A new material that can better protect the bodies of soldiers

Pressurized injection of aqueous solutions into water-repellent nanoporous materials, such as zeolites and metal organic frameworks, could aid in the development of highly efficient systems for energy and shock absorption

[Translation by Dr. Moshe Nachmani]

An international team of researchers examining materials of the type "Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks" (Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks) with hydrothermal stability within which there is a hydrophobic (water repellent) cage-like molecular structure found that such systems are particularly effective for absorbing energy under high and realistic load conditions, and that this phenomenon is related to mobility and to create clusters of water molecules inside these nanocages. Researchers from the Universities of Birmingham and Oxford in the United Kingdom, and the University of Ghent in Belgium, recently published their findings in the scientific journal Nature Materials. 

One of the researchers explains: "Today, rubber is commonly used as a shock-absorbing material, but the new process we discovered produces a material that can absorb much more mechanical energy per gram, along with the ability of multi-use thanks to its unique nanometer mechanism. The new material could be of great importance for vehicle safety in times of accidents and collisions, both for drivers and pedestrians, for military vehicles and protected infrastructures and for body protection, for example, of soldiers, athletes and bikers. Soldiers and police/security personnel will be able to benefit from more effective protective vests and suits against explosions and athletes will be able to use stronger helmets, knee pads and shoe soles thanks to the fact that the material is in a liquid-like state and flexible enough to be worn."

Applications also in the automotive field

The versatility of the material, which results from the spontaneous release of the water molecules, allows the material to also be suitable for damping purposes, that is, it can be used for the development of vehicles with less noise and vibration, as well as for increasing the comfort of the ride itself. The material can also be incorporated into moving mechanical parts in order to reduce vibrations and harmful noises - while reducing maintenance costs. The material could also be used to reduce the vulnerability of buildings and bridges to earthquakes.

Existing materials for absorbing energy are based on processes such as 'extensive plastic deformation', 'cell buckling' and 'viscoelastic dissipation' - processes that make it difficult to produce materials that can provide effective protection against multiple shocks.  

Article Summary

The news about the study

• From the lotus to the wings of the pigeon - water and dirt repellent surfaces
• Development of a replacement for chromium, the pollutant and carcinogen in the automotive and aviation industries
• refuel with hydrogen