Helmet sensors provide army with injury data

e14news — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 00:23:40 GMT

Current Revision posted to Documents by e14news on 10/7/2021 12:23:40 AM

Some 7,000 helmet-mounted sensors have been used by the US army to collect data on blast trauma from improvised explosive devices. The lightweight sensors were used to record concussive forces, including helmet acceleration and blast pressure, containing the ability to store up to 600 events. Using the data collected by the sensors, the US army is now developing a detailed model of how the helmets and helmet pads distribute and cushion external pressures on the headgear, giving insights into the design of future protective equipment. "The sensors promise to provide the medical community and our equipment developers with critically important information on what constitutes a blast causing potentially serious injury to our service members," commented Brigadier General Peter Fuller.

Recently researchers at the University of Leeds developed an energy-harvesting device to capture the kinetic energy produced when soldiers march.