Available Technologies

Executive Summary

This technology addresses brain injuries while wearing a helmet.  A novel technique adds an outer layer to helmet shells to absorb multiple impacts and divert energy away for the skull to reduce concussions.  The innovation can also reduce projectile penetration in a way that is repairable and re-healable for low or multiple low-velocity impacts.  In other applications, the energy dissipation advantage can be used in composite materials to improve impact resistance and durability.

Description of Technology

The technology includes graphite fibers in a composite material.  Multiple layers of a composite include graphite nanoparticles in a polymer or epoxy resin matrix so as to increase impact resistance through dissipation of energy within the material.  This composite shell may be used in a helmet to dissipate one or multiple impacts directed toward the skull to protect the head and neck in military, industrial, vehicular, or sporting applications.  The modified composite material may also be used in any application where impact resistance is desired, including greater resistance to projectiles.

Key Benefits:

• Improved impact resistance for composite structures.
• Improved head and neck safety relative to multiple low-velocity impacts.
• Suitable for new helmets and modification of existing helmets.
• Light-weight helmet enhancement.
• repairable and re-healable.

Patent Status:

Canadian Patent 2,984,160, EP patent 3289307 (UK, FR, DE) 

Licensing Rights:

Full rights available outside the United States

Inventors:

Lawrence Drzal, Ph.D.; and Mahmoodul Haq, Ph.D.

Tech ID:

TEC2013-0085