Tech Explorist By Dr. Prajakta Banik July 15, 2023
Liquid nanofoam cushions to protect athletes, drivers, and patients.A UVA engineer has made a groundbreaking innovation in safety cushioning with the development of a liquid-based technology. This liquid safety cushioning technology can potentially revolutionize safety measures across various industries. By harnessing the unique properties of a specially formulated liquid substance, the engineer has created a solution that enhances protection while maintaining usability and comfort.
The technology has shown promising results in reducing the risk of injuries by effectively absorbing and dispersing impact energy. With its versatility and customizable nature, this innovation has vast applications in transportation, sports, and industrial environments, paving the way for a safer future.
Football players facing the risk of permanent brain damage due to head hits have led to a race for improved head protection. Nanofoam, the material found inside football helmets, has received a significant upgrade thanks to the work of mechanical and aerospace engineering associate professor BAOXING XU and his research team at the University of Virginia. Integrating nanofoam with a specially designed “non-wetting ionized liquid” has created a liquid cushion that enhances athlete protection.
This breakthrough has the potential to benefit not only sports equipment but also car occupants and hospital patients using wearable medical devices. The team’s research, recently published in ADVANCED MATERIALS, addresses the need for a material that can withstand multiple impacts while providing both cushioning and resilience. Their previous work, published in the PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, explored using liquids in nanofoam to meet the complex safety requirements of high-contact sports.
More:
https://www.techexplorist.com/liquid-nanofoam-new-hope-injury-prevention/
