McMaster University awarded $1.2M towards advancing PPE amid COVID-19
- Michael Kras
- 28 Jan 2021
McMaster University’s Centre of Excellence has just been awarded a grant of $1.2 million towards its research and development of personal protective equipment (PPE) amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
McMaster’s Centre of Excellence is Canada’s first and only research hub fully dedicated to the development and testing of PPE, and the $1.2 million grant – awarded by the Ontario Together Fund – will support the Centre’s efforts in advancing Canadian-made PPE for healthcare workers, essential workers, and the general public.
McMaster's CEPEM, Canada's only research hub dedicated to developing, testing and validating next-generation #PPE, has received a $1.2M #OntarioTogether grant. Thanks, @VictorFedeli @RossRomanoSSM @fordnation @SkellyHamilton | @McMasterEng https://t.co/gkGFIauXN3
— McMaster University (@McMasterU) January 26, 2021
Funding in the amount of $1.1 million has also been allocated to the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health towards their PPE testing facility.
“As we continue our fight against COVID-19, we know that our focus needs to be broader than just meeting the current needs and demand for PPE,” said Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade.
“That’s why we are proud to support the research and development at McMaster and U of T, which will advance made-in-Ontario supply chains of PPE and help our manufacturers bring their products to market quickly and safely. The innovation and advanced technology at these institutions will help create the next generation of PPE and make Ontario a world leader.”
The funding will allow McMaster to create innovative infrastructure that will accelerate the research and development for Canadian companies who may be looking to manufacture PPE locally.
Researchers at McMaster are currently working with companies to innovate new PPE, including enhanced cloth masks, PPE made with recyclable materials, mask and face shield hybrids, and air purification equipment for buildings. Tests are also being conducted to examine how aerosol particles interact with various forms of PPE.
“These are extraordinary times and McMaster is extremely fortunate to have innovative and dedicated faculty, staff and students who are rising to meet the enormous challenges posed by COVID-19,” says Ishwar K. Puri, McMaster’s Dean of Engineering.
Read more on the McMaster website.
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