D3o Lab Technology Makes Extreme Sports Safer
D3o is a complex elastomeric compound discovered at the University of Hertfordshire. A shear thickening material, it is flexible when moved slowly, but when it is compresssed by an impact, its molecules lock together.
The material stiffens, spreading the impact over a greater area (source).
A lot of products have already been created for sports & extreme sports using this material (snowboard, soccer, motorbike racing, etc), and i’m sure that rollerbladers could use one of those gloves, helmets, knee protections: they are light and look pretty cool.
Sad recent events are there to remember us that we are not indestructibles: The accident of Josh Waggoner (RIP), the injury of Cameron Card, the death of Richard Taylor and much more.
Here are some videos on the subject:
Thanks Kmediavideo.
What is d3o?
An explanation of what d3o is given by Richard palmer, founder of d3o lab.
D3o on the Discovery Channel:
Shovel test:
Sky News reporter Derek Tedder smacks a bloke over the head with a shovel and gets away with it. Find out how!
More products & links:
- D3o.com: Official website
- d3o.com products section
- besportier.com d3o article
- 661 Evo Kneepads use d3o technology
- Various models of hats & caps using d3o
- Quiksilver develops shock-absorbent beanie
Tags: d3o, protective gear
April 2nd, 2008 at 4:41 pm
that’s the shit. Is this material able to be licensed out.
April 2nd, 2008 at 4:49 pm
SIIIIICK!
April 2nd, 2008 at 5:13 pm
i need it now!!!!!!!!!!
April 2nd, 2008 at 5:42 pm
cool idea
now they should put on something like am beanies
April 2nd, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Awesome idea. This is going to be a sucess.
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:43 pm
mayne I saw that stuff in that movie fluber
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:49 pm
saw this on a programme its ment to be real good i hope its nto to expensive tho as its patented! well want it though!
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:51 pm
OH MY GOSHHHHHH just watched the last two
April 2nd, 2008 at 7:12 pm
OHHH MAN!!!! YESSSSSS!!!!!
April 2nd, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Yes just like in warhammer 400000, the eldar composite armour. I need one of this, ucon make a beani plz the quicksilver doesn’t one n sport.
April 2nd, 2008 at 7:40 pm
i wonder if it can stop a bullet
April 2nd, 2008 at 8:44 pm
i can imagine myself rocking one of those lycra style outfits while havin a session down the park………. oh yeah.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:02 pm
theres already beani out with this stuff init. about £60
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Sick, I think I’m gonna order this one, looks pretty good too!
http://www.d3o.com/admin/i/Ignite%20beanie%20product.jpg
April 2nd, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Wicked, You will still knock your self out though, and could still cause brain damage.
April 2nd, 2008 at 11:07 pm
nah can’t stop a bullet guy said a spike would go through it, I wouldn’t mind some gloves with this in idk bout everyone else but its my palms and wrists that I fall on most.
April 2nd, 2008 at 11:14 pm
looks ok. what’s this wearing protection is like the coolest thing all of a sudden? haha
April 2nd, 2008 at 11:27 pm
I could care less it being cool, as long as I’m protected, I’m good…
I want the knee pads, looks like some excellent protection…
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:15 am
Finnally something good comes out of where i live (as long as its UK)
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:22 am
Guys this things are cool n sick yea but it’s still not as good as normal helmets.
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:41 am
Point is that it’s a great protection and also lightweight.
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:42 am
awesome idea. lol fluber, how do you remember that film?
April 3rd, 2008 at 1:06 am
yeah i agree ballin!, i say Amall gets some beanies made with d3o. That would be the sickness. These helmets are awesome and look cool but they aren’t quite as good as regular helmets. But it’s still better than smackin the concrete straight to your dome.
April 3rd, 2008 at 1:23 am
ok he hit the guy in the head with a shovel and it apparently didnt hurt to bad if you get punched in the head while wearing a normal helmet it hurts like a bitch so there has to be something good about this d30 stuff
April 3rd, 2008 at 1:46 am
haha fluber!! this is going to be huge hit i think! im definatly buying thise knee pads
April 3rd, 2008 at 3:38 am
I want some gloves for ride my Motorcycle !!!! Damn…
Oh, and of course to do more than just extreme rollerblading!!! =D =D =D
April 3rd, 2008 at 4:23 am
um thing is do you really wanna be seen skating down the street looking like a power ranger? that full body costume wont sell well to anyone but mtb-ers.
April 3rd, 2008 at 4:48 am
Ha. funny, but that’s why they showed the guys in regular clothes to smashing their elbows into the wall. This is a revolutionary invention and it will be very useful in the near future.
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:05 am
you can actually make this stuff at home, its just corn startch puddy
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:24 am
oh come on…. are they paying you guys to post this stuff?!?!?!?!
April 3rd, 2008 at 4:28 pm
I still prefer the oldschool helmets, even though this is a cool idea.
April 4th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
I think beanies made from d30 would be a good compromise for skating street, where not everyone wants to lug a helmet around or has style issues with wearing them.
Further down the line, imagine the possibilities. Off the top of my head, no more need for bulky shin pads and knee gaskets - just tight, long-john style undercrackers, worn under jeans or whatever, that protect your knees, shins, balls/ladybits and coccyx without restricting your movement. I’d wear them - no more future-child-threatening rail-splitting injuries.
April 4th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
“looks ok. what’s this wearing protection is like the coolest thing all of a sudden? haha” because someone died skating.
April 13th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Hi guys, I work at d3o and we’ve just made a few concept products that you can check out here: http://www.d3oteam.com/d3o_products.php?category=6
There aren’t many commercial products out yet so we’ve made a few extra of our concept base layers to keep everyone happy until there are more! Would be really grateful for your feedback :)
thanks