Shock absorbers are used in a variety of applications to ensure energy dissipation, thereby safeguarding machines, components, or individuals. In the field of automation technology, it is particularly crucial to dampen masses within a given braking distance and in the shortest time possible, while avoiding the generation of high braking forces. Addressing this challenge necessitates the use of materials that adapt the amount of dissipated energy based on the velocity and mass of the moving components. In the BMFTR-project “ProBand” programmable materials with such kind of behavior are developed.

We will show a concept of a programmable shock absorber, which is inspired by a mechanism of action in the human intervertebral disc. The concept is based on interconnected elastic bellows, which facilitate fluid exchange among themselves or with a compensating volume. The pressure within the system, which depends on the impact velocity and the applied force, determines how much energy is directly dissipated or intermediately stored as potential deformation energy in the second bellow. Similar to the intervertebral disc were axial compressive loads during an impact lead to lateral expansion of the gelatinous core, which is converted into tensile forces in the fibrous rings. Simultaneously, the water within the core is expelled outward through the fibers, resulting in energy dissipation.