A shape memory alloy energy absorber for backpack design
Article
Article Title | A shape memory alloy energy absorber for backpack design |
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ERA Journal ID | 3642 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Lau, Sindy Mei-Ling (Author), Lau, Kin-Tak (Author), Yin, Yan-Sheng (Author), Li, Lan (Author), Wong, May (Author), Chan, Kevin (Author) and Chen, William (Author) |
Journal Title | Materials and Manufacturing Processes |
Journal Citation | 25 (4), pp. 281-286 |
Number of Pages | 6 |
Year | 2010 |
Place of Publication | Philadelphia, PA. United States |
ISSN | 1042-6914 |
1532-2475 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1080/10426910903426471 |
Abstract | Individuals employed in specific recreational,occupational, and military pursuits often carry heavy loads, using variety of pack systems. Recreational hikers and backpackers commonly carry subsistence and comfort items in backpacks. Firefighters, foot soldiers, and other emergency personnel carry extremely heavy backpack loads and walk longer distances than most of their civilian counterparts. It is shown that the physiological strain in terms of heart rates increases considerably when a user carries a load of more than 10.4 kg. Besides, additional stains are induced due to improper ergonomic design of backpacks' structures, which generate unbalanced loads to the user. Since shape memory alloys (SMAs) possess superior form-setting capability and pseudo-elastic properties, which in turn are perfect materials as a damper at the temperature above their austenite finish temperature (Af ), embedding an ergonomically-designed SMA energy absorber based on the users' motion, physiological, and ergonomic information into backpacks' structures is able to alleviate these excess strains for sporty and military applications. In this regard, this article presents the feasibility of using a specially designed SMA energy absorber for imbedding into shoulder belts of backpacks to alleviate the dynamic stress imposed onto shoulder of the backpackers. Our experimental results revealed that a certain amount of energy generated from the weight of the backpack can be absorbed by the absorber, which eventually can reduce the risk of fatigue and pain imposed on the backpackers. |
Keywords | energy absorption; shape memory alloys; smart materials; backpack load; dynamic stress; elastic properties; ergonomic design; finish temperature; heart rates; heavy loads; physiological strains; unbalanced loads |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 320802. Human biophysics |
401607. Metals and alloy materials | |
420701. Biomechanics | |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China |
Ocean University of China, China | |
Unitex International Button Accessories Hong Kong, China | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q099w/a-shape-memory-alloy-energy-absorber-for-backpack-design
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