Energy dissipative cushioning elements

1. An apparatus comprising:

a cushioning element, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members configured to deform in response to a collision or impact, including the at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members being configured to substantially inelastically deform after reaching an elastic limit during a deformation; wherein the apparatus further comprises a heat capacity material in contact with at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members to increase a work capacity of the at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members is configured to substantially inelastically stretch after reaching an elastic limit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members comprises:

one or more polyaramid fibers.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one or more of the tension-bearing members comprises:

at least one of a graphitic fiber, a carbon fiber, and/or a natural fiber.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members comprises:

at least one of a poly-benzobisoxazole fiber, and/or a synthetic fiber.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members lies on a surface of the cushioning element.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members lies within an interior portion of the cushioning element.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least some of the tension-bearing members have different tension properties than other tension-bearing members.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises:

an element controller configured to control the cushioning element; and

an event detector coupled to the element controller configured to detect an event.

10. A method comprising:

Constructing a cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members being configured to stretch during a collision, including being configured to stretch beyond an elastic limit, to dissipate at least some of a kinetic energy associated with the collision;

wherein constructing the cushioning element including the one or more tension-bearing members includes associating a heat capacity material with at least a portion of at least one of the tension-bearing members, the heat capacity material being adapted to use a phase change to increase a capacity to have work done on the at least one of the tension bearing members.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the constructing a cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members being configured to stretch during a collision, including being configured to stretch beyond an elastic limit, to dissipate at least some of a kinetic energy associated with the collision comprises:

constructing a cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, the cushioning element being configured to be actuated in response to an event, at least one of the one or more tension-bearing members being configured to stretch beyond an elastic limit during a collision to convert at least some of a kinetic energy associated with the collision to thermal energy to provide cushioning support for an object.