photo credit: Phil Long, AP for NFL

photo credit: Phil Long, AP for NFL

Chris Yakacki, associate professor of mechanical engineering, spoke at an NFL Symposium in Youngstown, Ohio last week, kicking off the NFL Helmet Challenge.

Attendees included members from start ups, additive manufacturing companies, design and software companies, academics, former NFL players, the military, and more. The symposium served as the official launch of the challenge, $3 million innovation challenge that aims to stimulate the development of a new player helmet designed to outperform all helmet models currently worn by NFL players.

Yakacki’s startup company Impressio, Inc. and the college intend to compete with a focus on the materials inside the helmet. The challenge culminates in the summer of 2021 with awards of up to $1 million.

Related: Yakacki’s tech startup wins big at NFL 1st and Future competition