Fashioning Protection

Shu Hwa Lin (Fashion Design and Merchandising) has been working on a multi-state research project (2012–2017) on “Personal Protective Technologies for Current and Emerging Occupational and Environmental Hazards,” as part of a larger collaboration to improve protective gear used by those in hazardous occupations, such as police officers, military personnel, pesticide handlers, and healthcare professionals. Over the last five years, group members developed reliable ways to use body scanning and motion-capture technology to evaluate gear issues for these professionals, and were able to extend their results to help those who are disabled or otherwise mobility impaired. The group’s work led to new international standards and guidelines for safety, comfort, and performance. Lin’s projects featured in the impact statement include making a gown for stroke patients that is easy to get on and off and collaborating with Buffalo State College to develop a hood to better protect firefighters’ necks. See the article on the Multistate Research Fund website.