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UMD engineering students making 'TERPsanitizer' to fight coronavirus spread

There's good stuff happening in our communities so we're highlighting good people doing great things.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Today’s shout out goes Dr. Peter Kofinas, he’s Professor and Chair of the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department at the University of Maryland.

UMD's Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department has shifted gears and trained grad students who are using polymer fiber technology to make face masks to help fight the spread of coronavirus.

Associate Professor Dongxia Liu and Assistant Professor Chen Zhang and trained graduate are also using their chemical smarts to make hand sanitizer or what they like to call, "Terpsanitizer."

“We are really happy we are able to assist in this crisis and it takes a little bit out of the boredom because you know people are at home so we can do stuff that’s helpful that’s also interesting for both me and my students and then entire chemical engineering department," Dr. Kofinas said.

Credit: Dr. Peter Kofinas
Terpsanitizer made at UMD

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Faculty and staff  have already delivered 100 bottles of the Terpsanitizer to firefighters with the Gaithersburg-Washington Grove Volunteer Fire Department. 

UMD is ramping up production looking to donate to other first responders and community members, as well as to essential UMD staff and any students remaining on campus. 

Thank you Dr. Kofinas and the entire Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department.

Go TERPS!

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