Our last post explored the emergence of the field of nanotechnology as we know it in the 1980s and 1990s, including seminal developments by scientists such as Eric Drexler, Richard Smalley, and others.
Now we turn our attention towards the early 2000s, which proved to be an exciting time for nanotechnology. The field could now be explored and debated in greater depth. Drexler and Smalley, for instance, famously engaged in a public discussion about approaches to nanotechnology, with Drexler defending his idea of "universal assemblers" and Smalley offering objections.
Meanwhile, concerns about the broader implications of nanotechnology - a potentially very powerful but still relatively new field - were being raised and addressed with consideration given to both the potential benefits as well as risks involved. In 2003 congressional hearings on the societal implications of nanotechnology were raised and in 2004 the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering published a report on the implications of nanotechnology and nanoscience, which you can read here.
Nanotechnology also began to appear more in more commercial settings during the 2000s, including the emergance of our technology and the launch of ion-mask™ on Hi-Tec shoes:
In the early part of the decade, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles were included in sunscreen and cosmetics, and carbon nanotubes were used to make textiles stain-resistant. By 2011 the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies estimated that there were over 1300 nanotech products publicly available.
In our next and final post of the series, we'll take a closer look at what the future might hold for nanotechnology. If would like to read some of our early posts in this series you can through the links below:
You can also find out more about our ion-mask™ technology here and as always if you have any questions we would love to hear them.
Showing posts with label ion-mask. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ion-mask. Show all posts
A Brief History of Nanotechnology: Part 4 - The Early 2000s to the Present Day
on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Kangol introduces P2i headwear collection
on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
You may have seen on our Facebook and Twitter accounts about our collaboration with Kangol on their new range of headwear featuring our ion-mask™ technology. Well, we are delighted to announce that the collection is now available!
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As you can see from the video, headwear that is treated with ion-mask™ will stay dry and lightweight keeping the wearer comfortable throughout the day.
The complete collection can be viewed here: http://www.kangol.com/category/shop/p2i/ and below is an example of how the ion-mask™ technology repels water:
We are excited to be working with Kangol and look forward to hearing your thoughts on how you find these hats? If you have any questions about ion-mask™, such as how it works, please do comment below or you can get in contact with us on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
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To tie in with the launch both Kangol and P2i have released a video which showcases the benefits ion-mask™ brings to headwear which you can see below:As you can see from the video, headwear that is treated with ion-mask™ will stay dry and lightweight keeping the wearer comfortable throughout the day.
The complete collection can be viewed here: http://www.kangol.com/category/shop/p2i/ and below is an example of how the ion-mask™ technology repels water:
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| Polo Stripe featuring ion-mask™ |
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ion-mask™ heads to ISPO
on Thursday, January 26, 2012
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:
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!
The difference between water resistant and repellent technologies
on Friday, November 4, 2011
We recently came across the EMU Australia footwear brand who produce and sell a great range of sheepskin boots around the world but what caught our attention was the following banner on their website:
It is a great visual image that really states the fact that their boots are water resistant. Exploring the site further, EMU have also produced a video showcasing their water resistant sheepskin against a competing UGG boot. You can see the video below:
Before watching the video we initially thought that it was our technology, as the EMU video is similar to a version that we produced back in 2009 that focused on our ion-mask™ water repellent technology (see further down). In the EMU video, they demonstrate the difference between their water resistant sheepskin boot and that of a standard UGG boot. You can clearly see a distinction between the two as the water uptake is significantly reduced on EMU's water resistant sheepskin while the UGG boot completely absorbs the water leading to a stained, heavy and uncomfortable boot.
However, even though the water resistance does keep the EMU boot from absorbing the water, if you look closely you can clearly see that there is a layer of water that remains on the boot once it is pulled out, giving it a shiny but wet look. Over time, this could potentially damage the surface, resulting in the absorption of water and eventual staining. This is when we realized that it was not our technology and that ion-mask™ could be a great solution.
Why ion-mask™?
