Maker Mask Website

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – A pair of Santa Clara men's rowers have used their time during the COVID-19 pandemic to do some good. Sophomores from Washington Powell Clark and Ian Whiton are working with Maker Mask, which uses 3D printer technology to create respirator masks, the first of their kind to receive National Institutes of Health certification, using materials found at local hardware stores. The project has been featured in the Seattle Times.

The mask has a replaceable HEPA filter and costs between $2-3 to build from easily acquired materials with a hobbyist grade 3D machine. Instructions have been downloaded more than 35,000 times in 117 countries.

Former Microsoft executive Johnathan Roberts is the team lead and has a small assembly line set up in a Seattle church. Rory Larson, creator and chief engineer, works with a team of mostly college volunteers to produce around 100 masks each day using about two dozen printers.

With much more free time than he was used to due to the cancelation of the rowing season, Clark knew he needed something to keep him busy and decided to divert the energy usually spent on rowing to Maker Mask to help his community.

Clark has been family friends with Roberts since elementary school and thought the project was a good fit. With just eight people involved early on, he reached out to friends and Whiton showed interest.

With several family members in the healthcare business, Clark saw firsthand the issues facing the industry.

"My dad is the head of supply chain for Virginia Mason and I saw how stressful things were for him," Clark said. "Seeing his creative solutions to some of the problems he was facing really motivated me."

The two Broncos work in many different areas. Sometimes they are working on printer maintenance. Sometimes they spend their time creating documents to use for assembly manuals or orientation guides for onboarding new employees. They also look for more locations for creation. And, of course, some of their time is spent assembling masks.

"Ian and Powell are doing a great job giving back to their community in a time of need," Santa Clara head coach Jay Farwell said. "Honestly, I am not surprised by their efforts as these two guys epitomize the selfless nature of so many student-athletes at Santa Clara. I couldn't be prouder of them and they are representing our team, the athletics department, and the University in the finest light."

Those who want to learn more or get involved with MakerMask.com can check them out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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