Apparatus Utilizing Smart Fabrics for Providing Protection of the Head and Brain from Injury in Six Degrees of Freedom

Abstract

A compression garment, which may be hooded, that reduces the incidence of concussions and/or traumatic brain injuries for athletes, adventurists (i.e., competitive athletes and recreational athletes), military members, law enforcement officers, and professionals working in dangerous environments is disclosed. The garment mitigates concussions/traumatic brain injuries by reducing both the linear and rotational accelerations and velocities of the head with the rotational acceleration/velocity being most targeted. The garment uses a combination of compression fabric, smart fabrics and shear thickening fluid to achieve this goal. By reducing these accelerations and velocities, the garment is able to lessen the shear stress and pressure on the brain, thereby reducing brain injuries.

Claims

1. A garment that comprises a compression fabric, and a smart fabric that comprises a shear thickening fluid.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the smart fabric comprises nylon, spandex, cotton, wool, hemp, bamboo, silk, Kevlar, polyester, polyester blends, high-performance polymer fabrics, other natural or synthetic fabrics, or combinations thereof.

3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the shear thickening fluid comprises a colloidal silica mixture.

4. The garment of claim 3, wherein the colloidal silica mixture comprises silica nanoparticles suspended in a polyethylene glycol fluid.

5. The garment of claim 2, wherein the smart fabric comprises nylon, Kevlar, spandex, polyester blends, or high-performance polymer fabrics.

6. The garment of claim 2, wherein the smart fabric further comprises one or more electrical components selected from the group consisting of a battery, a led, an electronic chip, and a sensor.

7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is a hooded garment, and the hooded garment comprises the shear thickening fluid in only a part of the garment.

8. The hooded garment of claim 7, wherein the part of the garment comprises one or more of a hood, a shoulder, an inner arm or a neck.

9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the shear thickening fluid comprises one or more of starch dispersions, silica slurries, silica-ethylene glycol mixes, CeO.sub.2-silica suspensions, silica microsphere and ionic liquids, multi-walled carbon nanotubes-polypropylene glycol mixes, silica-carbon nanotube, silica-polypropylene glycol, or combinations thereof.

10. The garment of claim 1, wherein the shear thickening fluid is not in padding.

11. The garment of claim 7, wherein the shear thickening fluid is a silica nanoparticles suspended in a polyethylene glycol fluid and the smart fabric comprises nylon, Kevlar, spandex, polyester blends, or high-performance polymer fabrics.

12. The hooded garment of claim 11, wherein the hooded garment comprises the shear thickening fluid present only in one or more of the hood, the neck, and the shoulder.

13. The hooded garment of claim 11, wherein the shear thickening fluid is not present in the torso of the hooded garment.

14. A method of reducing mechanical shear stress in a person that undergoes an impact event, the method comprising the person wearing a hooded garment, the hooded garment comprising a smart fabric and a shear thickening fluid.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the mechanical shear stress is a shear stress on the head.

16. A method of reducing or mitigating the severity of a concussion or traumatic brain injury in a human, the method comprising the human wearing a hooded garment, the hooded garment comprising a smart fabric and a shear thickening fluid.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the reducing or mitigating the severity of the concussion or traumatic brain injury is a result of reducing one or more of sagittal movement, frontal (coronal) movement, or transverse (axial) movement.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the shear thickening fluid comprise silica nanoparticles suspended in a polyethylene glycol fluid.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the smart fabric comprises nylon, Kevlar, spandex, or polyester blends.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the hooded garment comprises the shear thickening fluid in only a part of the garment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0027] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the garment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a schematic drawing of the various planes and the mechanical stress that a head may encounter when an impact event occurs.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a schematic drawing of a human head and neck as well as typical measurements for various anatomical features.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a schematic drawing of the back of the garment with the various parts that provide protection identified.

[0031] FIG. 5 shows a schematic drawing of the front of the garment with the various parts that provide protection identified.

[0032] FIG. 6 shows a schematic drawing of a front view of the present invention with additional portions of advanced fabric.

