to read the rest of this article on Michigan Tech News

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