During year five, new collaborations were established with Athletica Sports Systems and coatings manufacturer, PPG. Additionally, significant advancements were made in hockey safety. Students faced the challenge of enhancing the flexibility and strength of the materials used in dasher board systems that encircle hockey rinks, with a focus on the glass and the interfaces between the glass and the dasher boards. The teams drew inspiration from real-world applications and developed practical solutions to protect players from injuries.
"These students were thinking about the materials I work with every day," said Mark Bondi, EP Application Development and Make-Thon Coach/Judge at Covestro. "Seeing them be so inventive with our products is something I can take back to my work."
