DataVXAdvanced Engineering MaterialsPaper
journal article·2025-09Open access

Photothermal Polyurethane Composite Foam: Enhanced Bionic Honeycomb Columnar Structure, Expanded Polystyrene Granules, and Spacer Fabric for Body Protection

Le‐Tian Li, Ting‐Ting Li, Chen‐Wei Zhang, Ying Zhang, Hongyang Wang, Hai‐tao Ren, Jia‐Horng Lin, Ching‐Wen Lou

Advanced Engineering Materials· Volume 27· Issue 17
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Source abstract

Abstract

Single polyurethane (PU) foams exhibit poor energy absorption, short service life, and are prone to damage under impact, which significantly limits their practical applications. In this study, inspired by the sheath wings of beetles, a bionic honeycomb columnar‐structured PU foam is developed. To further enhance its mechanical performance, the foam is reinforced with expanded polystyrene (EPS) particles and spacer fabrics. Additionally, a titanium nitride photothermal functional layer is applied to the surface to endow the material with photothermal properties. The mechanical properties, photothermal performance, cost‐efficiency, and human wearability of the composite PU foam are systematically investigated. The results demonstrate that the composite PU foam exhibits excellent mechanical strength and superior photothermal effects. Cost analysis reveals a 54% reduction compared to the D3O intelligent impact protection material, highlighting its economic advantage. Moreover, the material shows good softness and conforms well to the human knee, offering enhanced comfort during physical activity. These findings provide a novel strategy for developing sports knee pad materials suitable for cold environments.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

Composites

OpenAlex topics: Polymer composites and self-healing · Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications · Cellular and Composite Structures

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

School of Textile Science and Engineering Tiangong University Tianjin 300387 China

Shaoxing Keqiao Institute of Tiangong University Shaoxing 312030 China

Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Advanced Textile Composite Materials Tiangong University Tianjin 300387 China

College of Light Industry and Materials Chengdu Textile College No. 186 Chengdu 611731 Sichuan China

Sichuan Provincial Engineering Research Center of Functional Development and Application of High Performance Special Textile Materials Chengdu Textile College Chengdu 611731 Sichuan China

No. 6 Research Division Tianjin Fire Science and Technology Research Institute of MEM Tianjin 300381 China

Advanced Medical Care and Protection Technology Research Center Department of Fiber and Composite Materials Feng Chia University Taichung City 407102 Taiwan

Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering Asia University Taichung City 413305 Taiwan

Department of Medical Research China Medical University Hospital China Medical University Taichung City 404333 Taiwan

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