Rogers Corp. announced a development partnership with XOnano Smartfoam, a provider of self-sensing foam materials and wireless measurement technologies, to create "smart" foams. The Smartfoams combine XOnano’s piezoresponsive technology with the impact-absorption qualities of Rogers PORON polyurethane foam materials.

With the ability to sense the magnitude, type, and location of impacts, Smartfoams can also mitigate the effects of impacts, according to the companies.  While traditional systems separate the sensing action from the mitigation action, Smartfoams reportedly offer both highly accurate, self-powered sensing integrated with impact protection. The flexible, compressive sensing is unobtrusive and can be incorporated into existing applications without adversely affecting design or performance.

Although sports impact has been the main focus of development efforts thus far, future efforts will target the footwear, automotive, and other industries in which an ability to sense and absorb impact is critical.

For more information on XOnano self-sensing foam, visit http://www.xonano.com.

For more information on the Rogers family of elastomeric material solutions, visit http://rogerscorp.com.