D3O, the British smart materials specialist, has developed a new range of cushioning materials specifically for footwear applications including athletic, industrial and military markets. D3O is a groundbreaking impact protection solutions company that sells and licenses a range of unique patented smart materials. Company team of chemists and material scientists has engineered a range of new materials to bring rate-sensitivity and superior cushioning performance to the footwear marketplace and now offers an intelligent, responsive solution that absorbs shock, improves energy return, reduces injury and provides long-term comfort.

Improved impact protection in footwear such as the midsoles has been linked to a reduction in lower limb injuries, and D3O’s new heel-to-toe shock absorption range helps to reduce the impact trauma that commonly causes knee and hip injuries.

The raw material is strain rate sensitive. In standard conditions its molecules flow freely, allowing the material to be soft and flexible, but on impact, lock together to dissipate the impact energy and reduce the transmitted force. This market changing technology is used to produce shock absorbing materials which can be found in a range of products across the motorcycle, sport, footwear, electronics, military and work wear sectors.

Source: D3O