A group of engineering students, faculty and alumni from the Lyles College of Engineering have worked up to 10 hours a day in recent weeks to design and produce personal protective equipment (PPE) for Valley health care workers. They plan to donate about 1,000 face shields to Community Regional Medical Center in downtown Fresno as well as other facilities.

Last week during Fresno State’s spring break, the team completed the final design and began production of the face shields — the first part of a three-phase, innovative project to support the community at a time when protective equipment is scarce for doctors, nurses and other health care providers.

“The second phase includes rapid prototyping and testing of an FDA-approved mask and the third phase includes powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs),” said Dr. Ram Nunna, dean of the Lyles College. “If time, complexity and resources allow, they will begin work on mechanical ventilator prototypes.”

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