ion-mask™ heads to ISPO

After a very successful International CES our focus now turns to showcasing our ion-mask™ technology at the 2012 ISPO tradeshow in Munich, Germany.

ISPO which takes place from the 29th January - 1st February is considered the leading international sports business network with around 2,000 exhibitors and over 60,000 delegates from more than 100 countries.

Last July we attended a similar show; the EU OutDoor show in Friedrichshafen where we demonstrated the game changing benefits that ion-mask™ can offer to footwear, textiles and accessories and you can see how we got on in the video below:

Come and see the technology for yourself!

At ISPO 2012 we will be located in Hall B6, Booth 122 where we will again be highlighting our world leading ion-mask™ technology via videos and hands-on demonstrations of treated and untreated footwear, tissues and fabrics.

ion-mask™ has already been adopted by leading lifestyle brands including: Timberland, KSwiss, Hi-Tec, adidas, Van Dal, Scott, Teva, Fox gloves and Bollman Hats to name a few. Attending ISPO is an opportunity to further expand the range of products that ion-mask™ protects. You can see a collection of videos featuring ion-mask™ here.

Throughout the show we will be uploading images and posting comments live from the booth so do 'Like' us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to be kept up to date.

See you there!

Changing the Game: P2i presents at Nano4Sport

Delwyn Evans

On Wednesday 21st September, I presented at the Nano4Sport conference in London. The event which consisted of designers, scientists as well as established and start-up technology companies, aimed to explore the potential uses of nanotechnologies within sports clothing and equipment.

My presentation entitled: Changing the Game: Using Water Repellent Nano-Technology for Sport Shoes; highlighted how our ion-mask™ technology for lifestyle products (footwear and textiles) can lead to improvements in performance, such as reduced water uptake and improved appearance.

P2i's success in applying the technology on a commercial scale to a range of 3D objects was a key point of the presentation and I demonstrated the technology first hand on a pair of KSwiss's California running shoes which are currently available on the market featuring ion-mask™. For the demonstration the right shoe had been treated with ion-mask™ while the left shoe remained uncoated. Water was then dropped on the front of each shoe with the treated shoe repelling the water while on the left; the material instantly absorbed any water that came into contact with it.

KSwiss California

The demonstration proved popular, as the treated shoe was passed around the audience so they could feel for themselves that there was no difference in weight, look or texture.

Overall, Nano4Sport proved an interesting event, offering an opportunity to showcase ion-mask™ technology to individuals and businesses in the industry as well as witnessing new and emerging technologies.

You can read more about the event here and if you would like to know more about how ion-mask™ works and the benefits it offers visit: www.p2i.com/ion-mask

ion-mask™ - Then and Now

Where did it all begin?

P2i originated as a project within the UK Governments' DSTL division to make soldier's clothing more effective against chemical attack. In 2004 P2i became the first DSTL technology transfer company to commercialize the technologies developed by the UK Government. 

Where are we now?

Today we operate within five key market sectors: Lifestyle (ion-mask™), Electronics (Aridion™), Filtration & Energy, Life Sciences and Military & Institutional. In this post we will focus on ion-mask™ and where it has been optimized for the footwear industry.

ion-mask™ has been available commercially since 2008, when outdoor footwear company Hi-Tec became the first brand to bring the technology to consumers by applying ion-mask™ to a new style of hiking boot; the V-Lite Altitude Ultra WPi:



Hi-Tec V-Lite Altitude Ultra WPi - First ever walking boot to feature ion-mask™

 Since then the ion-mask™ - Hi-Tec range has expanded significantly including the development of the Infinity trail runner which spawned the YouTube viral sensation 'Liquid Mountaineering':



Today, ion-mask™ has been applied to eleven separate footwear brands including Timberland, Van Dal and K∙Swiss to name but a few. You can read more about ion-mask™ and these brands in our case studies as well as seeing some of the styles below:



K∙Swiss Kwicky Blade Light



Hi-Tec Infinity HPI





Timberland City 6in Boot



Van Dal Cannes



ion-mask™ has also branched out from footwear and in 2011 we have seen the technology being applied to lifestyle accessories including gloves (Fox) and hats.

