Bio-Inspired Impact-Absorbing Helmet via Origami Metamaterials and 4D Printing

Автор: 健峰 凯 孙 (Jianfeng Sun)

Организация: Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China

Head protection is a critical concern in industries ranging from construction to aerospace, yet conventional helmets often face trade-offs between weight, cost, and safety performance. Recent advancements in mechanical metamaterials and additive manufacturing offer transformative solutions. Mechanical metamaterials, engineered with tailored microstructures, exhibit exceptional properties such as negative Poisson’s ratio and high energy absorption, which are unattainable with natural materials. Origami-inspired structures, particularly Kresling patterns, have shown promise in energy dissipation due to their geometric flexibility and stability under load. Meanwhile, 4D printing—an extension of 3D printing using smart materials—enables dynamic, stimuli-responsive structures, further enhancing design possibilities. This project explores the integration of these technologies to develop a "super-structured helmet" that addresses the limitations of existing designs. By combining biomimetic honeycomb outer layers with optimized origami-based internal frameworks, the helmet aims to achieve superior impact resistance, lightweight properties, and cost efficiency, with potential applications in civilian, industrial, and aerospace sectors. 

Funding Information: Harbin Institute of Technology Top-Notch Student Cultivation Program

Acknowledgments: We are deeply grateful to our supervisor, Prof. Zhao Jie, for her invaluable guidance, constant encouragement. We’d also like to give special thanks to the members of the Planetary Rovers Team of HIT, especially Mr. Chen Yanhong, for his constructive suggestions and collaborative spirit. Working with the team has been an enlightening experience. 

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