[0033] FIG. 7 shows a schematic drawing of a side view of the present invention with additional portions of advanced fabric.

[0034] FIG. 8 shows a schematic drawing of a back view of the present invention with additional portions of advanced fabric.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The present invention relates to a compression garment that in one embodiment is hooded, that reduces the incidence of concussions and/or traumatic brain injuries for athletes, adventurists (i.e., competitive athletes and recreational athletes), military members, law enforcement officers, professionals working in dangerous environments, and others that may have rapid head movement involved with the activities that they perform. The present invention should not only be useful for athletes but should also be useful for those that have dangerous occupations wherein rapid head movement may occur. In an embodiment, the garment mitigates concussions/traumatic brain injuries by reducing both the linear and rotational accelerations and velocities of the head. In an embodiment, the principal focus is on lessening the consequences from rotational velocity/acceleration of the head. By reducing these accelerations and velocities, the present invention aims to and accomplishes the goal of lessening the pressure and shear stress on the brain but limiting and/or eliminating linear and/or rotational movements of the head, thereby reducing the consequential effects on the brain.

[0036] In an embodiment, the garment uses advanced fabrics (smart fabrics, advanced materials, or smart materials) that respond to mechanical stimuli to reduce the aforementioned head movements. In a variation, the advanced fabrics reduce an applied mechanical stress so as to reduce the head movements. In an embodiment, the advanced fabric permits nearly complete freedom of movement during normal activity accelerations and velocities. However, when a critical threshold of head acceleration or velocity is exceeded, the fabric changes to reduce head movement. In an embodiment, the fabric reduces the head movement by either absorbing and/or dissipating energy within the fabric system or transferring energy to another part of the body. This absorption or dissipation of energy allows the head to be effectively decelerated so as to reduce and/or eliminate any negative consequential movement of the brain.

[0037] In an embodiment, to absorb energy within the fabric system, the present invention uses a base fabric impregnated with a shear thickening fluid (STF). The base fabric includes but is not limited to any of nylon, spandex, cotton, wool, hemp, bamboo, silk, Kevlar (a synthetic heat resistant para-amid fiber with a plurality of inter-chain bonds), polyester, polyester blends, other natural or synthetic fabrics, high-performance polymer fabrics, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the STF used is a stable colloidal silica mixture. In an embodiment, the STF comprises silica nanoparticles suspended in a polyethylene glycol fluid. In a variation, the STFs of the present invention are non-Newtonian fluids whose viscosity increases when a specific shear stress level is applied to the fluid. The increased viscosity then has the effect of allowing the proper amount of deceleration or reduction of velocity of the head, thereby mitigating and/or reducing the consequential movement effects on the brain. If the shear stress level is less than the threshold, the viscosity does not change.

[0038] Accordingly, upon an impact event or an event that causes a high specific shear stress level, the movement of the head (as caused by direct impact to the head or differential movement of the head and body as caused by inertia from indirect impact) imposes a force (or impulse) on the hooded garment. The resultant force causes tensile or compressive stresses in the impregnated fabric. In an embodiment, the tensile or compressive stress may be dependent on the location within the hood where the movement of the head occurs. The stresses are imparted rapidly thereby leading to high strain rates on both the fabric threads and the shear thickening fluid. Strain rates above a critical level will result in increased viscosity or shear thickening of the non-Newtonian fluid. The increased viscosity then has the effect of allowing the proper amount of deceleration or reduction of the velocity of the head, thereby mitigating and/or reducing the consequential movement effects on the brain.

[0039] In an embodiment, the impregnated fabric lines the garment in locations such that it acts to both bolster and supplement the function of the neck muscles engaged during a potential injury-causing event. The product design relies on a viscoelastic fabric concept wherein the fabric stiffens in response to a tensile force applied at strain-rates exceeding a specified critical threshold. The tensile force is caused primarily by the normal contact, and secondarily by tangential frictional contact, of the fabric with the moving head. The protective fabric system is engaged once the head rotates at a rapid rate in any one of the three anatomical planes of motion [sagittal, frontal (coronal), or transverse (axial)].

