Dissipative structures and related methods

A dissipative structure, comprising:

• a proximal panel configured to receive a force;
• a distal panel;
• and
• a cell structure disposed between the proximal panel and the distal panel, the cell structure comprising a plurality of interconnected cells formed by a plurality of wall elements, each wall element of the plurality of wall elements comprising a mesh formed by a plurality of overlapping fibers having a plurality of apertures formed therebetween, the plurality of apertures forming a plurality of passageways between the plurality of interconnected cells, wherein the plurality of interconnected cells comprises:
• a first plurality of interconnected cells having a deformable material disposed therein and positioned proximate the proximal panel;
• and
• a second plurality of interconnected cells being substantially free of the deformable material and positioned proximate the distal panel, wherein the plurality of passageways formed between the plurality of interconnected cells is configured to at least partially transfer the deformable material from the first plurality of interconnected cells to at least some of the second plurality of interconnected cells in a direction toward the distal panel in response to the force received by the proximal panel.

A method of dissipating a force, comprising:

• providing a dissipative structure, comprising:
• providing at least one panel configured to receive a force;
• providing a cell structure disposed adjacent to the at least one panel, the cell structure comprising a plurality of interconnected cells, each of the plurality of interconnected cells being formed by a plurality of walls having a plurality of apertures formed therein, the plurality of apertures interconnecting the plurality of interconnected cells;
• and
• providing at least one hydrogel disposed within, a first plurality of interconnected cells of the plurality of interconnected cells that is positioned proximate to the at least one panel, wherein a second plurality of interconnected cells of the plurality of interconnected cells positioned relatively farther away from the at least one panel than the first plurality of interconnected cells is substantially free of the at least one hydrogel, and wherein the apertures of each of the first plurality of interconnected cells are configured to at least partially transfer the at least one hydrogel disposed therein to the second plurality of interconnected cells in response to the force received by the at least one panel;
• receiving a force with the at least one panel;
• and
• forcing at least a portion of the at least one hydrogel in a direction transverse to an interface between the at least one panel and the cell structure through the plurality of apertures formed in the plurality of walls of the cell structure.