Plasma treated ion mask trainer (P2i)

The Nano4Sport event held on 21 September in London, UK, brought together the latest materials developments and illustrated the innovations being made in the sector. Martin Parley reports

Kicking off the event, Dr Martin Kemp from the Nanotechnology knowledge transfer network highlighted the progress made in enhancing material properties, cost saving in processing and new manufacturing routes. The Lotus flower-inspired nanotechnology, which has led to self-cleaning glass and improved exterior paints, is one example. The hydrophobic properties of the coating allow water to run off the surface, collecting and removing dirt, and has proven successful commercially.

In other areas, there have been advances in invisible coatings that have a wide scope and can be used in aesthetics, optical, mechanical, biological and chemical fields. There have also been advances in colour, such as electrochromic glass that is suitable for flat screen televisions.

Harder they fall

Kemp pointed to uses in tribology, where hard coatings for drills have increased resistance to damage. Energy harvesting through nano-imprinting and combining different techniques through the technology are now available. Other areas such as the development of nanofillers for bulk materials have been used in medicine for hierarchical bone structure. Here the crystals do the assembly work. He also highlighted the electro-conductivity properties of the composites with 1% carbon nanotubes replacing 10% of carbon black. Returning to sports applications, Kemp said, ‘These fillers are being used in composites to make hockey and tennis equipment where a 50% increase in strength has been achieved’.

Technology originally designed for other areas such as defence warfare apparel has been applied to sports equipment. Delwyn Evans from P2i outlined how chemical bonding of an invisible nano-coating to the surface of materials gives them water repellent characteristics without affecting the breathability of the garment. This is achieved by a low energy coating process using fluorocarbons applied by plasma treatment in an ion mask chamber giving protection and durability without affecting weight or the environment, since no solvents need to be evaporated in the application.

Materials originally developed for no specific purpose were also demonstrated, showing how important the design and marketing aspect is for success as well as material improvement. Dr Liz Mallen, Business Development Manager at Dow Corning Limited, demonstrated a new impact protection material called Deflexion that is flexible, breathable, functions in most conditions, rollable and easy to use. Originally, Dr Mallen admitted she ‘had no idea what this useful material could be used for’. Through a period of research and workshops, she saw sports applications as the most compatible. By shaping the product and making it fit into different shapes, the company incorporated fabric, weaving, moulding and lamination for further applications. The main use so far has been in mountain biking, snowboarding and rock climbing.

Smart track

The area of smart materials was covered by David Lussey, Chief Technology Officer at Peratech, who illustrated smart powered texiles used to incorporate applications such as sound systems into clothing. This is done through quantum tunnelling composites (QTC), which is widely used in mobile phones. Lussey says these are ‘true insulators and conductors that are rugged, reliable and operate in difficult environments’. They are activated through pressure, temperature, sound, vibration, voltage and electromagnetic radiation. Within textiles the proportional pressure response of soft switch fabrics have a large range of uses. The technology is used in snowboard jackets, which are washable, fencing vests for pressure response and medical and fitness purposes such as vital signs monitoring.

Leading up to the Olympics in 2012, there is plenty of work in the nano area that could improve competitors’ chances of success. However, there is also a drive towards increasing investment in innovation, which is where the much-vaunted ‘legacy’ of the Games could be delivered with the help of companies who see the importance of the smaller things in life.