[0040] The viscosity change of the STF occurs kinetically at a rate that allows the brain movement (relative to the movement of the skull) to be minimized. If the viscosity change is too slow or too fast, the garment will not be able to effectively minimize the movement of the brain and a concussive event or brain injury may result. However, with the correct viscosity kinetics, the brain and the skull will move in concert, thereby reducing and/or mitigating any injury that may happen to the brain.

[0041] Because the STF is associated directly with the fabric, the present invention does not suffer from problems that were present in some of the garments of the prior art including a bulkiness that can be attributed to added padding. In an embodiment, the garment of the present invention is able to fit under a uniform or a helmet (or under padding such as shoulder padding) for sporting or recreational events preventing the uniform and/or helmet from having to be larger than it should be. In an embodiment, the STF is not associated with any padding that may be a part of the garment. In a variation, the STF is part of the garment.

Differentiating Factors

[0042] Moreover, in an embodiment, the invention differs from existing solutions for protecting against TBI in multiple ways. In an embodiment, it primarily addresses a different problem than many current technologies. Traumatic brain injury can occur from impact to the head, the linear acceleration of the head, and/or the rotation of the head. The invention protects against the head's rotation in all three planes of movement whereas most current protective technologies (e.g., helmets) primarily address impact and linear accelerations. The invention differs from products on the market and the prior art because it has the capability of providing protection in six degrees of freedom. It is able to support the head so that linear and rotational accelerations and velocities are minimized. The invention acts as an adjunctive product that focuses on mitigating shear stresses on the brain. In an embodiment, it can sit under helmets enhancing the baseline protection. This level of added protection is provided by limiting cervical flexion, cervical extension, cervical rotation, and cervical side-bending with a hooded garment constructed from the advanced fabrics enumerated herein. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the present invention can be used across various sports such as football, hockey, lacrosse, skiing, snowboarding, and biking. In an embodiment, it can mitigate or prevent injury due to movements caused by both direct and indirect contact to the head.

[0043] The invention is further differentiated from the prior art because the present invention contemplates using advanced fabrics such as smart fabrics, advanced materials, or smart materials that more readily respond to mechanical stimuli. Smart textiles or fabrics are also known as electronic textiles (e-textiles) or may alternatively be called piezoelectric fabrics. They are textiles or fabrics that contain electronic components that are able to enhance the features of wearables, and/or other products. They are either made into a textile-based product or created with the intention of being integrated into a textile. In an embodiment, the smart fabrics of the present invention may comprise one or more of a battery, a lead, an electronic chip, and/or a sensor. In an embodiment, the electronics may be incorporated into the fabric through various methods, such as by using conductive fibres or multilayer 3D printing.

[0044] In an embodiment, the smart fabrics of the present invention respond to an applied mechanical stress in both tension and compression. In an embodiment, viscosities of most solvents or liquid molecules are known to increase as the temperature decreases. Thus, if the smart fabric detects shear stress or some other threshold of mechanical motion, it can transfer that detection to chemicals that can undergo an endothermic chemical reaction, causing the STF to cool to an extent that the viscosity of the STF is able to rapidly decrease. The rapid decrease in temperature increases the viscosity of the STF, thereby mitigating the rapid movement of the head and the brain (or at least causing the two to move in concert with each other). This concerted movement will reduce brain injuries.

[0045] In an embodiment, the smart fabrics of the present invention respond to an applied mechanical stress in both tension and compression. In an embodiment, if the smart fabric detects shear stress or some other threshold of mechanical motion, it can transfer that energy to an electrical signal that can pass through the conductive fibres of the smart fabric (i.e., the smart fabric can be a piezoelectric fabric). The electrical signal leads to a change that increases the fabric stiffness or enhances the fabric's dampening thereby mitigating the rapid movement of the head and the brain (or at least causing the two to move in concert with each other). Again, this concerted movement will reduce brain injuries.

