Protective material is lighter: Research & Innovation

A team of Johns Hopkins University researchers created shock-absorbing material that protects like a metal but is lighter, stronger and reusable. The new foam-like material could be a game-changer for helmets, body armor and automobile and aerospace parts.

“We are excited about our findings on the extreme energy absorption capability of the new material,” said senior author Sung Hoon Kang, assistant professor of mechanical engineering. “The material offers more protection from a wide range of impacts, but being lighter could reduce fuel consumption and the environmental impact of vehicles while being more comfortable for protective gear wearers.”

Kang, who is also a fellow at the Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute, wanted to create a material even more energy-absorbing than current car bumpers and helmet padding. He noticed that typical materials used for these critical protective devices don’t perform well at higher speeds and often aren’t reusable.

Researchers created shock-absorbing material that protects like a metal but is lighter, stronger and reusable. The material could be a game-changer for automobile and aerospace parts.

The research team increased the ability of the material to withstand impact by using high-energy-absorbing liquid crystal elastomers, which have been used mainly in actuators and robotics.