COVID-19 Maker Challenge: Environmental Management Services

This is the second in a series of five programs that enlist the talents of engineers, designers and other professionals to create innovative solutions to the challenges confronting essential workers in their efforts to fight COVID-19.

The Challenges

Environmental Management Service workers (Custodial/Housekeeping Staff) will submit the challenges they confront as they respond to COVID-19. Our panel of experts will select from these the challenges that will become the focus of our Maker Teams in the weeks to come. 

The Challenges

Challenges facing this essential workforce flowed in from a multitude of industries, including hotels, public transportation, and healthcare. Most focus on the need for improved decontamination systems but others speak directly the need for solutions to protect employee health. 

Team Sanitation Station

For hotels and other facilities, there is concern about staff, guests and their belongings carrying contaminants as they enter a facility. Some sort of sanitation station for the front and back of house to clean shoes, luggage, etc. could prevent contamination and transmission. 

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Team Traffic Report

Cleaning tasks have become more extensive and time-consuming for staff in hospitals, hotels, etc, yet these facilities find themselves more short-staffed than ever. One way to improve efficiency would be to have access to real-time information on which spaces are experiencing high traffic and are in greatest need of sanitation. 

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Team Touchless

As the most frequently touched surfaces, door knobs, elevator buttons, and light switches can be hotspots for contaminants. A cost-effective solution to avoid touching these objects directly would have a huge impact. 

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Team Virus Detection

Hotels, hospitals, and other facilities are in need of a system to prove to customers and patients that their spaces are clean and safe. The ability to identify contaminated surfaces and objects would be of tremendous value.

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The Solutions

Tessellation Sanitation Station

Rebranded as Team HermTac, this solution earned top marks as the winner of the iEx Design Award. This innovative solution uses concentrated UVC lighting to create a Tessellation Sanitation Station, capable of sanitizing luggage and other objects in just seconds. 

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Traffic Monitoring and Mobile Reporting

Rebranded as Team Rona Busters, the team developed a traffic monitoring system complete with a mobile dashboard allowing real-time traffic reports as well as cleaning reports by zone. 

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Sanitized Door Opener

Rebranded as Team Can't Touch This, this solution features a retractable door opening and touchpoint device that includes a sanitization process each time it retracts. 

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Raman Light Inspection System

Team Virus Detection developed a Raman Light Inspection System to quickly detect COVID-19 on surfaces. This portable system accurately distinguishes viruses instantaneously.

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The Judges

We are grateful for the time volunteered by this esteemed group of subject matter experts. The feedback they offer our teams will undoubtedly inspire design revisions that further improve the strength of each solution. 

Michael Kottman

Michael Kottman is an Additive Manufacturing R&D Engineer for the ASTM International Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence.  Michael received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Materials Science and Engineering at Case Western Reserve University. 

Allison 
Amrhein, MPH

Allison is the Director of Operations for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Innovators Network (iNET),  Allison received her Master of Public Health from the University of Kentucky and Health Administration degree from Indiana University.

Keith Weaver

Keith owns and operates a commercial janitorial company in Phoenix. He has a background in finance, marketing, and engineering. HIs work experience includes 22 years with Ingersoll-Rand, where he supervised 2,000 employees in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. 

Ben Guerrero

Ben is a Program Manager at the Department of Veteran Affairs with over 10 years in Environmental Management Services, include 9 years as Chief of EMS at a 1B level facility. Ben is a graduate of Chaminade University of Honolulu.