Earlier, we mentioned a video we produced back in 2009 which carried out the same test as EMU demonstrate above but showcases our liquid repellent nano-coating technology. Although the boots in our demo are made from suede and not sheepskin the principles are the same:
The ion-mask™ treated boot completely repels the water by ensuring the water beads up and rolls off the boot leaving no layer or residue, which can occur with water resistant boots. The untreated version absorbs the water the instant it is submerged. We have also carried out this test using sheepskin boots and you can see the result in the following image:
Again, the repellent benefits of ion-mask™ act as an invisible shield forcing the water to bead up and roll off while the untreated version is completed soaked. Adding ion-mask™ to sheepskin boots means total liquid repellency without any leftover layers or streaks that is visible with only a resistant protection in place. An ion-mask™ repellent coating ensures that they remain dry, lightweight and most importantly comfortable.
While EMU's water resistant sheepskin boots do offer protection they still allow water to remain on the boot which over time can lead to staining and absorption. With the addition of ion-mask™ this is no longer a problem and as it is applied on the nanoscale you don't even know it is there.
If you want to know more about ion-mask™ you can here.
It is a great visual image that really states the fact that their boots are water resistant. Exploring the site further, EMU have also produced a video showcasing their water resistant sheepskin against a competing UGG boot. You can see the video below:
Before watching the video we initially thought that it was our technology, as the EMU video is similar to a version that we produced back in 2009 that focused on our ion-mask™ water repellent technology (see further down). In the EMU video, they demonstrate the difference between their water resistant sheepskin boot and that of a standard UGG boot. You can clearly see a distinction between the two as the water uptake is significantly reduced on EMU's water resistant sheepskin while the UGG boot completely absorbs the water leading to a stained, heavy and uncomfortable boot.
However, even though the water resistance does keep the EMU boot from absorbing the water, if you look closely you can clearly see that there is a layer of water that remains on the boot once it is pulled out, giving it a shiny but wet look. Over time, this could potentially damage the surface, resulting in the absorption of water and eventual staining. This is when we realized that it was not our technology and that ion-mask™ could be a great solution.
Why ion-mask™?
Earlier, we mentioned a video we produced back in 2009 which carried out the same test as EMU demonstrate above but showcases our liquid repellent nano-coating technology. Although the boots in our demo are made from suede and not sheepskin the principles are the same:
The ion-mask™ treated boot completely repels the water by ensuring the water beads up and rolls off the boot leaving no layer or residue, which can occur with water resistant boots. The untreated version absorbs the water the instant it is submerged. We have also carried out this test using sheepskin boots and you can see the result in the following image:
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| ion-mask™ treated (Left) / Untreated (Right) |
While EMU's water resistant sheepskin boots do offer protection they still allow water to remain on the boot which over time can lead to staining and absorption. With the addition of ion-mask™ this is no longer a problem and as it is applied on the nanoscale you don't even know it is there.
If you want to know more about ion-mask™ you can here.
Changing the Game: P2i presents at Nano4Sport
on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
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| Delwyn Evans |
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.
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| KSwiss California |
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
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Hi-TecKnowledgy - V-Lite Infinity featuring ion-mask™
on Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Back in March we posted an article on the V-Lite Infinity Trail Running shoes featuring ion-mask™, which you can read here.
Since then the Infinity story has gone from strength to strength picking up a host of awards along the way including the Health Magazine Gear Award for the best trail running shoe (women's shoe) and the Best New Trail Shoe Award from Running Network. You can see Hi-Tec talking about the awards and the shoes at the Outdoor Retailer here.
However, the success did not stop there. The Liquid Mountaineering viral that promoted the Infinities has now surpassed 10 million views and was even featured in an episode on the hit Discovery Channel TV show, Mythbusters:
The campaign has also been used by The Times 100 as a case study example of 'Using promotion to position a brand' which you can read here.
With the Infinity range gather a strong momentum, Hi-Tec have now produced a series of videos, filmed at the 'Hook and Bullet' lounge. Already covering the Cascadia eVent HPi (also featuring ion-mask™) the latest video focuses on the V-Lite Hpi version of the Infinity range and looks at the 'sciencey' stuff in your shoes. You can be one of the first to view it below:
Do you own a pair of Infinity's? If so, we would love to hear how they and the ion-mask™ technology works for you. Also if you have not played the Infinity Run game yet, why not give it a go.... You can also find out more about the technology that makes the Infinity 'run on water' here?
