Some materials were too rigid, while others were more flexible but harder to fabricate. The filter holder design had to be changed. The strap placement had to be reconsidered. There were plenty of challenges, but these Summer Scholars were able to unmask every problem.
Remember what it was like wearing a mask during COVID every single day? It wasn't just a nuisance, it was uncomfortable. Every person wore a one-size-fits-all mask, but the shapes and contours of our faces are all completely different. This summer, Summer Scholars Gabriella Frisone '29 and Addison Truax '29, in collaboration with Kamyar Pashayi, Ph.D., associate professor, tackled this question:
Can we use modern engineering tools to design something more personal, more comfortable, and more responsive to the needs of the individual user?
The answer may be moot for most (until the next global pandemic), but for medical personnel or anyone immunocompromised, the masks never came off. A customized mask engineered for one, not all, could make a world of difference. To make the prototype, Frisone and Truax needed to combine applied physics with engineering design, along with 3D scanning, CAD modeling, and 3D printing. That's an ambitious project for rising sophomores. How did they get here? Frisone's journey to this specific lab began her senior year of high school.
"I met Dr. Pashayi at an Accepted Students Day when I was still deciding between several schools," said Frisone. "After his presentation, he gave out his email address and encouraged us to follow-up. No professor at any of the other schools I visited did that. So we emailed back and forth and he was so helpful. I know this sounds cliché, but I chose Siena because everyone was so nice."
This past spring, Frisone ended up with a seat in Pashayi's statics course. She frequently attended office hours, learned about this project, and earned a spot in the lab this summer as a Summer Scholar. This summer, more than 80 Saints, across all three schools, are engaged in research with their faculty mentors. Dan Moriarty, Ph.D., professor of chemistry and biochemistry oversees Summer Scholars as the director of CURCA.
"The program gives students and mentors time to singularly focus on their projects during the summer and dedicate as much time as they can on their research," said Moriarty. "The student growth in knowledge, confidence, and skills during this time can be transformative, allowing progress to be made that just wouldn’t be possible during the school year. It sets up the students for future success, with many of them continuing their research. The work is presented by the students at the Summer Research Symposium in the fall, with many of them going on to present their research at regional, national, and international conferences."
Frisone and Truax used an Einstar Vega 3D scanner to capture facial geometry, then brought those scans into digital modeling tools such as Onshape and Meshmixer. From there, they worked through the process of trimming, repairing, modifying, and combining the scanned facial model with a designed mask body. Future work would need to include formal testing for fit, filtration, airflow, leakage, comfort, cleaning, and safety. But, this was an important and meaningful start.
"The Franciscan values are all about helping people," said Frisone. "We could help make medical professionals more comfortable, which would enable them to do their jobs better and provide their patients with the best possible care."
Another bonus for Frisone this summer - she wasn't just working with her mentor, she was side-by-side with one of her close friends as well.
"I know it's a stereotype, but I noticed a lot of the physics and engineering programs I looked at we're male dominant. Not here. I've meet a good group of girls. Having that group that I can talk to and see outside of the classrooms and labs is really nice."
It would also be uncommon to find two students who just completed their freshman year engaged in this highly technical research. But it's not so unusual at Siena. That also means the research continues. The Summer Scholars program lasted four weeks, but Frisone and Truax have three more years to see this project through.
"I wanted to get involved with this project because I have always had an interest in the medical field as well as engineering," said Truax. "This project was the perfect opportunity to combine both of these passions. It allowed me to better understand how I can use the skills I am learning in my classes to create more effective healthcare equipment. That was by far the most rewarding aspect of this research."
"I am very glad that this summer project gave two women students the opportunity to take ownership of a hands-on applied physics and engineering project," said Pashayi. "It matters when students can see themselves represented in the work. It matters when they feel that they belong in the lab, in the makerspace, and in the field. Gabriella and Addison showed what student-centered research can look like at Siena: creative, hands-on, collaborative, human-centered, and connected to real-world needs. I am very proud of both of them."