GYROSCOPE FOR USE IN PROSTHESES FOR STANDING AND WALKING

Not Available The objective of this proposed effort is to develop cost-effective fabrication technology for ultra-light steel structures using metal foam technology. Ultra-light metals, materials with densities less than 50 % that of bulk alloys offer significant structural advantages in terms of compressive strength- and stiffness-to-weight ratios for both military and commercial structures. Such materials have also been found to offer excellent crash protection, flame retardation, vibration damping and blast protection. UltraClad Corporation intends to build upon steel metal foam technology developed at Fraunhofer Institute which have been shown to offer promise in meeting program objectives. In Phase I concepts for low cost fabrication/manufacturing like Hot isostatic pressing (HIP), P/M techniques, and foaming additions such as strontium carbonate and carbon will be evaluated as candidate technologies. In Phase II a material mechanical and physical property data base sufficient for engineering design studies will be developed, and methods identified in Phase I for joining ultra-light steel materials and fabricating engineering structures will be demonstrated.