Rolls-royce Corporation

Matteo Bianchi

Fabrizio Scarpa

A method of manufacturing a foam having a Poisson's ratio which varies across at least a region of the foam in a gradient distribution involves the steps of: a) providing a housing defining an internal space having an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture; b) providing an open-cell foam of a size and shape configured to fit inside the internal space of the housing; c) positioning the foam inside the internal space of the housing; d) establishing a flow of air through the foam via the inlet and outlet apertures; e) heating the foam to a predetermined temperature while maintaining the flow of air through the foam; and f) subsequently cooling the foam while continuing to maintain the flow of air through the foam. A foam of such a type is also presented.

Method of manufacturing a foam showing a gradient poisson's ratio behaviour

A method of manufacturing a foam having a negative Poisson's ratio comprising the steps: placing a padof open cell polyurethane foam on a moulding surface; placing a flexible membraneover the exposed surface of the foam to create a sealed chamberbetween the moulding surfaceand the flexible membranein which the foam padis disposed; applying an isostatic pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the chamberthereby collapsing the foam padbetween the flexible membraneand the moulding surface; heating the foam padto a predetermined temperature, and subsequently cooling the foam padwhile collapsed.

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Bristol, United Kingdom

Matteo Bianchi