Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a significant public health concern, affecting tens of millions of people worldwide annually, and causing long-term issues for those impacted. The PANTHER Program, an interdisciplinary research hub based at the University of Wisconsin, aims to tackle this critical issue by bringing together experts from academia, industry, and government agencies to understand the underlying causes of TBI and how we can better protect against it.
The strength of PANTHER lies in its collaborative approach. Researchers from diverse fields—physics, engineering, neuroscience, and materials science—work together to tackle the questions surrounding TBI from their distinct expertise. This synergy enables rapid translation of scientific discoveries into practical solutions. Team Wendy is proud that our engineers were among the first to be involved in the group and continue to be key contributors to its findings.
The first pillar of the PANTHER Program involves defining neural impact tolerances. Researchers study the effects of traumatic forces on brain tissue, aiming to understand the thresholds beyond which injuries occur. By unraveling the intricacies of brain trauma, they pave the way for targeted prevention strategies.
To detect and monitor TBIs, the PANTHER Program focuses on developing next-generation impact sensors. These sensors provide real-time data on head and brain motion during impacts. By combining engineering expertise with neuroscience insights, the team aims to create reliable and sensitive devices for early TBI detection.
Characterizing the protective capacity of advanced materials is another critical aspect of the program. Researchers explore innovative materials (for both the helmet shell and the foam inside the helmet) that can mitigate the effects of impacts on the brain. From helmet design to novel protective gear, their work contributes to enhancing safety for military and law enforcement personnel and civilians.
PANTHER leverages high-fidelity human head simulations to predict brain injuries. By modeling complex interactions within the brain, researchers gain insights into injury mechanisms. These simulations guide the development of effective preventive measures.
The culmination of the PANTHER Program is to apply foundational research in brain injury, materials research, kinematic measurement, and predictive simulation to the development of a new helmet that surpasses all others. Since 2017, Team Wendy engineers have lent their expertise towards advancing this mission.
Team Wendy is uniquely placed to tackle the advancement of new testing methods and developing more protective helmets as the company not only performs an extensive amount of research and development but also formulates and manufactures the foams used in their own highly protective helmets. With colleagues from universities across the US, Team Wendy engineers are helping to progress not only the testing of direct, linear impacts but of much less understood rotational impacts that can cause significant damage. These testing enhancements can lead to a better understanding of different types of head impacts and how the brain reacts to them. Understanding the underlying causes of TBI can guide us towards manufacturing better helmets that can mitigate this devastating injury.
With new testing techniques using simulations and high-tech testing equipment, Team Wendy and PANTHER participants hope that their work will lead to better materials which will in turn lead to more protective helmets. Team Wendy is honored to be a part of the important research that will lead to better understanding of TBIs and ultimately to saving lives. PANTHER Program participants