A novel shock absorber device has been engineered at the University at Buffalo to be reused after impact.

Composed of low-cost metallic materials, the energy dissipation device features both high stiffness and high damping characteristics.

According to Jongmin Shim, associate professor of structural engineering, “Our structure is unique in that it enables impact energy to detour around the vehicle. It's comprised of one column with a flange at each end. These flanges have hinges that allow the normally rigid column to snap out of place, which converts external energy into kinetic energy of the disconnected column, eventually protecting the vehicle."

Images show the device bending and snapping to dissipate energy. Source: University at Buffalo

The feasibility of the design detailed in the International Journal of Mechanical Sciences was demonstrated with desktop-scaled experiments and the finite element simulations. The developers cite potential applications in automobiles, marine transport, helicopters and drones.