Materiality

My approach to this project so far is to design a glove that will aid in the prevention of cutaneous anthrax in South American farm workers. When I began thinking about possible materials, I knew I wanted my product to be flexible, cut-proof, and provide a grip so as to not inable the worker in any way. I am playing around with the idea of incorporating three materials into my design: a metal mesh to prevent cuts, a flexible gripped rubber, and an anti-bacterial "skin-like" fabric to line it all with. I have began to diagram various parts of the hand (most common areas for cuts, places that need to provide a grip, etc) and am now beginning to decide where to place the materials on the hand and their relationship as a whole.

Progress

After many epic fails, I have FINALLY completed a chipboard site model at 3/4 scale.

Right now, I am working to diagram the most vulnerable parts of the hand so as to make a decision about the location of certain materials on the site.

I am currently looking at combining three materials:

An anti-bacterial fabric
A flexible plastic with grips
A metal weave or mesh of sorts

Rhino hand rendering

I have finished importing my topographic pieces into CAD, and I am in the process of numbering those so that I can begin building my site model.

Disaster Agent Research

After carefully considering all possible disaster agents, I have selected to focus my project on anthrax, more specifically cutaneous anthrax. While cutaneous anthrax is not the most deadly form, it is the most common. This spore-producing bacteria, much like the seed of a plant, remains in a state of rest until it can germinate. Entering the body through a small cut or scrape, the most common sites for this infection begin on the hands, wrist, neck, or face. Over half of the 2001 bioterrorist attacks were in the form of cutaneous anthrax.

In a more historical sense, cases of anthrax are rather common in cattle, sheep, horses, and goats, often effecting veterinarians, farm workers, and wool workers. Although this disease is very rare in the United States, it is quite common in South America.

I have began to develop a rough narrative trying to develop a situation which is very likely to occur. My device, sited on the hand, will aim to aid a farm worker working in South America from the dangers of cutaneous anthrax. Since the only treatment is antibiotics, I have yet to decide if my device will distribute medicine or simply act as a protective device such as a glove.For now, I am working on taking accurate hand and wrist measurements to begin building a site model in Rhino. Hopefully, it will work, if not- there's always plaster :)