The war in Iraq is serving to highlight traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and now the U.S. Army awarded Simbex, of Lebanon, NH, a million-dollar contract to develop sensor-studded helmets for combat soldiers. They could reach our soldiers as early as December.

They are designed to "measure the shock from explosive devices." The most common cause of TBI is improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which emit shock waves–waves of air pressure–that travel at around 1,000 feet per second, or close to the speed of sound. While such blasts can cause devastating wounds, and even death, they can also rattle the brain’s soft tissue, causing invisible, permanent damage.

Simbex has equipped the combat helmets with sensors that measure the magnitude, location, and direction of blasts and the pressure changes that occur because of the resulting shock wave.

"There are lots of different types of injuries that can be caused by blast events," says Jeff Chu, the vice president of engineering at Simbex, "and we are only measuring two of the parameters that are most associated with shock waves and blast events: the acceleration of the body and pressure."

Benchmark Helmets is offering Bluetooth headsets and helmets for the scooter and motorcycle set. The Camos lineup supports A2DP / hands-free functions, are waterproof, have directional microphones with noise canceling technology, stereo speakers, and 10-hours of talk time (150-hours in standby). The BHS-500 will cost $149, and the $199 BHS-600 has the ability to form a wireless intercom system with another BHS-600.

I’ve seen some pretty cool things in my life, but this one seems to be wanting top spot. It is a helmet fashioned to look like PacMan. It doesn’t boast bluetooth capability, nor does it have secret compartments for your ipod or cellphone, it’s just plain cool. Supplies are limited though, so fork over the $29.95 quick!

With a look to rival the fiercest of ice hockey goalies’ helmets, 22-year-old Luke Pannell, a Brunel University industrial design student, created a biking helmet that he’s dubbed "Breathe Air." Its uniqueness is a filtering "shield" over the mouth and nose, which cuts particles and dust, then expels them through a plastic tube when the user exhales.