Multifunctional Modular Sports Protective Gear Based on Non-Newtonian Fluid Materials

For sports protective gear, it is essential to provide good protection while ensuring comfort and ease of movement. Additionally, for users who have multiple sports interests, carrying and switching between various protective gear can be inconvenient. Therefore, I want to design a piece of protective gear that offers excellent protection, ensures comfort, is cost-effective, and can be freely adjusted to different positions according to the required scenarios, thus achieving multiple uses with one piece of gear.

In this proposal, the most important aspect is the material of the protective gear. Regarding this, I thought about a non-Newtonian fluid that I saw online. The characteristic of this fluid is that the faster the fluid moves, the more viscous it becomes, behaving like a solid. The greater the external impact force, the harder it becomes, and the better it can disperse the impact force. Normally, it flows like a liquid, ensuring comfort. Its cost is also very low, as it can be made with water and starch. Therefore, as long as we find the appropriate ratio and assembly plan, the goal of this project can be achieved.

Find the most suitable ratio of materials for making the non-Newtonian fluid. Measure and mix different proportions of water and cornstarch, and observe the fluidity and response to force of the non-Newtonian fluid with various ratios.

Find the optimal non-Newtonian fluid mixture ratio for dispersing impact force. Use a certain mass of weights dropped from different heights and employ thin-film pressure sensors to measure the impact force.

1. Place the weight above the thin-film pressure sensor.
2. Place non-Newtonian fluids with different mixture ratios on the thin-film pressure sensor.
3. Release the weight to let it fall freely and observe the readings on the thin-film pressure sensor.

Making Protective Gear

1. Measure the dimensions of the area that needs protection. Then, cut the hook-and-loop fastener's loop side to the appropriate size, ensuring to leave holes for the buckles to pass through for fastening.
2. Thread the buckles through the pre-cut holes and adjust the length of the buckle straps to ensure they can be worn on the corresponding body part.
3. Mix an appropriate ratio of non-Newtonian fluid materials, and pour the prepared non-Newtonian fluid into a sealed plastic bag for storage.

The finished product looks like this when worn.