Since then the Infinity story has gone from strength to strength picking up a host of awards along the way including the Health Magazine Gear Award for the best trail running shoe (women's shoe) and the Best New Trail Shoe Award from Running Network. You can see Hi-Tec talking about the awards and the shoes at the Outdoor Retailer here.
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| V-Lite Infinity HPi |
However, the success did not stop there. The Liquid Mountaineering viral that promoted the Infinities has now surpassed 10 million views and was even featured in an episode on the hit Discovery Channel TV show, Mythbusters:
The campaign has also been used by The Times 100 as a case study example of 'Using promotion to position a brand' which you can read here.
With the Infinity range gather a strong momentum, Hi-Tec have now produced a series of videos, filmed at the 'Hook and Bullet' lounge. Already covering the Cascadia eVent HPi (also featuring ion-mask™) the latest video focuses on the V-Lite Hpi version of the Infinity range and looks at the 'sciencey' stuff in your shoes. You can be one of the first to view it below:
Do you own a pair of Infinity's? If so, we would love to hear how they and the ion-mask™ technology works for you. Also if you have not played the Infinity Run game yet, why not give it a go.... You can also find out more about the technology that makes the Infinity 'run on water' here?
Faces of Nano: P2i interviewed by TechSplurge
on Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Earlier this week our Principal Scientist, Delwyn Evans was interviewed by Julian Taub for this TechSplurge Blog as part of the Faces of Nano series. You can read the full interview below:
FACES OF NANO: Dr. Delwyn Evans
Companies are an important part of the nanotech initiative. They take lab discoveries and apply them to consumers’ daily lives. One of the most successful nanotech companies, P2i, just won the title of Most Innovative Company in Europe. P2i manufactures technology that adds liquid repellent protection for both electronics and apparel (footwear). I interview Dr. Delwyn Evans, a chemist at P2i.
JT: Tell me about yourself, your background, and your position at P2i.
DE: I’m the Principal Chemist at P2i, and my responsibilities include the development and optimization of our nano-coating technology, representing the company at conferences and training our technical staff in the chemistry aspects of our process. Prior to P2i I worked for Abbott Laboratories as a Principal Scientist on blood glucose sensors and Cookson on residue-free solders. My degrees in Chemistry were obtained at the University of York, UK.
JT: How did you become interested in nanotechnology? How did you come to work at this company?
DE: Nanotechnology is interesting as it helps push technical boundaries set up by the limitations of incumbent technology, and when it’s commercialized, then it’s game-changing. P2i was particularly attractive as their technology can be applied to a wide range of industrial markets and so deliver serious commercial impact.
JT: How does the P2i technology work?
DE: On a general level, P2i’s process applies a nano-thin polymer coating to the surfaces of products. Depending on the customer’s requirements, a different polymer can be put onto their product so the surface can be made water repellent, oil repellent, water wetting or a range of other effects. Products are processed in a vacuum chamber and plasmas are used to activate the product surface and promote the growth of the polymer layer. As the process occurs in a vacuum, the monomer (polymer pre-cursor) can penetrate into the 3D structure of the product. At the end of the process, the chamber returns to atmospheric pressure and the treated items are removed and ready for use. It can have environmental benefits compared to traditional technologies as it only uses small quantities of monomer, and its solvent free.
JT: P2i was just named the most innovative company in Europe. What do you find to be the most innovative aspect of its technology?
DE: The adaptability of the core technology and work P2i has put in to take it from a university lab bench to a globalized industrial process. Many scientists are really surprised that the results from a PhD project can directly lead to a successful business.
JT: Where can I find P2i products?
DE: Consumers can currently find P2i-treated products on footwear and hearing aids. Many brands of shoes for sport or outdoor activities have taken up P2i’s water repellent treatment - ion-mask™. In the electronics sector, we have a technology called Aridion™, which prevents the ingress of water into devices. Over 4,500,000 hearings aids have now been processed with Aridion™. Hearing aids have their internal components protected against water ingress with our Aridion™ technology and so last longer in humid environments. We also treat bioconsumable products for lab use and filter membranes. As our technology develops further, we aim to bring a range of effects to a wider range of products.
