Vancouver-based designer Andrew Lee McConnell suffered a head and neck injury last year, prompting him to design a wearable, protective brace, titled the 'Neck Frame,' to better prevent or minimize impact-related injuries suffered by athletes.
The frame attaches to the back and neck like a sports tape, but the layers of graphene, a carbon-based material, allow it to act "like a structural second skin," absorbing the impact of any inordinate force to the spine.
Lee McConnell chose graphene as the primary material for the brace because of its strong and flexible nature, ensuring that the finished brace wouldn't restrict the wearer's movement. He explains, "After researching and learning about the material's characteristics, I saw the potential for a product made from graphene that would not just move with the body but also reinforce it."
Impact-Absorbent Braces
The Neck Frame Acts Like a Second Skin
Trend Themes
1. Impact-absorbent Braces - The use of impact-absorbent braces can revolutionize the sports and athletics industry by providing enhanced protection and minimizing injuries.
2. Graphene Technology - The utilization of graphene in wearable protective gear opens up disruptive innovation opportunities across various industries, including sports, medical, and consumer electronics.
3. Wearable Injury Prevention - The development of wearable protective devices like the Neck Frame presents opportunities to revolutionize injury prevention in sports and other physically demanding activities.
Industry Implications
1. Sports and Athletics - The sports and athletics industry can greatly benefit from the implementation of impact-absorbent braces to enhance athlete safety and performance.
2. Medical - The medical industry can explore the use of graphene-based wearable braces to provide enhanced support and protection for patients recovering from neck and spinal injuries.
3. Consumer Electronics - The consumer electronics industry can integrate graphene technology into wearable devices for injury prevention and health monitoring purposes, enhancing user experience and safety.