Paper Science and Engineering Students Tackle Need for Humanitarian Shelters

Raleigh, NC –  In light of the recent disaster in Haiti, the need for temporary shelters that can be provided with humanitarian relief has been highlighted.  Seniors in the Paper Science and Engineering Program at North Carolina State University have elected to tackle this critical issue facing the world.

As part of their senior design course, students have been tasked with the challenge of designing a lightweight humanitarian shelter that can be deployed throughout the world on a moment’s notice. The design criteria for the shelter include the ability: (1) to provide housing for three months for a family of four, (2) to be transported by one person on foot, (3) to protect occupants from mosquitoes, and (4) to be at least 80 % compostable with no toxic materials.

Patrick Buenaventura, a senior in Paper Science and Engineering, explains why he chose this project, "In terms of the disasters that have been happening, it was a great way to apply our knowledge to help people." Pat’s hometown is Crescent City, Florida. Being from Florida, Pat knows the strain a disaster such as a hurricane or earthquake can place on a community. He goes on to add, "Hopefully, one of our projects will become the innovation that is needed to help disaster victims."

Four design groups have been working in Dr. Pawlak’s Paper Physics and Product Design class to come up with novel solutions to this problem.  Peter Jin, a senior in Paper Science in Engineering, comments that, "Meeting all the design criteria has been a challenge." The students have used various forms of paper, wood, and paper composites to generate structures that meet the strict criteria. The designs range from familiar house-type structures to geodesic domes.

Students will be testing their structural materials and presenting their final design prototypes at the Hodges Lab at NC State during the week of April 26, 2010.