Innovation in the Time of Corona

NC State’s community has risen to the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis with creative responses and necessary innovations. In Innovation in the Time of Corona, we are documenting a few of these.

The exhibit includes masks and specialized material being created by the Nonwoven Institute. The NWI is dedicating its meltblown and spunbond nonwoven making facilities and expertise to produce specially designed fabrics that can be delivered to U.S. manufacturers to assemble face masks. "Our 40-inch wide pilot lines have produced enough materials for over 100 million masks - this is what automation can do. We are the ONLY university on earth that could pull this off. This gives Think and Do a new meaning." - Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi, ED of the NWI.

It also features 3D printed face shields being produced on campus. NC State’s Center for Additive Manufacturing and Logistics (CAMAL) is using 3D printers to create face shields. The lab is currently producing, on average, 200 face shields each day for health care workers at WakeMed.

And through the organization and coordination of Cas Saroza, Dispatch from Quarantine, an online zine of artist expression in a virtual reality gallery space was made possible. "This project was an exciting way to create an outlet for people around NC State after an abrupt end to the spring semester. I was surprised and touched by the sincerity, creativity, and engagement from folks who opened up about their worst fears and greatest triumphs in a time where we were all looking for some sort of connection." —Cas Saroza