Strain-rate sensitivity of the lateral collateral ligament of the knee.

The material properties of ligaments are not well characterized at rates of deformation that occur during high-speed injuries. The aim of this study was to measure the material properties of lateral collateral ligament of the porcine stifle joint in a uniaxial tension model through strain rates in the range from 0.01 to 100/s.

The comparative behaviour of two combat boots under impact.

Background: Improvised explosive devices have become the characteristic weapon of conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. While little can be done to mitigate against the effects of blast in free-field explosions, scaled blast simulations have shown that the combat boot can attenuate the effects on the vehicle occupants of anti-vehicular mine blasts. Although the combat boot offers some protection to the lower limb, its behaviour at the energies seen in anti-vehicular mine blast has not been documented previously.