Shape memory sole embedded with shear thickening materials

• Main Author: Phyo, Aung Khant
• Other Authors: Huang Weimin
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Mechanical engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/77485
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

In this report, the energy recovery of the sole is emphasized as it is important for the runner or the jumper to save the energy in making every step. To achieve it, the shear thickening material was implemented inside the shape memory sole, made of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) material. In doing so, it is aimed to gain competitive advantage against the current technologies. To reduce the errors and mistakes in making the actual sole, 3 preliminary studies were conducted. After each studies, a few conclusions were made in order to avoid the shortcomings or improve during the next study. Because of all the efforts and time spent during this stage, the final sole product was achieved with very few things to note. During the execution of project, the substitute for the shear thickening material was required due to limited quantity available. According to previous studies, hydrogel shows lower performance shear thickening behavior, so it was used as a temporary solution. Subsequently, it was replaced with the shear thickening material to perform the final testing. It should be highlighted that testing was also made with the hydrogel, afterwards the performances of the original and all modified EVA soles were compared to that of commercialized product currently available in the market.