Specialty Fabrics Review July 2020 - 30

When the end user is not the
purchaser, which is often the case,
it can create situations where
stakeholder considerations, such
as schedule, cost and other nonuser based requirements, can be
prioritized over end-user
needs and preferences.
MARC MATHEWS
TEXTILE PROTECTION AND COMFORT CENTER,
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

REVIEW: How do you employ an engineeringbased approach for complex systems to
the PPE design process?
MATHEWS: A systems viewpoint helps capture the
key components that help optimize the performance of
protective clothing, and this starts with an awareness of
how each part and subsystem may impact the system as
a whole. This includes considerations of the user, user
environment and life cycle of the system. It is important to
define these components as early as possible because they
often underpin the thinking and decision-making during
the whole process.
First, designers need to define needs and requirements
of the target PPE. They need to translate user needs,
stakeholder needs and constraints into system requirements,
design requirements and ultimately identify measurable
performance attributes. Establishing a comprehensive list
of requirements and identifying priorities for each allows
designers to create a framework to help identify where

COVID-19 AND
THE FUTURE OF PPE

T

extile end product manufacturers of all kinds have shifted
their product lines and priorities to meet the demand for
masks and other PPE in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
True North Gear LLC, an industrial and safety gear manufacturer
based in Seattle, Wash., is among those companies that paused
portions of production to make non-medical-grade masks for first
responders. True North's masks are made of a single layer of fireresistant knit and are designed to reduce the chance of transmission
of COVID-19 through breathing and coughing. "Our customers are
all first responders, and a lot of them work on team-based jobs,
so they definitely need the protection," says Emelia Black, product
designer for True North. "One of the considerations for the design
of the mask was to make sure there wasn't excessive fabric. It's
important for first responders to reduce bulk for all their clothing."
Marc Mathews, research associate with the Textile Protection
and Comfort Center (TPACC) at North Carolina State University
in Raleigh, expects to see an increase in companies making PPE
products developed for the general public rather than a specific PPE
end user. "This could introduce some interesting requirements into
PPE products that could be challenging for the industry," he says.

ABOVE: In response to the COVID-19
crisis, True North Gear LLC developed
the fire-resistant face mask using a
single layer of knit.
RIGHT: The gray Pro Dry™ Shape
Shifter™ Neck Tube has always been
in True North Gear LLC's product line,
and has mainly been used to protect
against the sun and slightly chilly temps.
The company updated the neck tube
using its new UPF 50+ knit fabric and
has recently shifted much of its T-shirt
production to make them. Photos: Steve
Rydgren, Imaginessence Photography.

30 REVIEW JULY 2020

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6/19/20 11:15 PM
Specialty Fabrics Review July 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Specialty Fabrics Review July 2020
