University of Strathclyde and Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre KTP 24_25 R1

A rubber block that bends but does not break could save lives when the ground starts shaking. This project develops anti-seismic elastomeric devices—specialised rubber-like components—that absorb and dissipate the energy from earthquakes. The problem is that conventional building materials, such as masonry infill walls, often crack or collapse during seismic events, turning into deadly debris. Current vibration-control devices exist, but they can be expensive, bulky, or poorly suited to the specific needs of non-structural elements. The researchers aim to create innovative, cost-effective elastomeric products that protect both the main structure and its vulnerable infill components. If successful, the devices could be manufactured and sold by a public-funded research centre that is transitioning into a self-sufficient, market-focused SME. The immediate impact would be on construction practices in earthquake-prone regions worldwide: buildings could remain functional after a quake, reducing repair costs, business downtime, and human casualties. The technology targets a quiet but critical part of infrastructure—the secondary elements that keep a building safe and usable—rather than the steel frame alone. This is applied engineering with a clear commercial and humanitarian goal, not fundamental science.