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.

Comments

Withstand the Resistance

[flopsquad]

Researchers at MIT used a 3D printing approach to develop a biomimetic composite capable of withstanding 70-85% more resistance than typical helmet designs.

"AGGGHHH TOO MANY OHMS!! LITERALLY 1 MILLION OHMS! I'M NOT... going.. to... hey, wow this is a nice helmet! I really couldn't have withstood that resistance for much longer. Thanks ConchHat, you saved me!"