Navy researcher designs shock-absorbing helmet
U.S. Navy researcher David Jesse Daily has created a prototype helmet with “increased protective capability.” As reported by TechLink, this helmet uses cavitating bubbles, which are “the formation of vapor pockets in a fluid,” to act as a shock absorber.
This new helmet design transfers the energy created on impact into the cavitation bubbles to help cushion the brain. In this process, kinetic energy is temporarily absorbed by the cavitation bubbles, which lengthens “the overall duration of frontal impact by 20%.” This lengthening of the impact duration allows more time for the cerebral-spinal fluid to soften the blow and possibly prevent injury.
The Navy has a utility patent application pending; however, private companies will be able to license the idea from the Navy to commercialize the helmet if the patent is approved. Daily’s research is currently on pause, but he is interested in doing more research on cavitation bubbles to decrease traumatic brain injuries.