Composite energy absorber

A composite modular energy absorbing assembly comprising:

• a pair of gamma structures, at least one of the pair having:
• a base;
• and
• a plurality of recesses defined within the base, at least some of the plurality of recesses having
• at least one wall extending from the base,
• wherein at least some of the plurality of recesses are oriented such that their walls are inclined at an angle alpha to the major incident component of the impacting force, where alpha lies between 0 and 45 degrees, so that energy absorption is provided primarily by at least partial collapse of the at least one wall primarily in a non-pneumatic manner.

A composite modular energy absorbing assembly comprising:

• a plurality of energy absorbing structures in which at least portions of adjacent structures are in operative engagement, each energy absorbing structure comprising a gamma structure, at least some of the structures having:
• a base;
• and
• a plurality of recesses extending from the base, at least some of the plurality of recesses having
• a wall extending from the base,
• wherein at least some of the plurality of recesses are oriented such that their walls are inclined at an angle alpha to a major incident component of an impacting force, where alpha lies between 0 and 45 degrees, so that energy absorption is provided primarily by at least partial collapse of the at least one wall primarily in a non-pneumatic manner.