CDC recommends fitters like Badger Seal, giving it boost
In early fall 2020, College of Engineering student employees assembled Badger Seal mask fitters outside the Grainger Engineering Design Innovation Laboratory in Wendt Commons. Renee Meiller, UW–Madison College of Engineering
From February through June, we will highlight the ways that UW–Madison powers the state’s economy through research and innovation, educates the next generation and reaches out to Wisconsinites to improve their lives. March’s theme is Health. Watch for more at #CantStopABadger and #UWimpact on social media. Your support can help us continue this work.
The CDC has officially recommended wearing mask fitters as one way to improve how your mask protects you, including the Badger Seal created by a team of UW–Madison engineers in September.
Contactless thermometer helps monitor student health
Using the contactless thermometer, like this one installed at a UW–Madison residence hall, requires just one person paying attention to the proximity sensor to position their forehead. Credit: University Housing
When Lennon Rodgers visited the dentist in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, he had a moment of inspiration. The receptionist awkwardly reached around the plexiglass barrier to take his temperature, which seemed to negate some of the safety precautions.
An automated, contactless thermometer, he thought, would be a much better solution.
“I knew there had to be a way to develop a low-cost solution to take forehead temperatures hands-free,” says Rodgers, who already has played a role in several COVID-19 protective equipment innovations. “I looked online and found some existing products, but they were all pretty expensive and/or looked poor-quality.”