Disclosed herein is a helmet structure for reducing kinetic energy transmission. The helmet has a first layer configured as an outside layer that serves as first contact with a source of kinetic energy and a second layer having a substance that changes state to transfer kinetic energy laterally with respect to the skull. The substance has a threshold shear yield point wherein upon contact with kinetic energy, if the threshold shear yield point of the second layer is met, the layer will at least partially liquefy to yield a liquid and flow to internal or external chambers. In one embodiment, the helmet structure is reset after contact with kinetic energy. The substance in the helmet changes state such that the substance returns to its original state prior to contact with kinetic energy and the substance returns to its original location within the helmet structure.