High-speed sports are risky and athletes are often put in scenarios that could cause them harm and protective clothing that can protect them is often too restrictive or bulky. Thanks to new materials such as U.K.-based d30 and Dow Corning’s Active Protection System, athletes can wear clothing that are flexible and move with the body and upon impact will harden immediately to protect them. Researchers at the University of Delaware have embedded materials with nanoparticles that will instantaneously become rigid when their kinetic energy threshold is breached.
This new material is an excellent tool for athletes who could seriously hurt themselves if they were to fall. It can also be useful for people in law enforcement or the military or anyone who can be subject to unexpected accidents while on the job. As an added bonus many of these materials are washable.
So far the material has been put to use for protective gear to be used by law enforcement agents, downhill skiers, dirt bike racers. It has also been used on soccer balls, shorts for equestrians and even ballet shoes.
