June 15, 2015

New Honeycomb-Inspired Design Delivers Superior Protection from Impact




(June 15, 2015)  Researchers in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a groundbreaking new energy-absorbing structure to better withstand blunt and ballistic impact. The technology, called negative stiffness (NS) honeycombs, can be integrated into car bumpers, military and athletic helmets and other protective hardware.

The technology could have major implications for the design and production of future vehicles and military gear to improve safety.

The new NS honeycomb structures are able to provide repeated protection from multiple impacts, offering more durability than existing honeycomb technology found in a range of products from automobiles to aircraft. The UT Austin team’s research on the innovative structure was published online in Integrated Materials and Manufacturing Innovation in May.

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