UMass Dartmouth HELMET SAFETY Project - selected as finalist Dec 2015 (1of 5)

The University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth's Bioengineering Department has submitted a proposal to study Flocked Energy Absorbing Material (FEAM) helmet pad structures for sport and military applications. The proposal was submitted in response to the "Head Health Challenge," a joint project of the National Football League, GE, and Under Armour. These organizations have committed up to $20 million in research and technology to develop new materials and technologies to better protect against traumatic brain injury.

The UMass proposal, which enjoys the support of the American Flock Association and its member companies, is based on the use of textile flocking processes to fabricate impact energy absorbing layers whose upright oriented fibers undergo a unique bending and damped spring-like action when compressed. The project will be a joint effort by UMass Dartmouth and the University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

The winners of the challenges will be selected by a panel of external judges that include leading healthcare experts in brain research, imaging technologies, and advocates for advances in brain research.

For further information contact info@flocking.org.