The MIX

It has been busy year at the Mason Innovation Exchange (MIX). Since the George Mason University makerspace opened in its new space in Horizon Hall in September 2021, it has seen a lot of traffic—more than 9,000 visitors in spring 2022—and has some successes to report.

Drone Prototyping Workshop

Some Northern Virginia families will have free laptops in time for classes this fall, thanks to an enterprising group of George Mason University information technology students.

Since Michael Riggi was about six years old, his father and brother would take him to a “Cars and Coffee” show in Great Falls, Virginia, on weekends. Being around classic automobiles and luxury vehicles, Riggi said he developed an appreciation for cars, and other machines that go fast, including planes, boats, and rockets.

Now, as a junior at George Mason University, his career path has also been racing forward.

Most people with access to a 3D printer find themselves creating small objects or gadgets. But one student group working at the MIX at George Mason University each Friday is driven by a different dream.

“We build, design, test and plan to compete in solar-powered car competitions,” said Michael Riggi, president of Mason’s solar car team, HyperNova Solar. “[We believe] our car, when complete, will be the world’s first and only 3D-printed solar car.”

The Honors College Connects Hackathon gathered students in George Mason University’s MIX at Horizon to solve problems faced by local nonprofits.

The new MIX space is open in the brand-new state-of-the-art Horizon Hall.  MIX stands for “Mason Innovation Exchange” and is a place for creators, makers, innovators and entrepreneurs.

When Denys Kuratchenko began working at Northern Virginia Community College’s 3D printing lab in 2017, he didn’t anticipate that his projects would change lives. But the expression on a young girl’s face made him realize he could.

In response to COVID-19, a group of George Mason University students had planned to create 3D printed personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face shields and masks for health care professionals and their patients. When the announcement came on March 22 that Mason campuses were closing, they knew they had to move fast.