When everyday materials are pulled, they stretch or elongate in the direction of the pull and become narrower in cross-section. We can also observe this property in two-dimensional textiles. Auxetic ...

They have the potential to offer greater protection from explosions and collisions. In a sneaker insole, an auxetic gel or rubber foam might better cushion the foot when it strikes the ground. In ...

Auxetic metamaterials can improve comfort, fit, and impact protection in products such as body protection and helmets. They ...

Bicycle helmets are important for protecting cyclists from head injuries, but traditional designs have limitations in terms of impact absorption and fit. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg ...

A material used in running shoes and memory foam pillows has inspired the design of a 3D-printed product that could help protect buildings from collision damage and other high impact forces, ...

On the surface, running shoes, memory foam and masonry don’t have much in common. But there is a new material connection. Auxetic materials are used in running shoes and memory foam. Researchers are ...

Such common-sense-defying materials do exist. They’re called auxetics, and they have a raft of unique properties that make them well-suited for sneaker insoles, bomb-resilient buildings, car bumpers ...

Auxetics defy common sense, widening when stretched and narrowing when compressed. NIST researchers have now made the process of using them much easier. Such common-sense-defying materials do exist.