Interesting technology being put to work for our heads in Europe... Check it out: http://www.livescience.com/scienceof...04_ribcap.html
Summary:
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr><td align="left" height="120" valign="center" width="168"> </td> <td align="left" valign="top" width="355"> New Soft Helmet Turns Hard in Crash
By Bill Christensen
posted: 04 December 2005
10:02 am ET
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Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire have discovered a complex elastomeric compound they call d3o that is both soft and hard.
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="9" width="200"> <tbody> <tr> <td bgcolor="#dcdcdc">The Ribcap is seen above. Below, the d3o 'ribs' in the cap.
</td></tr></tbody></table> A shear thickening material, it is flexible when moved slowly, but when it is compresssed by an impact, its molecules lock together. The material stiffens, spreading the impact over a greater area. The Swiss company Ribcap is bringing out a new line of headgear for snowsports based on this material. The Ribcap is a combination soft, flexible beanie and tough helmet.
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Check link at top for full article... I'm sure they'll come up with something a bit more visually appealing, but....