Researchers on the College of Gothenburg and the College of Isfahan have developed a brand new design for bicycle helmets utilizing auxetic metastructures. The design includes a shock-absorbing materials that improves affect absorption throughout crashes in comparison with conventional foam liners. This new strategy was detailed within the Worldwide Journal of Solids and Buildings and addresses longstanding challenges in helmet design associated to affect resistance and luxury.
“When uncovered to vitality from an affect, the liner materials contracts, which considerably improves the absorption of affect vitality. This interprets to decrease dangers of accidents sustained by cyclists throughout accidents,” explains Affiliate Professor Mohsen Mirkhalaf, who participated within the examine. The helmet’s protecting layer is created from a hyperelastic polymer that may endure substantial deformation whereas returning to its unique form.
The analysis staff utilized 3D printing know-how to fabricate the helmet’s parts. This manufacturing technique permits for personalization to suit particular person head shapes, doubtlessly benefiting skilled athletes and cyclists who wrestle to search out comfy helmets. Testing confirmed that the brand new design carried out higher in varied affect situations in comparison with standard helmet designs.
Auxetic supplies, which develop laterally when stretched and contract when absorbing vitality, have been identified for about 4 a long time. Nevertheless, Mirkhalaf notes that current advances in fabrication processes, notably additive manufacturing, have enabled the sensible implementation of those supplies in helmet design. The geometry of the helmet’s inner construction has been particularly optimized to attenuate forces throughout collisions.
The collaboration between the Swedish and Iranian universities demonstrates the worth of worldwide analysis partnerships in security innovation. Whereas 3D-printed custom-made helmets presently price greater than mass-produced alternate options, business developments counsel these prices will lower because the know-how turns into extra widespread. The analysis factors to potential purposes past biking, together with different sports activities gear and automotive security gear.
The examine titled “Design, optimization and additive manufacturing of an modern bike helmet utilizing auxetic metastructures” was printed on January 21, 2025.
Supply: scienmag.com
