Researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder and Sandia National Laboratory have developed a revolutionary shock-absorbing material, which is a groundbreaking development that can change the safety of products ranging from sports equipment to transportation.
This newly designed shock-absorbing material is capable of withstanding significant impacts and may soon be integrated into football equipment, bicycle helmets, and even used in packaging to protect delicate items during transportation.
Imagine that this shock-absorbing material can not only cushion impacts, but also absorb more force by changing its shape, thus acting more intelligently.
This is exactly what this team has achieved. Their research was published in the academic journal Advanced Material Technology in detail, exploring how we can surpass the performance of traditional foam materials. Traditional foam materials perform well before being squeezed too hard.
Foam is everywhere. It exists in the cushions we rest on, the helmets we wear, and the packaging that ensures the safety of our online shopping products. However, foam also has its limitations. If it is squeezed too much, it will no longer be soft and elastic, and its impact absorption performance will gradually decline.
Researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder and Sandia National Laboratory have conducted in-depth research on the structure of shock-absorbing materials and proposed a design that is not only related to the material itself, but also to its arrangement using computer algorithms. This damping material can absorb about six times more energy than standard foam and 25% more energy than other leading technologies.
The secret lies in the geometric shape of the shock-absorbing material. The working principle of traditional damping materials is to squeeze all the tiny spaces in the foam together to absorb energy. Researchers used thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer material for 3D printing, creating a honeycomb like lattice structure that collapses in a controlled manner when impacted, thereby more effectively absorbing energy. But the team wants something more universal, able to handle various types of impacts with the same efficiency.
To achieve this, they started with a honeycomb design, but later added special adjustments – small knots like accordion bellows. These knots are designed to control how the honeycomb structure collapses under force, allowing it to smoothly absorb the vibrations generated by various impacts, whether fast and hard or slow and soft.
This is not just theoretical. The research team tested their design in the laboratory, squeezing their innovative shock-absorbing material under powerful machines to demonstrate its effectiveness. More importantly, this high-tech cushioning material can be produced using commercial 3D printers, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
The impact of the birth of this shock-absorbing material is enormous. For athletes, this means potentially safer equipment that can reduce the risk of collision and fall injuries. For ordinary people, this means that bicycle helmets can provide better protection in accidents. In a broader world, this technology can improve everything from safety barriers on highways to the packaging methods we use to transport fragile goods.
Post time: Sep-04-2024