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Conch Shells Inspire Next Generation Helmets, Body Armor (rdmag.com)
New submitter omaha393 writes: Researchers at MIT used a 3D printing approach to develop a biomimetic composite capable of withstanding 70-85% more resistance than typical helmet designs. The material was manufactured using a composite of hard and soft printable polymers called VeroMagenta and TangoBlackPlus. The polymers were printed to overlay in a specific pattern that mimics conch shell molecular hierarchy, thus preventing cracks from spreading and offering a substantially more crack-resistant material. The researchers propose the material can be custom tailored and readily printed for future helmets and body armor manufacturing. The study has been published in Advanced Materials.
I wonder if this would help football players. Something to keep concussions from happening with such frequency.
This specific development? Probably not. It sounds as though this material is about as hard as current football helmets, and perhaps harder. Impact causes concussions because sudden acceleration or deceleration of the head causes the brain to hit the inside of the skull. But perhaps the knowledge and techniques gained here might allow them create padding for football helmets that absorbs impacts better than the current materials.
'The Economy' is a giant Ponzi scheme whose most pitiable suckers are the youngest among us and the yet-unborn.
Bullshit. Go do some simple fact checking. It's illegal for felons, as are guns, but I can buy and wear body armor if I so desire.