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Auxetic materials used in protective wear

An explanation of auxetic material and how it absorbs impact through its ability to become denser when stretched. A link is made to the layers of protection found in mussel shells, the inner layer of the shell is auxetic. Andy includes an explanation of the research his team are doing into designing with auxetic properties, potentially for protective sports equipment and beyond, recognising there is a need for protective wear not just in sports but for the vulnerable, ie after a hip injury. This flexibility of the auxetic structure is being tested for its use in architecture. Creating structures that can be installed in an instant in disaster relief areas. Fran Scott shows how a card model can be created to illustrate the properties of the material.

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7 minutes