Materials — Muzzling hearing loss

A patented Oak Ridge National Laboratory graphite foam that is cutting thousands of dollars a year from arena lighting costs (http://tntoday.utk.edu/2014/02/24/thompsonboling-arena-world-cuttingedge-lighting/) could also help preserve U.S. soldiers’ hearing. The foam, developed by a team led by James Klett of ORNL’s Materials Science and Technology Division, is part of a new muzzle suppression system for military weapons. The technology could reduce medical expenses for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and improve the quality of life for soldiers and veterans.