From USC News:

“As volunteers mobilize to equip USC’s health care workers with essential protection against the coronavirus, they’re racing against time.

Doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and other professionals at Keck Hospital of USC, USC Norris Cancer Hospital and USC Verdugo Hills Hospital depend on masks and face shields to stay safe as they treat patients. With the nation facing a shortage, USC’s medical leaders called for help.

USC scientists and engineers responded by diverting existing gear from laboratories to Keck Medicine hospitals, but their effort has grown into a manufacturing push to build new equipment. Hundreds of USC faculty and staff members, students and volunteers turned their homes, garages and workshops into little factories. They build face shields and respirator masks using laser cutters and 3D printers. Their sewing machines churn out medical gowns.

“Almost every fabrication space on campus is trying to contribute. Everybody is trying to figure out the best thing they can make with their facilities,” said Tucker Rae-Grant, digital fabrication lab specialist at the USC Iovine and Young Academy and one of the leaders of the response.”

By Gary Polakovic, the manager of research communications at USC University Communications.

Read the full article here.