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Starboard is working
to exploit the energy absorbing capabilities of Nickel Titanium
(NiTi) for reducing loads on aircraft occupants during a crash.
Working with Midé Technology on a research program from NASA
Langley Research Center, new seat support structures are being developed
to improve survivability. NiTi material processing is being optimized
to achieve maximum benefit. Phase I impact tests and tensile tests
showed promising results. NiTi can elongate more than 70% in tension,
absorbing significantly more energy than other metals. The current
Phase II effort is underway and will lead to a full-scale crash
test of a redesigned seat.
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