Could foam be the ideal body armor?The ArmyÂ’s research and development arm has funded a three-year research program at University of California, San Diego investigating nanofoam for protection -- the first foam armor endeavor ever, the college said.
"We’re developing nanofoams that help disperse the force of an impact over a wider area,” explained UC San Diego professor of structural engineering Yu Qiao. "They will appear to be less rigid but will actually be more resistant than ordinary foams."
QiaoÂ’s nanofoam may someday protect soldiersÂ’ brains from blast trauma and prevent blast-induced lung injury. It may also be used to protect buildings from blasts.