Auxetic Technology for Personal Protection
An international team of researchers has developed a prototype bicycle helmet that uses auxetic materials, capable of absorbing impacts more efficiently than conventional materials. This advancement could signify a major change in the protection of urban and professional cyclists.
The helmet's internal structure contracts upon impact, dissipating energy more effectively and reducing the risk of injury
Innovative Features
- Hyperelastic material that maintains its shape after deformation
- Internal structure optimized through computational modeling
- Manufacturing via 3D printing for customization
- Higher impact absorption efficiency than traditional helmets
Manufacturing Process
Production via 3D printing allows each helmet to be adapted to the user's cranial morphology, offering a perfect fit. This technology also facilitates the creation of complex internal structures that would be impossible to manufacture with conventional methods.
Future Applications
The researchers emphasize that this technology could be extended to other sports protection equipment and industrial safety gear. The development represents a significant advancement in the practical application of auxetic materials, which have been known theoretically for decades but were difficult to implement until now.