Earlier this year, Professor Andy Alderson, who works in Sheffield Hallam's Materials and Engineering Research Institute, received funding from the Hallam Fund to help support a research start up project which looked at the development of metamaterial which reduces noise and vibrations when pulled or pushed together. The project aims to develop scalable use to assist in emergencies such as the safe transportation of infants in ambulances, pop up earthquake shelters or safety helmets for sports players.

Professor Alderson is now extending his research findings and working with the Harbin Institute of Technology in China to further develop the material into a scaled down 3D version. He is also building local and global networks to ensure the metamaterial can be applied in ambulances to reduce vibrations and sound when babies are moved.

Professor Alderson said: 'We are in the initial stages of leading a multi-partner bid to EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) to develop the fundamental science underpinning the application to critical care scenarios.'

As a result of the Hallam Fund grant, the project has made significant progress and is successfully gaining momentum within the academic community at a local and global level. Professor Alderson has shared his findings at a number of events across the UK and overseas including at the Auxetics 2017 International Conference in Crete, and seminars at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Harbin Institute of Technology, and at the European Workshop on Acoustic & Mechanical Metamaterials at Imperial College.

If you would like to know more about how the Hallam Fund is contributing to impactful research, please click here.