COVID-19 is a biological challenge, but as with so many things, materials science and engineering can play a significant role in defeating it. The TMS COVID-19 Materials Needs Exchange strives to connect organizations and programs on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic with TMS members who can render materials or manufacturing assistance, resources, and/or expertise.
State Your Need or Resources You Can Offer
To post a materials or manufacturing need or to list you and/or your organization as a resource that can provide materials assistance or expertise, please access the form below:
Submit Information
Your information will be reviewed, and if accepted, will be posted on this website within two business days. Please note that only TMS members will be permitted to post their expertise as individuals.
Current Exchange Postings
What follows is our most current listing of materials needs and available resources. If you are offering resources, please feel free to contact the organizations directly that you believe are a good match for what you can provide. If you are an organization in need, please contact the resources directly that you believe can address your challenges. The Exchange will be updated as we receive new information, so please check back regularly.
Organizations/Individuals Offering Resources and Expertise
Select a button to view the resources available within that category.
Manufacturing Resources
Brunel University London
Contact: Shouxun Ji, Reader
We have the capability to die cast small pistons for ventilators, especially for the application of lightweight magnesium alloys or aluminum alloys for small pistons.
Fighting COVID-19 with 3D Printing
America Makes, in conjunction with the Food & Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, and Veteran’s Administration, is connecting the needs of health care providers with manufacturers capable of 3D printing much needed supplies. For a listing of approved designs, visit the NIH 3D Print Exchange.
Helpful Engineering
This non-profit organization was created to provide an open source platform for volunteer engineers, scientists and medical personnel from around the world to design, source, and execute projects that will enable rapid production of pragmatic, life-saving devices or extend existing tools. Volunteers offering resources and expertise are listed in their Manufacturing Volunteer Database.
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Contact: Chenglin Wu, Assistant Professor
We have the capability of 3D printing masks with graphene/MXene composite filers for high efficiency filtration and bacteria suppression.
United States Naval Academy
Contact: Brad Baker, Associate Professor
We have approximately 25 different polymer-based 3D printers and design capability using SolidWorks. We also have a machine shop with limited manning that may be utilized in the right circumstances. However, as a governmental organization, we may be limited in ways that we can assist some organizations.
Materials Supply
SINTX Technologies
Contact: Donald Bray, Vice President Business Development
SINTX Technologies has developed a unique antipathogenic nano-particle ceramic material, silicon nitride (Si3N4), that has demonstrated rapid single-strain RNA virus inactivation. It was recently tested against three viruses: Influenza A (A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 H1N1), Feline Calicivirus and Enterococcus 71 (EV-A71). Up to ~90% viral inactivation occurred within one minute of exposure to Si3N4 and complete inactivation in less than 5 minutes using an ASTM standard protocol. We believe the rapidity of the viricidal action for these previously known viruses will prove to also be true against the SARS-COV-2 virus. If so, Si3N4 nanoparticles may be useful as a composite or coating for common surfaces encountered, including masks and PPE by military and civilian personnel.
Materials Testing and Evaluation
Accident Reconstruction Analysis, PLLC
Contact: Daniel Brinkley, Principal Engineer
A comprehensive material testing lab is available that includes an environmental SEM (capable of operating at low vacuum for non-conductive materials). Other capabilities include real time x-ray, x-ray diffraction capabilities, sample preparation equipment. Additional resources are listed on the website.
Altair Product Design
Contact: Varun Ramasagara Nagarajan, Materials Engineer
I can offer materials support for masks and other PPE to include expertise in testing and evaluation utilizing a variety of techniques based on visual, microscopy, spectroscopy, product evaluation, quality and support. Additionally, I am able to train technicians on how to use the equipment.
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Contact: Mogadalai Gururajan
We have expertise in modelling microstructural evolution using phase field and atomistic models. If any modelling is needed, our group can set up the models and run the simulations.
Lund University
Contact: Dmytro Orlov
We can provide sample sectioning and preparation of specimens for optical and electron microscopy (both SEM and TEM); mechanical testing including tension, compression, torsion and 3- and 4- point bending, both static and fatigue (cyclic); surface characterization using 3D optical microscopy and SEM microscopy with EBSD+EDS analysis and thermal analysis, i.e. phase transformations, thermal expansion/contraction.
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Contact: Yang Wang, Assistant Professor
We can assist in the evaluation of advanced materials that may have the potential to be applied in the manufacturing of face masks. We will provide the size-dependent filtration efficiency, overall filtration efficiency, and flow resistance of the test material. Based on the experimental results, we can also provide advice on the further design of the filter materials.
Standards, Guidelines, Open Source Designs
ASTM International
ASTM International is providing no-cost public access to important ASTM standards used in the production and testing of personal protective equipment - including face masks, medical gowns, gloves, and hand sanitizers - to support manufacturers, test labs, health care professionals, and the general public as they respond to the global COVID-19 public health emergency.
Fighting COVID-19 with 3D Printing
America Makes, in conjunction with the Food & Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, and Veteran’s Administration, is connecting the needs of health care providers with manufacturers capable of 3D printing much needed supplies. For a listing of approved designs, visit the NIH 3D Print Exchange.
BCN3D
Based in Barcelona, Spain, this 3D printer manufacturer is providing the STL and instructions for 3D printing functionally validated protective face shields to registered volunteers. Once volunteers have printed 30 units, they are returned to BCN3D for a quality check and distribution to hospitals and health centers in need. Visit this website to register as a volunteer or, if you are a health care provider, to request face shields.
Center for Process Safety (CCPS) Monographs
Risk Based Process Safety During COVID-19 and Similar Disruptive Times incorporates insights from CCPS member companies on how to adapt and lead process safety during the pandemic. Bow Tie for Understanding COVID-19 and Assessment of and Planning for Natural Hazards are two additional resources offered to provide guidance on managing occupational health and safety issues as companies continue their important work amid the COVID-19 crisis. These monographs are available as free downloads to the public.
Business Resources
MITRE Corporation
Up-to-date information regarding federal authorities, contractual vehicles, and initiatives available to support the COVID-19 response.
National Venture Capital Association
Provides current information and resources to venture-backed companies and start ups regarding the U.S. federal response to COVID-19, including tax credits, loan opportunities, and sick leave.
Organizations Seeking Materials/Manufacturing Resources and Expertise
COVID-19 Joint Acquisition Task Force
The Department of Defense has established the Joint Acquisition Task Force (JATF) for COVID-19 to assess and respond to the pandemic’s many challenges. They are currently seeking information on available resources and potential solutions from industry, academia, and individual contributors, as well as government personnel. You can submit your information to the JATF at this website.
Pennsylvania Manufacturing Call to Action Portal
The Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development has issued a call to manufacturers, distributors, and other suppliers to provide information regarding their critical supply chain capabilities and opportunities for the purposes of mobilizing production of medical supplies and products in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
100 Million Masks Challenge
Coordinated by the American Hospital Association, this initiative seeks to increase production and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) by facilitating partnerships with health care providers, manufacturers, and individuals.
Examples and Inspiration
TMS is highlighting examples of materials companies, organizations and professionals who are contributing to the COVID-19 fight on our social media. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook to learn more. For a truly inspiring story, listen to NPR’s “The Parable of the Piston”.
Additional Information Resources on COVID-19
Questions?
Please contact members@tms.org with any questions that you might have about the TMS COVID-19 Materials Needs Exchange or TMS’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.