[0046] In an embodiment, other mechanisms of action include a shear thickening behavior, which promotes a discontinuous viscosity above a critical shear rate (or strain rate), which may be a result of an order-disorder transition, a hydro-cluster mechanism, and contact forces mechanism. The fast transition from a liquid state to semi-solid or solid state may be due to the appearance of aggregates or hydro-clusters which drastically and significantly increase the viscosity of the fluid. Shear thickening behavior can occur in any of a plurality of suspensions including starch dispersions, silica slurries, silica-ethylene glycol mixes, CeO.sub.2-silica suspensions, silica microsphere and ionic liquids, multi-walled carbon nanotubes-polypropylene glycol mixes, silica-carbon nanotube, and silica-polypropylene glycol.

[0047] Thus, in an embodiment, the smart fabric and STF of the present invention is able to reduce the aforementioned head movements. In an embodiment, the advanced fabric permits nearly complete freedom of movement during normal activity accelerations and velocities. However, above a critical threshold of head acceleration or velocities, the fabric changes to reduce head movement. In an embodiment, the fabric change is triggered by an internal force that is applied by a strain-rate that exceeds a critical strain rate threshold. The fabric reduces the head movement by either absorbing and/or dissipating energy within the fabric system or transferring the energy to another part of the body. Thus, in an embodiment, the garment of the present invention is movement-initiated, impact-initiated or more technically accurate, impulse-initiated protection.

[0048] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. The garment 10 of the present invention has portions of the garment 10 that comprise the STF and parts that are free of the STF. The thicker lines shown in the hood 11, the neck 12, the shoulder 15, and the outer arm 14 comprise both the fabric and the STF (the advanced fabric). The portions that have the thinner lines such as the inner arm 16 and the torso 13 do not contain the STF. Of particular importance are the parts of the garment 10 that are most instrumental in reducing the movement of the brain. These parts that are of the utmost importance are the hood 11 (which is over the head) and the neck 12. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the smart material exists laterally in the garment 40/50 at least from both ends of the shoulders 41/51, along the neck muscles 42/52 (to support and supplement the function of the scalenes and sternocleidomastoid) and over the head 43/53. Along the sagittal plane, the smart material extends from at least the mid-back of the garment up the transversospinalis muscles 44, over the trapezius muscles 45, and over the head 46 to the front of the forehead 47/54. At the front of the hood, the smart material anchors on the chin 55 and extends downward along the sternohyoid muscles 56 to at least the area approximately located at the sternum 57. In an embodiment, this line of advanced fabric may connect to a line of advanced fabric around the waist area of the garment. The hood 11 acts as a cushioning barrier that decelerates head movement and the neck 12 when the viscosity increases, and it is able to prevent or mitigate a whiplash effect. Arrows 17 illustrate the various directions of movement that the garment 10 of the present invention is able to mitigate.

[0049] Movement of the head in the sagittal plane engages the smart fabric in the front of the hood below the chin and in the rear of the hood running in parallel with the direction of the spine. The smart material supplements the response of the anterior and posterior neck muscles. The movement of the head triggers a material response based on either compressive or tensile forces in the garment. The smart material on the side of the neck that corresponds to the direction of the head movement will be engaged through compressive forces. The smart material on side of the garment opposite to the head movement will be engaged via tensile forces.

[0050] Movement of the head in the frontal (coronal) plane engages the smart fabric that runs vertically on either side of the head (along the temples) and that which extends along the neck. The smart material response for head movement in the frontal (coronal) plane supplements the response of the lateral neck muscles. The smart material on the side of the neck that corresponds to the direction of the head movement will be engaged through compressive forces. The smart material on side of the garment opposite to the head movement will be engaged via tensile forces.

