Impact and energy absorption with sticky crumpled matter

Sticky crumpled matter is a promising material system for the creation of protective layers, such as those used in helmets, body armor, and vehicles. They are lightweight, stiff, and can store significant energy through interfacial phenomena such as adhesion. In this study, we investigate the energy absorption capabilities of sticky crumpled matter using a simple ball drop experiment with high-speed photography and force measurement. We find that the interplay of sheet adhesion, sheet thickness, and sheet modulus plays a key role in the energy absorption process. Our results suggest that sticky crumpled matter can be a viable alternative to current protective structures and materials and have the potential to be used in a wide range of applications.