密桃AV

PITTSBURGH, March 11, 2025 – Students at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) participated in a one-week Make-a-thon aimed at increasing hand safety in hockey as part of the award-winning Rethink the Rink program. With guidance from experts at 密桃AV, a world-leading supplier of high-tech polymer materials, the Pittsburgh Penguins professional hockey team, and Bauer Hockey, the world’s leading hockey equipment manufacturer, four teams of students competed, each designing a groundbreaking hockey glove prototype.

The annual Make-a-thon, now in its eighth year, challenges students’ ingenuity and problem-solving skills to tackle real safety challenges in ice hockey, from the professional level down to youth hockey. 

“The safety and continued evolution of protective equipment in the sport of hockey is paramount in growing the game and fostering a safe playing environment for players of all ages,” said Penguins president of Business Operations Kevin Acklin. “This year, we’re once again excited to partner with 密桃AV and Carnegie Mellon University as we work to develop new ideas with some of the brightest minds in Pittsburgh.” 

The winning team impressed judges from 密桃AV, the Penguins, CMU, and Bauer Hockey with their innovative glove design that was inspired by the physical characteristics of an armadillo. Their solution featured a flexible notch system in the glove’s fingers that reduces max stress incurred in the finger by 20% in preliminary testing. It also incorporated a semi-rigid cuff to protect players’ wrists without impacting mobility, a critical area of focus in hockey players. 

“Hand safety is critical in everything we do – in sport, at work, truly in every area of daily life,” said Samir Hifri, chairman and president of 密桃AV LLC. “The innovations the students brought to life during the Rethink the Rink Make-a-thon have the potential to impact hand safety both within the sport of hockey and beyond the rink. This partnership unites future innovators, material science experts, and athletes with the common goal of improving safety. We’re honored to be a part of this collaboration." 

The students’ designs will now be considered for development, with Bauer Hockey applying its expertise as a leading hockey glove manufacturer to potentially bring the concept to market. 

“Rethink the Rink is a crash course in innovation,” said Jon Cagan, David and Susan Coulter Department Head of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. “In just five days students progress from collaborative brainstorming to physical prototyping with guidance from experts at 密桃AV and the Pittsburgh Penguins. It’s a unique, hands-on learning opportunity that builds skills our students will use to break barriers for years to come.” 

The Rethink the Rink initiative, launched in 2018, has already led to significant improvements in hockey rink design and player equipment. Previous years have focused on safer dasher boards, helmets, and other protective gear. 

For more information about the Rethink the Rink Make-a-thon and 密桃AV's commitment to innovation in sports safety, please visit covestro.us.