JT: What do you see as the extent of P2i technology benefitting our daily lives?
DE: P2i technology makes great products even better. It can extend their lifetime, give them different functionality, and offer a wider choice of materials to product designers for their construction. And it can do all this with minimal amounts of chemicals, which gives it a low environmental footprint.
JT: Lastly, as someone on the cutting edge of science and technology, where do you see nanotechnology in five years?
DE: Nanotechnology will have its greatest effect in improving existing technologies and enabling new scientific areas. I expect its impact to be more subtle and gradual to end consumers, but felt more significantly in technical industries. It sounds like an oxymoron, but nano is only going to get bigger!
(Interviewed on the 15th August, 2011 - The TechSplurge blog can be read here)
Companies are an important part of the nanotech initiative. They take lab discoveries and apply them to consumers’ daily lives. One of the most successful nanotech companies, P2i, just won the title of Most Innovative Company in Europe. P2i manufactures technology that adds liquid repellent protection for both electronics and apparel (footwear). I interview Dr. Delwyn Evans, a chemist at P2i.
JT: Tell me about yourself, your background, and your position at P2i.
DE: I’m the Principal Chemist at P2i, and my responsibilities include the development and optimization of our nano-coating technology, representing the company at conferences and training our technical staff in the chemistry aspects of our process. Prior to P2i I worked for Abbott Laboratories as a Principal Scientist on blood glucose sensors and Cookson on residue-free solders. My degrees in Chemistry were obtained at the University of York, UK.
JT: How did you become interested in nanotechnology? How did you come to work at this company?
DE: Nanotechnology is interesting as it helps push technical boundaries set up by the limitations of incumbent technology, and when it’s commercialized, then it’s game-changing. P2i was particularly attractive as their technology can be applied to a wide range of industrial markets and so deliver serious commercial impact.
JT: How does the P2i technology work?
DE: On a general level, P2i’s process applies a nano-thin polymer coating to the surfaces of products. Depending on the customer’s requirements, a different polymer can be put onto their product so the surface can be made water repellent, oil repellent, water wetting or a range of other effects. Products are processed in a vacuum chamber and plasmas are used to activate the product surface and promote the growth of the polymer layer. As the process occurs in a vacuum, the monomer (polymer pre-cursor) can penetrate into the 3D structure of the product. At the end of the process, the chamber returns to atmospheric pressure and the treated items are removed and ready for use. It can have environmental benefits compared to traditional technologies as it only uses small quantities of monomer, and its solvent free.
JT: P2i was just named the most innovative company in Europe. What do you find to be the most innovative aspect of its technology?
DE: The adaptability of the core technology and work P2i has put in to take it from a university lab bench to a globalized industrial process. Many scientists are really surprised that the results from a PhD project can directly lead to a successful business.
JT: Where can I find P2i products?
DE: Consumers can currently find P2i-treated products on footwear and hearing aids. Many brands of shoes for sport or outdoor activities have taken up P2i’s water repellent treatment - ion-mask™. In the electronics sector, we have a technology called Aridion™, which prevents the ingress of water into devices. Over 4,500,000 hearings aids have now been processed with Aridion™. Hearing aids have their internal components protected against water ingress with our Aridion™ technology and so last longer in humid environments. We also treat bioconsumable products for lab use and filter membranes. As our technology develops further, we aim to bring a range of effects to a wider range of products.
JT: What do you see as the extent of P2i technology benefitting our daily lives?
DE: P2i technology makes great products even better. It can extend their lifetime, give them different functionality, and offer a wider choice of materials to product designers for their construction. And it can do all this with minimal amounts of chemicals, which gives it a low environmental footprint.
JT: Lastly, as someone on the cutting edge of science and technology, where do you see nanotechnology in five years?
DE: Nanotechnology will have its greatest effect in improving existing technologies and enabling new scientific areas. I expect its impact to be more subtle and gradual to end consumers, but felt more significantly in technical industries. It sounds like an oxymoron, but nano is only going to get bigger!