[0051] Finally, movement of the head in the transverse (axial) plane engages the smart fabric that runs from the chin, along the jawline on either side of the head, and down the back of the garment along the neck. The smart material response in the transverse (axial) plane, or rotational movement of the head around the neck, supplements the response of the longus capitis and longus coli muscles. The smart material on the side of the jaw that corresponds to the direction of the movement of the chin will be engaged through compressive forces. The smart material on side of the jaw opposite to the movement of the jaw will be engaged via tensile forces.

[0052] In another embodiment, the garment 10/40/50 of the present invention has additional portions of advanced fabric to bolster and supplement the function of muscles in and around the neck that are activated to reduce rotational head movement in six degrees of freedom. The details of this embodiment are shown in 600/70/80 (FIG. 6-8). Once again, the portions of the garment 600/70/80 that are the advanced fabric and comprise both the baseline fabric and the STF are identified with thicker lines. Specifically, the advanced fabric, as indicated by the thicker lines, are shown in (or originating in): [0053] 1) the hood 601/602/603/604/605/608/71 [0054] 2) the neck 604/606/607/608/71 [0055] 3) the shoulder 607 [0056] 4) the biceps 609 [0057] 5) the chest 606/608 [0058] 6) the back 604/71 [0059] 7) the waist 610
Again, the portions that have the thinner lines, such as the wrist, do not contain the STF. In an embodiment, the fabric of the biceps 609 and the waist 610 may not be advanced fabric, but instead a fabric or material that has increased stiffness and/or greater dampening than the rest of the garment.

[0060] In the current embodiment, the top of the hood comprises three main strips of advanced fabric (FIG. 6-FIG. 8). A circumferential band of advanced fabric 603 sits above the eyebrow and circles the head completely along the transverse (axial) plane. This band helps resist twisting and rotation in the transverse (axial) plane. It also acts as one anchor point for other strips of advanced fabric. A strip of advanced fabric 601 runs along the top of the head in the sagittal plane. It anchors to 603 at the front of the head and the back of the head. This strip helps to resist head movement or rotation in the sagittal plane (this is the classic whiplash movement). A strip of advanced fabric 602 runs along the top of the head in the frontal (coronal) plane. It anchors to 603 at a location near or above the ears. This strip helps to resist head movement or rotation in the frontal (coronal) plane.

[0061] At the bottom of the head (FIG. 6-FIG. 8), a circumferential strip of advanced fabric encircles the jaw 605. This fabric anchors at the chin, follows the jaw line, and continues around the upper portion of the neck to completely wrap the head in the transverse (axial) plane. This band helps resist twisting and rotation in the transverse (axial) plane. It also acts as an anchor point for vertical strips of advanced fabric extending from the top of the head into the body of the garment.

[0062] At the front of the body (FIG. 6-FIG. 7), the advanced fabric 606 initiates at the jawline, anchoring to the fabric of the chin 605. It extends down the chest, over the sternum, and anchors again to the fabric of the waist 610. This strip of advanced fabric helps to resist head movement or rotation in the sagittal plane (this is the classic whiplash movement). This supports, at a minimum, the sternocleidomastoid.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the advanced fabric also initiates at two locations along the side of the headin front of the ear 604 and behind the ear 608and wraps around to the back and front of the body, respectively. The advanced fabric located in the hood in front of the ear 604 anchors to 603, passes vertically to the jaw line connecting to 605, and then wraps around the neck (FIG. 7) passing over the trapezius and crossing the back to anchor at the waist at the opposite side of the torso 610. This strip of advanced fabric helps to resist head movement or rotation in the sagittal plane (this is the classic whiplash movement) as well as in the frontal (coronal) plane. This portion of the advanced fabric supports, at a minimum, the function of the trapezius, splenius capitis, splenius cervicis, and longissimus capitis.

[0064] The advanced fabric located in the hood behind the ear 608 anchors to 603, passes vertically to the jaw line connecting to 605, and then wraps forward around the neck (FIG. 7) passing over the sternum (FIG. 6) and crossing the abdomen to anchor at the waist at the opposite side of the torso 610. This strip of advanced fabric helps to resist head movement or rotation in the sagittal plane (this is the classic whiplash movement) as well as in the frontal (coronal) plane. This portion of the advanced fabric system supports, at a minimum, the function of the sternocleidomastoideo the infrahyoid muscles.

