reversibly deployable energy absorbing assemblies for impact management generally include a translatable first element , a rigid support structure and a second element having one end fixedly attached to the rigid support structure and an other end fixedly attached to the translatable first element . the second elements are adapted to plastically deform along a predefined buckling path . the predefined buckling path may be uni - modal or multi - modal depending on the desired application and / or impact conditions . also disclosed herein are methods for operating the energy absorbing assemblies .