The future of earthquake-proofing might just be a simple cylinder filled with steel balls. 

In December 2025, the US Patent and Trademark Office granted a patent for an energy-dissipation device that looks less like a high-tech stabiliser and more like a mechanical tree. 

Developed by Professor Moussa Leblouba at the University of Sharjah in the UAE, the device uses the simple power of friction to keep structures standing. 

In laboratory trials, the device successfully absorbed about 14% of the vibration energy.  

Designed to protect infrastructure from earthquakes, wind, and industrial vibrations, the invention offers a low-cost, reliable alternative to other damping systems.

“Earthquakes, strong winds, and even everyday vibrations from trains or machinery can cause serious damage to buildings, bridges, and sensitive equipment,” said Prof Leblouba, a professor of civil engineering.

“Traditional solutions to this problem, such as fluid-based dampers or deformable metal devices, tend to be expensive, prone to leakage or permanent deformation, and often require complete replacement after a single major event,” added Prof Leblouba. 

Steel-ball tree

The new invention includes simple parts, such as a hollow cylinder packed with solid steel balls and a central shaft lined with radial, branch-like rods. 

As a purely passive system, it requires no electricity to function. Rather, it uses basic physics to dissipate energy through the friction generated as the rods move through the dense ball bearings. 

This motion generates intense friction, which further helps to damp vibrations before they damage the building.

Interestingly, the mechanical design ensures the device remains operational during the power outages that typically accompany major earthquakes or structural disasters.

“Because it requires zero electrical power, it cannot be rendered inoperative by a power outage during the very disaster it’s designed to withstand. Every component is individually removable and replaceable, so if one part is damaged, you don’t need to discard the whole device,” said Prof Leblouba. 

Also, the device parts are affordable and straightforward. Therefore, it can be assembled on-site without specialised technical expertise.

Perhaps its most important practical edge is its ability to be retrofitted into existing structures. The invention could be a low-cost, high-impact safety upgrade for developing nations where expensive, ground-up seismic engineering is often out of reach. 

Affordable earthquake protection

And there’s more to it. Standard seismic protection is often a one-and-done deal. Once a metal damper deforms to save a building, the parts must be replaced.  

The invention is engineered to recover its original shape and position once the shaking stops. The reset ability ensures continuous protection without the need for immediate, costly replacements following a significant event.

While initially conceived for seismic-resistant construction, this technology can be used for a wide range of real-world applications. 

In the civil sector, it may protect buildings, bridges, and communications towers from wind and tremors. 

The device could also be used to damp vibrations in aerospace vehicles, ships, and aircraft, and to provide a shield for sensitive military hardware and scientific instruments that are vulnerable to sudden shock. 

Building on early success, Prof Leblouba is moving forward from laboratory experiments to large-scale seismic testing. 

To date, the device has met a key performance benchmark, with an average effective stiffness of 5kN/mm over small displacements. 

The next phase will involve rigorous shake-table tests, where scaled models of the subject will be subjected to simulated disasters.