From previous post you will also have read that we have just returned from OutDoor 2011 in Friedrichshafen, Germany where we were demonstrated ion-mask™ to leading outdoor brands. The show was a great success with many companies enquiring about the adoption of ion-mask™ for apparel, a similar question we receive through our Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts. This is an area that we are extensively researching so watch this space...

The range of products featuring ion-mask™ continues to grow and if you have your own footwear featuring the technology we would love to hear your reviews and comments. There are also a host of reviews online you can read if you would like to know more or thinking of purchasing a new pair of shoes, here is a brief selection:

- Hi-Tec:

   ∙ Outdoors Magic 

    ∙ Outdoor Enthusiasts

    ∙ Gear We Are

- K∙Swiss:

   ∙ Sport (SBlog)

    ∙ Ironman

 

ion-mask™: Invisible Technology, Visible Results

A few weeks ago we looked at Aridion™, our technology for electronics and the benefits that it can offer. This week our attention turns to ion-mask™. 

What is ion-mask?

ion-mask™ is our liquid repellent nano-coating technology for Lifestyle products such as footwear and textiles. Invisible to wearers the ion-mask™ protective layer is over one thousand times thinner than a human hair and is bonded to the whole surface on a molecular level making it extremely durable without affecting the look or feel of the product.

Furthermore, ion-mask™ lasts as long as the material itself and is not compromised by everyday wear and tear, it also resists the absorption of liquid and dirt helping to guard against stains, making products look newer for longer. See for yourself in the video below:




What are the benefits of ion-mask™ technology?
 

Protective: 
ion-mask™ gives lifestyle products superior liquid repellency, stopping external water ingress whilst allowing perspiration to escape.

Breathable:
Treated articles keep wearers comfortable and dry. Unlike membrane technologies,    ion-mask™ is not a physical barrier, delivering the full natural airflow of the chosen material.

Durable:
ion-mask™  is physically bonded at a molecular level, so it lasts as long as the material it protects and cannot be seen or felt.

Lightweight: 
Being only nanometers thin, ion-mask™  does not add any additional weight to products. In wet environments, the hydrophobic properties ensure that less water is retained.

Environmental:

ion-mask™  is solvent-free and uses only microscopic quantities of protective monomer, resulting in minimal waste and environmental impact.




ion-mask™  is already available on a range of footwear styles including; Golf, Running, Hiking, Boating and Leisure with brands including Hi-Tec, Timberland, Nike, Adidas, KSwiss, Teva, Mizuno and Van Dal.

Here are some links to videos featuring ion-mask™  technology:

- KSwiss: Kwicky Blade-Light
- Hi-Tec: V-Lite Infinity  / Liquid Mountaineering
- Timberland: What is P2i / Hiking through nature
- Teva: Lucky the penguin and his ion-mask™ boot
- Van Dal
 
You can find out more by visiting the website.  If you have a pair of shoes featuring ion-mask™, then we would love to hear your thoughts. Contact us at marketing@p2i.com

K-Swiss picks up the pace with P2i

K-Swiss, a leading American footwear company has teamed up with P2i and our ion-mask™ technology to revolutionize two of their product lines; the Kwicky Blade-Light and the California which you can see below:

Kwicky Blade-Light

California

K-Swiss are renowned for their premium range of running footwear with many of their customers competing in high level sports such as ironmans and triathalons.

K-Swiss are differentiating their 'running' brand with the introduction of ion-mask™, ensuring that the shoes remain lightweight throughout competition as the nano-coating repels water and allows for the natural breathability of the model. Watch the video for the Kwicky Blade-Light below:



The shoes were officially launched in February 2011 and revealed at the Trek/K-Swiss Triathlon camp in Kona, Hawaii. You can read a first review on the Triathlete Europe website.

You can find out more about ion-mask™ by visiting the website or see how the technology works in our video below:



If you own a pair of Kwicky Blade-Lights we would love to hear your review: Contact us