Rogers Corporation is pleased to announce a development partnership with XOnano Smartfoam, the provider of self-sensing foam materials and wireless measurement technologies, to create ”smart” foams. The Smartfoams combine XOnano’s patented piezoresponsive technology with the unique 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 those impacts. While traditional systems separate the sensing action from the mitigation action, these innovative Smartfoams offer the best of both worlds – highly accurate, self-powered sensing integrated with the best impact protection. The flexible, compressive sensing is unobtrusive and has been incorporated into existing applications without adversely affecting design or performance.
Jake Merrell, President of XOnano, states, “The long term consistency and compression set resistance of PORON polyurethane foam materials – including XRD® – are a great match for our impact sensing technology, and allows us to provide consistency in measurements.”
Sports impact has been the main focus of development efforts thus far, with the first commercialized Smartfoam product utilizing Rogers’ XRD Extreme Impact Protection polyurethane foam. Future efforts will target the footwear, automotive, and other industries in which an ability to sense and absorb impact is critical.
Nicole Perry, Rogers’ Market Segment Manager of XRD Impact and PORON Comfort commented, “We have been amazed at the accuracy and range of XOnano’s impact measurements. This has been an exciting development partnership, the combination of a performance foam with sensing capability has the potential to be a game changer in many applications.”
The XOnano/Rogers partnership stemmed from an initiative launched by one of Rogers’ Innovation Centers, whose overarching mission is to seek out and foster emerging technologies. With locations across the globe, the Centers identify and develop commercially-viable breakthrough innovations in advanced materials in an effort to address global challenges.
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.
About XOnano Smartfoam
XOnano is a startup based in Orem Utah, and is the creator of Smartfoam technology. Smartfoam represents a new class of composite material that enables impact measurement and mitigation in a single layer. Smartfoam has been integrated into products ranging from beds to insoles to industrial bushings. XOnano provides smart materials, engineering consulting, and algorithm development to drive the next generation of connected products.
About Rogers Corporation
Rogers Corporation (NYSE:ROG) is a global leader in engineered materials to power, protect, and connect our world. With more than 180 years of materials science experience, Rogers delivers high-performance solutions that enable clean energy, internet connectivity, and safety and protection applications, as well as other technologies where reliability is critical. Rogers delivers Power Electronics Solutions for energy-efficient motor drives, e-Mobility and renewable energy; Elastomeric Material Solutions for sealing, vibration management and impact protection in mobile devices, transportation interiors, industrial equipment and performance apparel; and Advanced Connectivity Solutions for wireless infrastructure, automotive safety and radar systems. Headquartered in Arizona (USA), Rogers operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, China, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, and South Korea, with joint ventures and sales offices worldwide.
Rogers Corporation will be exhibiting at booth 1018 at Foam Expo North America 2018.
XOnano Smartfoams will be exhibiting at booth 1020 at Foam Expo North America 2018