[0065] Finally, the advanced fabric located at the back of the hood 71 exists symmetrically on either side of the centerline (FIG. 7). On either side of the centerline, the advanced fabric 71 anchors to 603, passes vertically to the advanced fabric in the upper neck 605, and then extends vertically down to the advanced fabric at the waist 610. around the neck (FIG. 7) passing over the trapezius and crossing the back to connect at the waist at the opposite side of the torso 610 (FIG. 8). In an embodiment, the advanced fabric of 610 may end at the chest level instead of at the waist. This portion of the advanced fabric system supports, at a minimum, the transversospinalis, trapezius, and splenius muscle groups.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the smart material exists along the frontal (coronal) plane 600/70/80. It originates with a connection to the advanced fabric of the jaw and extends down the neck 607, along the top of the shoulders and outer arm connecting at the advanced fabric located in the biceps 609. In an embodiment, the advanced fabric of 609 exists at the end of the shoulder line and wraps under the armpit (instead of along the biceps). Again, the advanced fabric of hood 602 helps to resist head movement or rotation in the frontal (coronal) plane and supports the function of the aforementioned portions of advanced fabric. Generally, these portions of advanced fabric are used to support and supplement the function of the scalenes and sternocleidomastoids.

[0067] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a human head in the various planes and the movement that may occur when it is subjected to an impact event that leads to mechanical stress. The head and planes combination 20 comprises a sagittal plane 21, a frontal (coronal) plane 22, and a transverse (axial) plane 23. The sagittal plane 21 is traversed in front to back (and back to front) movement. The frontal (coronal) plane 22 is traversed when side-to-side (i.e., frontal (coronal)) movement occurs. Finally, head movement in the transverse (axial) plane is defined by the head's rotation about the spine (i.e., turning the head from left to right). In one embodiment, the protective hooded garment of the present invention is specially designed to mitigate rotational movement.

[0068] FIG. 3 shows a schematic (not drawn to scale) of a head of a human male who would typically wear the hooded garment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows typical distances of the average male adult who would wear the hooded garment of the present invention. The head 30 and the neck 31 have a circumference of the head 32 that is typically on the order of 22.5 inches (57 cm) and a length of the head 37 that is typically on the order of 7.8 inches (19.7 cm), a circumference of the neck 35 that is typically on the order of 15.2 inches (38.7 cm) and a length of the neck 34 that is typically on the order of 4-5 inches (10.2-12.7 cm). The distance between the menton (the lowest point in the median plane of the chin) and the top of the head 36 is typically on the order of 9.1 inches (23.2 cm). The distance between the menton and the crinion (point where the hairline meets the midpoint of the forehead) 33 is typically on the order of 7.5 inches (19.1 cm).

[0069] A typical hooded garment, as shown in FIG. 1, will be made with a combination of regular compression-style material and a smart fabric made from a compression material impregnated with a shear-thickening fluid (STF). In an embodiment, the hooded garment will be completely constructed with the regular compression-style material. The smart fabric will then be stitched into the hooded garment along the lines indicated in FIG. 1. In an example embodiment, the regular compression-style material composition will be 86% Polyester and 14% Spandex with a weight of 350 grams per square meter (gsm). In an embodiment, the smart fabric comprises the same compression-style material impregnated with STF Technologies, Inc.'s STF SG product. In another embodiment, the smart fabric comprises a compression-style material with a composition of 75% Nylon, 22% Kevlar, and 3% Spandex impregnated with shear-thickening fluid.

