Work

D‐HAT: A Diatom‐Inspired Structure for a Helmet Concept Against Trauma

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Helmets are critical for minimizing the risk of traumatic brain injuries in road accidents and sports. Traditional designs feature a rigid outer shell and a deformable inner liner of foam for energy absorption. Recent advancements have introduced architected materials as alternatives to conventional foams, offering improved safety and multifunctionality. Herein, a diatom‐inspired architected material optimized for energy absorption in helmet liners is proposed and designed for a new concept of multifunctional helmets. The material is modeled using CAD tools, its performance is evaluated through finite element analysis and quasistatic compression tests on 3D‐printed elastomeric samples, and parametric optimization is applied. The results demonstrate energy absorption comparable to conventional materials, laying the groundwork for future studies on fluid‐dynamic behavior and multifunctional helmet designs.
Institution: University of Genoa
Language: English
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,970
OpenAlex ID: W4407153236
FWCI: 1.186
Cites: 76
Cited by: 4
Related to: 10