A new elastic micro lattice material designed for safer helmets

A new elastic micro lattice material, designed for an increase in safety in cyclists, soldiers and athletes’ helmets, has been developed by engineers at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), the US Army Research Laboratory and HRL Laboratories. Researchers believe the material has better performance than the current vinyl and polystyrene foams used in combat and sports helmets due to its state-of-the-art, shock absorbing structure and a cooling element which allows air to pass through.

Multiple variations of the padding were put to the test, firstly on their own and then in helmets under the US Army test conditions. The most effective micro lattice material absorbed energy up to forty-eight percent more effectively, compared to the current top vinyl nitrile foam. Furthermore, the material also absorbed up to twenty-seven percent more energy from a singular impact in contrast to the current, most effective expanded polystyrene foam. Moreover, the material absorbed up to fourteen-percent more energy in a single hit compared to the current micro lattice designs and was able to sustain its structure after continuous impacts.

Materials Science doctoral student at the USCB, researcher at HRL Laboratories and lead scientist, Eric Clough, stated: “Our technology could revolutionise football, batting, bicycle, and motorcycle helmets, making them better at protecting the wearer and much easier to have on your head due to the increased airflow. A noticeable percentage of improvement in impact absorption was something we were hoping for, but the actual numbers were better than we expected. Our testing shows that the pads work better than anything on the current market.”