[0070] In this work, impregnation refers to the soaking and insertion of the shear thickening fluid into the regular compression fabric to create a smart fabric. The impregnation process occurs in a series of steps. In an example embodiment, the STF SG product is first diluted with 100% ethanol (1:1 ratio of STF SG:ethanol) and mixed using a magnetic stirrer creating a homogeneous mixture, or a solution. The solution is then poured into large polycarbonate trays. A yard of compression-style fabric is laid flat in the tray (without folding) and submersed for five (5) minutes. The fabric is then flipped over and immersed for an additional five (5) minutes. Following the soaking process, the fabric is removed from the polycarbonate plates and then placed between two identical steel plates. The fabric is compressed with a uniform load of 5 kgf/cm.sup.2 for one (1) minute. The fabric is then removed from the steel plates and placed in an oven to dry for 30 minutes at 65 C.

[0071] A White Heavy Compression Double Knit with Max-Dri Wicking and Micro Air Tech fabric was constructed using the following composition: [0072] 86% Polyester [0073] 14% Spandex
With a thickness that was 350 gsm (grams per square meter)

[0074] The fabric was processed with two controls and two examples with different Shear Thickening Fluid (STF)-fabric compositions: [0075] Virgin fabric (no STF) [0076] Fabric coated with sealant [0077] Impregnated fabric with 3:1 ethanol:STF ratio and sealant [0078] Impregnated fabric with 1:1 ethanol:STF ratio and sealant [0079] 1) Cut twelve (12) sheets of fabric at 120 mm200 mm (fabric should be cut such that it is stiffer in the 120 mm direction). [0080] 2) Measure and record the thicknesses of each fabric sheet according to ASTM D1777-96 (2019) or the international equivalent. Weigh each fabric sheet in grams. [0081] 3) Designate [0082] a) Three (3) sheets as virgin fabric [0083] b) Three (3) sheets for fabric with sealant coating [0084] c) Three (3) sheets for impregnation with 3:1 ethanol:STF ratio and sealant [0085] d) Three (3) sheets for impregnation with 1:1 ethanol:STF ratio and sealant [0086] 4) Fabric for Sealant Coating ONLY [0087] a) Apply sealant (Scotchgard) to three (3) fabric strips (120 mm200 mm) in accordance with manufacturer instructions [0088] b) Weight each fabric strip in grams [0089] 5) Fabric for Impregnation [0090] a) Dilute STF to create two ethanol:STF solutions (the ethanol should be >95% pure and non-denatured): [0091] i) 3:1 volume ratio ethanol:STF [0092] ii) 1:1 volume ratio ethanol:STF [0093] Repeat the following process for three (3) sheets of 120 mm200 mm fabric for the 3:1 volume ratio STF solution and three (3) sheets of fabric 120 mm200 mm fabric for the 1:1 volume ratio STF solutions). Each sheet should be processed individually. [0094] b) Weigh STF solution in grams [0095] c) Completely immerse fabric material strip (120 mm200 mm) in solution for 5 minutes [0096] d) Compress fabric with 5 kgf/cm.sup.2 (98.0665 Pa) (preferably in pinch rollers) to remove excess STF solution from fabric [0097] e) Retain excess STF solution and weigh remaining STF solution (in grams) [0098] f) Calculate g/m2 of fabric and record fluid application concentrationfluid to material as g/m2 [0099] g) Immediately dry the soaked fabric at 65 C. for 30 minutes. [0100] h) Apply sealant (SCOTCHGARD, 3M, St. Paul, Minnesota) to impregnated and dried fabric strip in accordance with manufacturer instructions [0101] i) Weigh each fabric strip in grams

VI. Impulse Testing

[0102] Repeat the same test procedure for each of the fabric strips. Test in the following order: [0103] 1. Virgin fabric (no STF) [0104] 2. Fabric coated with sealant [0105] 3. Impregnated fabric with 3:1 ethanol:STF ratio and sealant [0106] 4. Impregnated fabric with 1:1 ethanol:STF ratio and sealant

