AlphaGalileo---
A NEW material which is set to revolutionise the way
we protect our bodies from impact and injury is being
launched by specialist technology company d3o Lab.
d3o Lab were granted a government SMART award in 2001
and following a significant breakthrough they secured
a second award in 2003 for the development which is
now nearing commercialisation.
Since 2000 Richard Palmer and Dr. Phil Green have been
working out of the University of Hertfordshire's research
and development centre, and a design studio in London
on this exciting new technology.
The inspiration for d3o (dee-three-oh) first came when
materials scientist Dr Phil Green found himself sitting
off the piste in the Alps in 1999, nursing a bruised
elbow after a snowboarding accident.
"It occurred to me that all the available impact
protection systems work on a macro scale, and because
of this they are restrictive, uncomfortable and actually
pretty ineffective. I knew if I could get a system to
work at a molecular level we could have an amazing product.
Five years of research later we do - d3o," said
Phil, who is Technical Director at d3o Lab.
d3o, is a unique material made of INTELLIGENT MOLECULES.
They flow with you when you move but on shock lock together
to protect you, returning to their original state when
the impact is over.
Dr Green explains, "The molecules simply flow past
each other at low rates of movement when you are moving
your body naturally, but when they are subject to an
impact that requires the molecules to move very quickly
they instantaneously lock together by linking with each
other to form a protective barrier. As soon as the impact
has passed they immediately unlock to provide flow and
normal flexibility. This all happens in less than a
1000th of a second, and the faster they are impacted
the more quickly they react: true intelligence!?
The story of one of the most well-known step change
technologies in the sports market, Gore-Tex,? has many
similarities with d3o. Before Gore-Tex? you had to compromise
your comfort for the sake of keeping dry. d3o works
in the same way, allowing you to have protection that
doesn?t compromise your freedom of movement ? revolutionary.
While the protection equipment currently on the market
is bulky and unsightly, d3o can be integrated directly
into clothing and is light, breathable, washable, flexible,
allowing total freedom of movement.
d3o Lab's Managing Director, Richard Palmer, said: "Sometimes
it's hard to convince people what a truly amazing innovation
this is until you demonstrate it. I was wearing a prototype
shirt incorporating d3o, and at one point I stood up
and slammed my elbow onto the table as hard as I could,
sending coffee cups flying. Once they saw me doing that
- without flinching - they understood what I was saying."
For
further information about d3o,
www.d3olab.com or telephone Richard Palmer on 020
7401 6805 or 07980 212975
1)
d3o Lab is a specialist technology company focused
on the development of smart materials that are used
in synergy with the human body.
2) d3o Lab were granted a government SMART award in
2003 for the development of a high technology application.
They would be interested to hear from potential investors.
3) d3o Lab are based in award-winning offices in the
Oxo Tower, London, and have an extensive research
development facility at the Innovation Centre within
the University of Hertfordshire.
4) Richard Palmer is the Managing Director of d3o
Lab.
Richard previously ran a successful design consultancy
developing future products, and frequently lectures
on innovation. He is a graduate from the Royal College
of Art and Imperial College and has a degree in Mechanical
Engineering.
5) Charles Bromilow is the Strategy and Marketing
Director at d3o.
Charles has many years of marketing and general management
experience with major consumer products and sports
companies, spanning three continents. Charles holds
an MBA from the London Business School as well as
a BSc in Finance.
6) Phil Green is the Technical Director of d3o Lab.
Formerly a senior undergraduate and postgraduate lecturer,
Phil has a PhD in Materials Science and has worked
in the Adhesives and Automotive industries.
7) The first company to include d3o in their products
was Casablanca Polo who make knee-pads containing
d3o, these are currently available in the shops.
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