d3o and it's a polymer compound that is flexible enough for the person wearing it to run, jump, roll or just about anything else. But when performing under a high impact scenario, like a slalom crash or a series of balletic leaps, the molecules lock up and it becomes rock hard, protecting the athlete from injury.
It's a material that's strong enough to withstand beatings from baseball bats; it's flexible enough to create a suit for extreme skiers and snowboarders; it makes for a cool looking beanie, but will protect your head as good as any helmet. And now it's being used to save the feet of ballerinas whose toes have been gnarled like tree roots for centuries.
d3o was invented by former DuPont scientist Richard Palmer. When he was trying to persuade investors to believe in his product he couldn't get anyone's support. His tenacity paid off, in 2007 Palmer was named the O2X Entrepreneur of the Year in London.
What's Driving This Trend
- Flexible Sports Fabrics
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop sports apparel using d3o Smart Polymer to provide athletes with superior protection and flexibility during high-impact scenarios.
- Impact-resistant Materials
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore applications of d3o Smart Polymer in various industries, such as automotive, construction, and protective equipment manufacturing, to create impact-resistant materials.
- Bio-inspired Protective Gear
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create new lines of protective gear for athletes and workers that mimic the flexible yet durable properties of d3o Smart Polymer for enhanced safety and comfort.
Who This Affects Most
- Sports Apparel
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate d3o Smart Polymer into the design of sports apparel, such as helmets, pads, and clothing, to revolutionize athlete protection.
- Automotive
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate d3o Smart Polymer into vehicle components to improve impact resistance, enhancing safety and durability.
- Protective Equipment Manufacturing
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Partner with protective equipment manufacturers to develop new product lines utilizing d3o Smart Polymer for advanced impact protection in industries like construction and manufacturing.
