Researchers tackle better design for anti-concussion headgear 

Researchers have developed a wearable material that may help dramatically reduce the risk of a concussion, suggests a new study. 

John LaRocco, lead author of a study and a research scientist in psychiatry at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, developed a wearable material that may help dramatically reduce the risk of a concussion. He and his team devised a way to bake starch into aerogel, a type of ultralight styrofoam typically used to provide effective insulation. Two launchers propelled tennis balls into a mock head at point-blank range. Results showed the material was able to both halt high-speed projectiles and protect against blunt force trauma.

“We found that our composite could absorb about 70% of the impact force under the best conditions,” Dr. LaRocco said. “In other words, only 30% of that impact force was going through.”

The study was recently published in the journal Technologies. Read more.