  Granular materials demonstrate a strongly nonlinear behavior influencing the
wave propagation in the medium. We report the first experimental observation of
impulse energy confinement and the resultant disintegration of shock and
solitary waves. The medium consists of alternating ensambles of high-modulus vs
orders of magnitude lower modulus chains of different masses. The trapped
energy is contained within the "softer" portions of the composite chain and is
slowly released in the form of weak, separated pulses over an extended period
of time. This effect is enhanced by using a specific group assembly and
superimposed force.
