Overview
- Developed at the University of Sharjah by Professor Moussa Leblouba, the device secured a U.S. patent in December 2025.
- The damper is a hollow steel cylinder packed with solid steel spheres around a central shaft with radial rods that generate friction as they move.
- Operation relies solely on friction, so it requires no sensors or power and remains functional during outages, with the mechanism re-centering after events.
- Laboratory tests reported dissipation of about 14% of vibrational energy, but researchers say large-scale prototypes and complex seismic simulations are needed before deployment.
- Its modular build allows component-level replacement and retrofitting of existing buildings and bridges, with potential use on telecom towers, industrial sites and sensitive equipment.