When it comes to energy, there are many different types. Physics teachers offer lessons on kinetic and potential energy, their transformations, and how a cushion of air seems to make smooth objects weightless.

A South Korean company is applying similar concepts to road safety, namely pivoting barrels in guardrails designed to catch cars gently – certainly better than the grey steel plank. The goal is to convert collision energy into rotational energy and improve the system for stopping vehicles from exiting the roadway.

But these balustrades also resemble a roller conveyor, and for those navigating racetracks – especially drivers who don’t care about the paintwork – the railings could offer some centrifugal transfer in the curve... (We at Plasteurope.com of course neither recommend nor condone such driving. This of course does not mean we haven't considered testing such a hypothesis.)