#Pittsburgh #Carnegie Mellon #Covestro #Hockey Safety

Innovative Hockey Glove Designs from Carnegie Mellon University

In a pioneering effort to enhance player safety in the sport of hockey, students from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) have unveiled groundbreaking designs for hockey gloves as part of the annual Rethink the Rink program. This year's Make-a-thon, which took place over one week, challenged participants to address pressing safety issues within the sport by developing innovative prototypes. With expert guidance from Covestro, a leading supplier of advanced polymer materials, and the Pittsburgh Penguins, the students displayed remarkable ingenuity and technical skills.

The Make-a-thon serves not only as a competition but also as a unique learning opportunity where students gain practical experience in material science and design. Four teams, each comprising passionate students, aimed to create innovative gloves that would significantly improve hand safety during the game. The event, now in its eighth year, emphasizes real-world problem-solving by allowing students to work closely with professionals from various industries.

The winning team, popularly known as the green team, took inspiration from the physical attributes of an armadillo, a creature known for its protective shell. Their prototype featured a flexible notch system in the glove's fingers, which according to preliminary tests, reduced maximum stress experienced in digits by an impressive 20%. This innovative design allows for better movement without compromising on safety. Additionally, the team incorporated a semi-rigid cuff that protects players’ wrists while maintaining the necessary flexibility crucial for hockey.

Kevin Acklin, the president of Business Operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins, emphasized the importance of safety in hockey. He stated, "The safety and continued evolution of protective equipment in the sport of hockey is paramount in growing the game and fostering a safe playing environment for players of all ages." This sentiment reflects not only the spirit of competition but a collective commitment to minimizing injuries and enhancing player safety throughout all levels of play.

Samir Hifri, chairman and president of Covestro LLC, reiterated the significance of the students’ innovations, stating that their designs have the potential to impact not just hockey but general hand safety across various contexts.