NS Honeycombs Demonstration

Cockrell School engineers have developed a groundbreaking new energy-absorbing structure, called negative stiffness (NS) honeycombs, to better withstand blunt and ballistic impact. This video demonstrates the elastic buckling, or bouncing back, of the structure, a breakthrough that is not present in conventional honeycomb structures, which can only withstand one compression. The technology could have major implications for the design and production of future vehicles and military and athletic helmets to improve safety.