A. Impulse Testing Procedure:

[0107] 1) Fold the fabric sample at 20 mm intervals along the 200 mm length to create a sample with nominal dimensions of 20 mm120 mm [0108] 2) Measure actual dimensions of sample [0109] 3) Place sample in Universal Testing Machine (MTS Tabletop 858 with 10 GPM valve and a [0110] 3.3 kip actuator) for dynamic testing (120 mm length should be the stiff direction of the sample and should be parallel to the direction of loading) [0111] 4) Measure amount of fabric between grips of machine [0112] 5) Set minimum necessary pre-tension (record pre-tension force) [0113] 6) Expose the fabric to a half-sine impulse [0114] a) Force amplitude=540 N [0115] b) Frequency=45 Hz (period is 22.22 ms, half period is 11.11 ms) [0116] 7) PID Sets (approximate) [0117] a) P Gain: 165.52 [0118] b) I Gain: 8.867 [0119] c) D Gain: 0.0000 [0120] 8) Record displacement of cross-head [0121] 9) Record all test data (Time vs. Actuator Command (N), Time vs. Actuator Force (N), Actuator head displacement)

[0122] In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a hooded garment that comprises a compression fabric and a smart fabric which may incorporate a shear thickening fluid. In a variation, the garment (which may or may not be hooded) is made of a compression fabric and a smart fabric. In an embodiment, the smart fabric is made from a regular fabric impregnated with shear thickening fluid. In a variation, the regular fabric in the smart fabric comprises nylon, spandex, cotton, wool, hemp, bamboo, silk, Kevlar, polyester, polyester blends, high-performance polymer fabrics, other natural or synthetic fabrics, or combinations thereof. In a variation, the shear thickening fluid comprises a colloidal silica mixture. In a variation, the colloidal silica mixture comprises silica nanoparticles suspended in a polyethylene glycol fluid. In a variation, the smart fabric comprises nylon, spandex, or polyester blends.

[0123] In an embodiment, the smart fabric further comprises one or more electrical components selected from the group consisting of a battery, a led, an electronic chip, and a sensor. In a variation, the hooded garment comprises the shear thickening fluid in only a part of the garment. In a variation, the part of the garment comprises one or more of a hood, a shoulder, an inner arm or a neck.

[0124] In a variation, the shear thickening fluid comprises one or more of starch dispersions, silica slurries, silica-ethylene glycol mixes, CeO.sub.2-silica suspensions, silica microsphere and ionic liquids, multi-walled carbon nanotubes-polypropylene glycol mixes, silica-carbon nanotube, silica-polypropylene glycol, or combinations thereof. In a variation, the shear thickening fluid is not in padding. In a variation, the shear thickening fluid is a silica nanoparticles suspended in a polyethylene glycol fluid and the smart fabric comprises nylon, spandex, or polyester blends.

[0125] In an embodiment, the hooded garment comprises the shear thickening fluid present only in one or more of the hood, the neck, and the shoulder. In a variation, the shear thickening fluid is not present in the torso of the hooded garment.

[0126] In an embodiment, the present invention relates to methods. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of reducing mechanical shear stress in a person that undergoes an impact event, the method comprising the person wearing a hooded garment, the hooded garment comprising a smart fabric and a shear thickening fluid. In a variation, the mechanical shear stress is a shear stress on the head.

[0127] In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of reducing or mitigating the severity of a concussion or traumatic brain injury in a human, the method comprising the human wearing a hooded garment, the hooded garment comprising a smart fabric and a shear thickening fluid.

[0128] In a variation of the method, the reducing or mitigating the severity of the concussion/traumatic brain injury is a result of reducing one or more of sagittal movement, frontal (coronal) movement, or transverse (axial) movement. In a variation, the shear thickening fluid comprise silica nanoparticles suspended in a polyethylene glycol fluid. In a variation, the smart fabric comprises nylon, spandex, or polyester blends. In a variation, the hooded garment comprises the shear thickening fluid in only a part of the garment.

[0129] All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes. It should be understood and it is contemplated and within the scope of the present invention that any feature that is enumerated above can be combined with any other feature that is enumerated above as long as those features are not incompatible. Whenever ranges are mentioned, any real number that fits within the range of that range is contemplated as an endpoint to generate subranges. In any event, the invention is defined by the below claims.