A professor has invented a simple, low-cost device that uses friction between steel balls and rods to protect buildings from earthquakes. The system needs no electricity and can be added to existing structures.
Prof. Moussa Leblouba, a civil engineering professor at the University of Sharjah, has patented a new device that protects buildings, bridges, and equipment from earthquakes and strong winds. The invention was granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in December 2025. Lab tests show it absorbs about 14 percent of vibration energy, making it a promising passive safety system.
Prof. Moussa Leblouba from the University of Sharjah’s College of Engineering developed the device. His research focuses on structural dynamics and seismic protection. The patent represents a major step toward creating affordable, reliable systems that can safeguard structures without relying on external power.
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Traditional earthquake protection systems have serious flaws. Fluid-based dampers can leak. Metal devices often bend permanently and need full replacement after one major event. Many require electricity, which frequently fails during disasters. These options are also expensive, putting them out of reach for many communities in earthquake-prone regions .
The device looks simple but works effectively. It consists of a hollow cylinder packed with solid steel balls. A central shaft runs through the cylinder, fitted with short rods that stick out like tree branches. When an earthquake shakes a building, the shaft moves back and forth. The rods push through the densely packed balls, and the friction between them absorbs and dissipates the vibration energy. No power is needed—it runs on pure physics.
The system offers several practical advantages. It can be installed in new buildings or retrofitted into older ones without major redesign. Parts are ordinary, affordable, and can be assembled on-site without special skills. If one component gets damaged, it can be replaced individually instead of discarding the whole device. After shaking stops, the device returns to its original position, ready for the next event.
The device is still in the research phase. Lab tests have shown consistent performance at small displacements of 1 to 5 millimeters, achieving an average effective stiffness of about 5 kilonewtons per millimeter. The next step involves scaling it up for larger structures and testing under realistic earthquake conditions using shake tables. The team will also experiment with different rod arrangements and ball sizes to optimize performance.
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This invention could make earthquake protection accessible to low-income countries and developing regions with high seismic risk. Because it is simple, affordable, and requires no power, it offers a practical solution where expensive high-tech systems are not feasible. Prof. Leblouba believes the technology could also protect vehicles, aircraft, ships, and sensitive scientific or military equipment from damaging vibrations.
