Summary of the Blog:
- A textile engineer at Heriot-Watt University has developed a new 3D-printed material to enhance flexibility and comfort in personal protective equipment (PPE).
- The material, based on a re-entrant honeycomb structure, offers improved impact protection, flexibility, and resistance compared to traditional foam.
- Dr. Saadullah Channa’s research has the potential to revolutionize protective wear design, making it more comfortable without compromising safety.
Rewritten Article:
A groundbreaking study conducted at Heriot-Watt University by textile engineer Dr. Saadullah Channa has led to the development of a cutting-edge 3D-printed material aimed at revolutionizing personal protective equipment (PPE). Traditionally, protective clothing has been constructed using foam to absorb impact, but this often sacrifices mobility. Dr. Channa’s innovative approach involves utilizing 3D printing technology to create a soft material from a single flexible resin arranged in a re-entrant honeycomb structure, offering a viable alternative to foam.
Unlike conventional hexagonal honeycombs, the re-entrant honeycomb structure features inwardly protruding cell walls, giving it unique auxetic properties. When stretched, the material expands instead of contracting, and upon impact, it contracts rather than expands, providing a balance of flexibility and resistance. Initial tests of the 3D-printed auxetic structure have shown promising results, with a 5mm layer offering three times greater impact protection than traditional foam of the same thickness. Importantly, the material flexes in all directions, ensuring comfort and mobility without compromising safety.
Dr. Channa’s research initially focused on improving the ergonomics of sportswear, but the implications of his work extend to various sectors, including healthcare. The material, structured from a polyurethane-based flexible resin, demonstrates enhanced protection at reduced thickness, enhancing mobility significantly compared to traditional foam. A series of experiments carried out at the Galashiels campus confirmed exceptional energy absorption in the auxetic structure, highlighting its effectiveness in impact resistance.
Dr. Channa’s pioneering work marks a significant step in the evolution of protective wear design, offering a comfortable and safe alternative to conventional foam-based materials. The study not only explores the mobility and impact resistance of the auxetic material but also opens doors to advanced applications in protective clothing. Dr. Channa aims to collaborate with industry partners, including renowned sports brands, to introduce his innovative material to the market.
Dr. Danmei Sun, Associate Professor in Textile Materials and Technology at the School of Textiles and Design, commended Dr. Channa’s research for its potential to transform the PPE sector. The 3D-printed honeycomb structures with active-responding impact performance present a promising alternative to traditional protective foams, striking a balance between safety and mobility. By reducing material thickness while enhancing energy absorption, this breakthrough innovation paves the way for more comfortable and efficient protective gear across diverse industries, from healthcare to emergency response.
This pioneering research by Dr. Saadullah Channa at Heriot-Watt University holds immense promise for the future of protective clothing, offering a blend of comfort, flexibility, and safety that could redefine standards in the industry.
