Smart Foam Detects Concussions

Nov-08-13 Joining the effort to monitor concussions sustained by football players, a student has designed a smart foam for helmets that will measure the force of each impact to the head.

The Xonano (“exo-nano”) silicon-based, piezoelectric smart foam contains nanoparticles that will generate electric signals when compressed. The signals are then transmitted wirelessly to the trainer or coach’s digital device. According to Jake Merrell, the Brigham Young student who designed the foam, “A coach will know within seconds exactly how hard their player just got hit. Even if a player pops up and acts fine, the folks on the sidelines will have data showing that maybe he isn’t OK.”

The self-sensing foam could also have a wide range of other applications, such as in law enforcement and the automotive industry.

More Info about this Invention:

[GIZMAG.COM]
[BRIGHAM YOUNG]

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