Augmentation by foam materials of lung injury produced by blast waves. The role of stress waves in thoracic visceral injury at high rates of energy transfer.

Materials have been applied to the thoracic wall of anesthetised experimental animals exposed to blast overpressure to investigate the coupling of direct stress waves into the thorax and the relative contribution of compressive stress waves and gross thoracic compression to lung injury. The ultimate purpose of the work is to develop effective personal protection to servicemen exposed to blast overpressure.