(Interviewed on the 15th August, 2011 - The TechSplurge blog can be read here)
Splash the P2i Duck
on Friday, August 12, 2011
In a previous post we talked about the launch of the Splash Challenge competition at the OutDoor show in Friedrichshafen. The competition was open to all delegates and those that visited our booth where able to take part in the competition by adopting Splash the P2i Duck, and taking him on adventures around the world.
Many Splashes were picked up by attendees at our booth and we are now receiving a steady stream of Splash images from all over the world, below are just a few:
As you can see there have been some great images sent in and with the competition running until the end of September we expect to receive many more.
In addition to this we have put a short video together of Splash at the OutDoor show and some of the entries we have received thus far:
If you would like to keep up with Splash or have any images still to send in, you can upload them here www.p2i.com/splash and why not follow him on Twitter.
We will send another update on how Splash is getting on next month...
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| Splash |
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| Collection of Splashes at our booth |
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| Splash entering another duck's territory in Wales |
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| Splash taking in the sights at the Snaefellsjökull volcano, Iceland |
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| Splash the risk taker in Oxfordshire, England |
In addition to this we have put a short video together of Splash at the OutDoor show and some of the entries we have received thus far:
If you would like to keep up with Splash or have any images still to send in, you can upload them here www.p2i.com/splash and why not follow him on Twitter.
We will send another update on how Splash is getting on next month...
The Most Innovative Company in Europe...
on Thursday, August 4, 2011
Quite a statement to make, but one we feel confident to use as it was announced last week that P2i has won an International Business Award or 'Stevie' as it is more affectingly known for the Most Innovative Company in Europe category.
So what are the Stevies?
What makes us stand out?
To be selected for a Stevie Award you need to show great performance in business globally and that is what we have achieved by changing the way people think about everyday liquid protection. As an example of this, Aridion™ our liquid repellent nano-coating for electronics has, in just two years, revolutionized the reliability of hearing aids, to the extent that one manufacturer has reported a 50% reduction in corrosion and moisture related damage. Adding to this, Aridion™ is now applied to more than four million devices and we are working with four of the six leading hearing aid manufacturers.
And our innovation does not stop there, as Dr. Stephen Coulson, CTO explains in the video below:
The awards will be presented at a gala event on Tuesday, 11th October at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and as Carl Francis; CEO explains it is an award we are delighted to have won:
Now to plan the acceptance speech...
So what are the Stevies?
Originating in 2002 with the American Business Awards, the International Business Awards or Stevie Awards were created to honor and generate public recognition of the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and working people worldwide.
Overseen by a board of distinguished judges and advisors, we were selected from more than 3,000 entries, across 40 nations and through two rounds of judging by 200 business professionals worldwide.
What makes us stand out?
To be selected for a Stevie Award you need to show great performance in business globally and that is what we have achieved by changing the way people think about everyday liquid protection. As an example of this, Aridion™ our liquid repellent nano-coating for electronics has, in just two years, revolutionized the reliability of hearing aids, to the extent that one manufacturer has reported a 50% reduction in corrosion and moisture related damage. Adding to this, Aridion™ is now applied to more than four million devices and we are working with four of the six leading hearing aid manufacturers.
And our innovation does not stop there, as Dr. Stephen Coulson, CTO explains in the video below:
The awards will be presented at a gala event on Tuesday, 11th October at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and as Carl Francis; CEO explains it is an award we are delighted to have won:
“We have a highly innovative, fast growing and scalable business which is based on proprietary and game-changing technology. Innovation is part of our corporate DNA, so we are extremely proud to receive this prestigious award."
Now to plan the acceptance speech...
ion-mask™ - Then and Now
on Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Where did it all begin?
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:
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:
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.
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| Hi-Tec V-Lite Altitude Ultra WPi - First ever walking boot to feature ion-mask™ |
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:
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| K∙Swiss Kwicky Blade Light |
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| Hi-Tec Infinity HPI |
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| Timberland City 6in Boot |
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| 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:
- K∙Swiss:
∙ Ironman
Making a Splash at EU OutDoor 2011 - Friedrichshafen
on Wednesday, July 20, 2011
So that was EU OutDoor 2011 in Friedrichshafen!
