The Clemson Headgear Impact Performance (CHIP) Lab has developed multiple methods, both novel and standard, to characterize the performance of headgear systems and individual components in attenuating impact response. Though a specific focus has been given to American football headgear and the contribution that facemasks may have in dissipating energy and improving impact performance, recent efforts have been dedicated to the addition of biological testing of cadaveric specimen and analysis of human motion biomechanics. With the diverse scope of research conducted, the CHIP Laboratory aims to address the gaps in current literature, design considerations, and testing methodologies to interpret the parameters pertinent to attenuating primary injury metrics. Collectively, past and current projects serve to inform protective headgear design communities, including sports and other industries, of the design characteristics that will provide optimal protection.
Capabilities
3D Scanning
Housed in the Clemson University Makerspace, the Artec Eva 3D scanner allows the CHIP Laboratory to reverse engineer complex geometries for computational analyses.
Finite Element Analyses
Through the partnership between Clemson University and ANSYS, INC., the CHIP Laboratory is capable of performing finite element simulations. In conjunction with modeling methodologies made possible by the 3D scanner, the CHIP Laboratory has published work pertaining to finite element simulations of the CHIP Laboratory novel facemask structural stiffness test.
Cadaveric Testing
The CHIP Laboratory has the capabilities for testing of biological specimen as it pertains to various impact related injuries.
Custom Fixturing
As is the case with many of the novel testing methodologies developed in the CHIP Laboratory, custom fixturing for component or headgear analyses is fundamental to the research performed in the laboratory.
NOCSAE Compliant testing
The CHIP Laboratory is capable of testing according to NOCSAE Standards:
- ND002-17m19a—Standard Performance Specification for Newly Manufactured Football Helmets
- ND081-18am20—Standard Linear Impactor Test Method and Equipment Used in Evaluating the Performance Characteristics of Protective Headgear and Faceguards
- ND087-18m18—Standard Method of Impact Test and Performance Requirements for Football Faceguards
In addition to these standards, the laboratory is likely capable of executing other NOCSAE standards; however, the laboratory is most familiar with the standards above pertaining to football helmets and facemasks.
NFL Helmet Challenge Protocol Compliant testing
The CHIP Laboratory is capable of testing according to the NFL Helmet Challenge Protocol, a method developed to assess headgear for the NFL Helmet Challenge. This validated and published methodology combines linear and rotational acceleration metrics to best simulate protection from primary injury metrics—shear strain on the brain.
Research Overview
Neck Muscle Mechanics and Their Effect on Head Response During Impacts
The contribution of neck musculature in mitigation of head acceleration during impacts is not well understood. The goal of this project is to quantify the response of the neck and construct a computational head and neck model to better predict susceptibility to concussion and other mild traumatic brain injuries in athletes.
Development of Novel Test Method to Measure Brain Mechanics During Concussive Events
Research on the effect of direct head impacts on brain movement and trauma is limited. The Hybrid III head form is unable to produce accurate results related to brain mechanics due to its assumption that the brain and skull are a single, connected entity. The goal of this project is to measure brain response to helmeted impacts using cadaveric specimens.
Position-Specific Analysis of Common American Football Facemasks
Position-specific designs have been highlighted in the literature and national conferences as the goal for headgear researchers and designers. This study seeks to compare position-specific facemask styles in a protocol similar to the NFL Helmet Challenge to evaluate performance differences between facemask styles for certain positions.
Comparison of Impact Performance between Common Professional Bull Riding Helm
This study utilizes the precision of the linear impactor to compare impact performance between Professional Bull Riding helmets. Custom anvils—modeled from ASTM standards—simulate the hooves of bulls to more appropriately load the headgear. These results will provide a better illustration of the performance of each headgear system in attenuating brain injury.
