Computer Science Alum Leads Mask-Making Effort in Morris County
A team of teachers in Morris and Essex counties, looking to do their part to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic, has produced almost 500 face masks, 700 face shields and 1,400 ear guards, led by NJIT alumna Jessica Liatys of the class of 2010.
Liatys teaches technology education at Chatham Middle School. She honed her STEM chops with a bachelor's degree in information technology, following that up with a master's in network security in 2016.
She received permission from her district to take home two 3D printers and was soon joined by eight of her peers in Chatham, Livingston and Madison. They now have 30 printers in total, running during as many hours of the day and night as possible. Some of the volunteers who don't have a 3D printer make face shields by hand.
The informal team started with designs found online and then iterated several variations until they were satisfied. They've donated the homemade personal protective equipment to Morristown Medical Center, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Valley Hospital, the latter in Ridgewood. They also donated to Madison first responders, and hope to donate soon to Newark's University Hospital along with the Sunrise of Morris Plains assisted living facility.
"In doing all of this, I certainly learned a lot about what goes into the creation of personal protective equipment," Liatys said. For example, unlike consumer-grade masks, medical equipment for hospitals needs to have a better seal against the face and be constructed more sturdily, she said. Comfort is also a factor because health care professionals must wear masks all day.
"The masks are very hardy, but they're not going to last forever. On the front, there's a locking mechanism on there, and in time I could see that breaking. We send them as much as we can, with replacement parts if we can ... I try to cram as much as I can on the build plate."
She's also become a self-taught 3D printer technician, now that her technical support colleagues cannot stop by at any time.
Before sending any equipment, the team sent letters to the first batch of hospitals explaining their plans and making sure the equipment would be accepted. That went a long way toward hospital administrators taking the work seriously, Liatys noted, because sometimes good-intentioned people send items that cannot be used.
She cited computer science professor Osama Eljabiri as a key influence from her NJIT undergraduate days. Even back then, she was a supporter of volunteer work. Her senior capstone project involved teaching computer forensics to inner-city high school students.
The Chatham school district and Chatham Education Foundation provided 3D printing supplies such as filaments. "We would never say no to more donations," Liatys added. Those interested in donating may contact the Chatham Education Foundation at chathamedfoundation@gmail.com.
Click here to read about other NJIT-affiliated efforts to help with the COVID-19 pandemic, including a major effort from the university's makerspace.