Source: SOUTHERN UNIV submitted to
NC170: PERSONAL PROTECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR CURRENT AND EMERGING OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0231358
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
LAX-GRACE2
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2012
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2017
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Namwamba, GR.
Recipient Organization
SOUTHERN UNIV
(N/A)
BATON ROUGE,LA 70813
Performing Department
Clothing/Textiles/Related Arts
Non Technical Summary
Researchers at Southern University will work in collaboration with other researchers to improve and develop Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for firefighters, first responders, military personnel, and agricultural workers. Digital technologies will be used to develop PPE and to assess its effectiveness. 3D Body scanning technologies and related digital technologies will be used to improve and develop fit and functionality of PPE.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
80451102020100%
Goals / Objectives
The overall goal of this project is to conduct research for improving and developing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for firefighters, first responders, military personnel, agricultural workers, and medical environments. The specific objective to be addressed at Southern University is #2: Assess and improve protection and human factor performance of PPE and protective clothing (including hand, foot, and headwear) through research and product development: A. assessment of Human Factors (HF) variables in protective clothing. B. design research and development in domain areas of fire protection, chemical protection, and medical environments.
Project Methods
Southern University (SU) will collaborate with other researchers in the design, development and testing of PPE materials and technologies. Through this approach, we will identify areas of opportunity for research and development in PPE for firefighters, first responders, military personnel, and agricultural workers through analysis of current equipment and use and through foundation research in anthropometrics of under-investigated body areas. We will address these identified areas of opportunity to assess and improve protection and human factor performance of PPE and protective clothing through research and product development. We will communicate and standardize these findings through the development of research-based performance guidelines for protective equipment.

Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience includes (but not limited to), emergency first responders, research scientists in the health, safety, textile, etc. areas, students, businesses and the general public. Changes/Problems:The project director was appointed to serve in a non-research role whereby she could not continue with the research project. Shortly after, she secured another job in Maryland and retired to take the position. The project has since expired. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The Scientist attended the 1890 ARD Biennial Symposium in Jacksonville, Florida and presented a paper titled "Assessing the Fit of Garments Using 3D Virtual Draping". At the conference, the project director shared and acquired more information and techniques very useful to advancing the project. About 10 students who enrolled in Apparel Merchandising and Textiles classes gained skills in laboratory procedures for virtual 3D prototyping. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The Scientist attended the 1890 ARD Biennial Conference in Jacksonville, Florida and presented a paper titled "Assessing the Fit of Garments Using 3D Virtual Draping". Project information was shared with the 1890 community and other participants. Through state quarterly reports, project information was also shared with state stakeholders. Students, faculty and staff at Southern University along with first responders in the state have been briefed on the progress of this project. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The project expired.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? As first responders, health professionals, military personnel, and industrial workers perform their job tasks in hazardous environments, the systems they wear for protection offer both functional benefits and challenges. Personal protective equipment makes serving in hazardous environments possible, yet can interfere with the ability of the worker to perform tasks. Research and development of materials and product designs for PPE generally are critical to our nation's welfare, security, and ability to compete in a global economy. Providing effective PPE for firefighters, first responders, pesticide handlers and professionals such as doctors and medical technicians are necessary both to protect citizens in these roles and to increase their effectiveness. We completed laboratory procedures for virtual 3D prototyping. The manual details new procedures that were developed for integrating various software packages and hardware to complete the process of virtual 3D prototyping. Initial studies on 3D virtual prototyping were also completed. The project director was appointed to serve in a non-research role whereby she could not continue with the research project. Shortly after, she secured another job in Maryland and retired to take the position.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2013 Citation: Namwamba, Grace "Assessing the Fit of Garments Using 3D Virtual Draping". Paper presented at the 17th Biennial Research Symposium of the Association of 1890 Research Directors, Inc. Jacksonville, Florida, April 7-10, 2013. (Program Abstract page 144)


Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience include (but not limited to), emergency first responders, research scientists in the health, safety, textile, etc areas, students, businesses and the general public. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The Scientist attended the 1890 ARD Biennial Symposium in Jacksonville, Florida and presented a paper titled "Assessing the Fit of Garments Using 3D Virtual Draping". At this conference, the project director shared and acquired more information and techniques very useful to advancing the project. About 10 students who enrolled in Apparel Merchandizing and Textiles classes gained skills in laboratory procedures for virtual 3D prototyping. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Scientist attended the 1890 ARD Biennial Conference in Jacksonville, Florida and presented a paper titled "Assessing the Fit of Garments Using 3D Virtual Draping". Project information was shared with the 1890 community and other participants. Through state quarterly reports, project information was also shared with state stakeholders. Students, faculty and staffat Southern University along with first responders in the state have been briefed on the progress of this project. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The following are planned for the next reporting period: Complete the planning process. Conduct research procedures: The tasks will include: Library research and development of manuscripts. Development of strategies for further research methods. Complete manuscript for publication. Make two professional presentations.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Situation: As first responders, health professionals, military personnel, and industrial workers perform their job tasks in hazardous environments, the systems they wear for protection offer both functional benefits and challenges. Personal protective equipment makes serving in hazardous environments possible, yet can interfere with the ability of the worker to perform tasks. Research and development of materials and product designs for PPE generally are critical to our nation's welfare, security, and ability to compete in a global economy. Providing effective PPE for firefighters, first responders, pesticide handlers and professionals such as doctors and medical technicians are necessary both to protect citizens in these roles and to increase their effectiveness. Shortcomings of one category of protective clothing can be seen in firefighting: of the 1.15million firefighters that protected the US in 2009, 78,150 were injured on the job. Research/Accomplishments: Planning processes for the project were completed. A thorough review of literature was also completed. Lab procedures for virtual 3D prototyping were completed. The manual details new procedures that were developed for integrating various software packages and hardware to complete the process of virtual 3D prototyping. Initial studies on 3D virtual prototyping were completed.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Namwamba, Grace "Assessing the Fit of Garments Using 3D Virtual Draping". Paper presented at the 17th Biennial Research Symposium of the Association of 1890 Research Directors, Inc. Jacksonville, FL, April 7-10, 2013. (Program Abstract page 144)


Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience include (but not limited to), emergency first responders, research scientists in the health, safety, textile, etc areas, students, businesses and the general public. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? None during this initial year of implementation. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The PD shared information about the proposed project with faculty, staff, students and other stakeholders of Southern University Ag Center. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Complete the planning process. Conduct research procedures: The tasks will include: Library research and development of manuscripts. Development of strategies for further research methods. Update of 3D Virtual Prototyping procedures manuals for new software updates and hardware. Data collection and analysis: Pilot testing a survey and conducting initial design studies for protective clothing using virtual 3D prototyping. Dissemination of Information Activities: Complete manuscript for publication. This manuscript will disseminate preliminary findings of the study. Make two professional presentations.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Most planning activities for the project were initiated. However, due to delays in delivering materials and supplies needed, the actual study did not start fully as anticipated. Also, during this initial year of the project (2012 - 2-13), the PD was appointed as Interim Dean of the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences for a year. As a result of this, some planning aspects of the project had to be delayed until she returned to her normal research appointment in August 2013.

Publications