We have just returned to the office from a very successful show in Germany where we exhibited our ion-mask™ technology for the first time. EU OutDoor 2011 was also where we launched our Splash Challenge competition (more on that later).
The show which ran from the 14th-17th July, is host to leading outdoor brands from around the world.
Over the four days, those that stopped by our booth were introduced to ion-mask™ via videos, a custom designed holographic kiosk and through hands-on demonstrations of ion-mask™ treated footwear, tissues and fabrics - we even had Hannibal our own corporate magician!
We also put a short video together of our booth that you can watch below:
Overall the show was a great success and it was exciting to have many leading outdoor brands visit our booth, keen to see for themselves how ion-mask™ could benefit their products.
Already working with leading footwear brands, we are excited to see who will next adopt P2i's ion-mask™ technology.
What is the Splash Challenge?
At the start of the post we mention the Splash Challenge, so what is it? Launched at the EU OutDoor show, we gave all attendees the chance to take away with them their very own Splash the P2i Duck.
We have just returned to the office from a very successful show in Germany where we exhibited our ion-mask™ technology for the first time. EU OutDoor 2011 was also where we launched our Splash Challenge competition (more on that later).
The show which ran from the 14th-17th July, is host to leading outdoor brands from around the world.
Over the four days, those that stopped by our booth were introduced to ion-mask™ via videos, a custom designed holographic kiosk and through hands-on demonstrations of ion-mask™ treated footwear, tissues and fabrics - we even had Hannibal our own corporate magician!
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| ion-mask™ footwear demonstration |
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| ion-mask™ tissue demonstration |
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| Hannibal |
Overall the show was a great success and it was exciting to have many leading outdoor brands visit our booth, keen to see for themselves how ion-mask™ could benefit their products.
Already working with leading footwear brands, we are excited to see who will next adopt P2i's ion-mask™ technology.
What is the Splash Challenge?
At the start of the post we mention the Splash Challenge, so what is it? Launched at the EU OutDoor show, we gave all attendees the chance to take away with them their very own Splash the P2i Duck. Splash is searching for water-filled adventures and attendees that picked up Splash from the show are now taking images and videos of him from around the world. A multi-lense SuperSampler camera awaits for the person who sends in the best image of Splash. If you would like to keep up to date with Splash and see how he is getting on, you can here www.p2i.com/splash - or why not follow him on Twitter.
You can see all our images from the show on our Flickr page here.
ion-mask™: Invisible Technology, Visible Results
on Tuesday, June 7, 2011
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?
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.
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
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.
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
A penguin called Lucky and his special shoe
on Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The internet has been filled with stories in the past week about a penguin from Santa Barbara Zoo who suffers from an impaired foot.
The young Humboldt penguin named Lucky was born with a leg that was not growing properly, causing sores to develop where pressure was put on the wrong parts of his foot. These sores could have turned into a life-threatening condition if a solution was not found.
X-rays showed that Lucky's bones were not broken and while penguins normally walk on their toes, the condition caused him to walk on an unpadded area of his foot. Zoo veterinarians wrapped his foot and padded the ankle area to compensate but it meant that Lucky could not swim as the wrapping would become very wet and heavy.
So the idea for a protective shoe was hatched when Santa Barbara Zoo CEO, Rich Block, recalled that Teva® had developed a special shoe for an elephant with foot issues at San Antonio Zoo. With Teva's headquarters only a few miles away it was worth enquiring to see if they could make a little penguin shoe suitable for Lucky.
With Teva's historic background in developing footwear for water adventures they instantly took on the challenge. Due to the language barrier, several versions were required but Lucky made it easy for Teva® as what worked and what did not. With each new version the boot was adapted until Lucky was happy with the finished product, and here is the result:
Using different materials the shoe is designed to be lightweight, have superb traction to get out of the water as well as the ability to shed water. To do this, Teva® applied our ion-mask™ technology to Lucky's shoe making it completely hydrophobic enabling him to swim as freely as he likes. The shoes are also changed daily so Lucky always has a fresh pair for the start of each day.
It really is a great story with a life-saving outcome and you can watch Lucky's story and how Teva® got involved in the video below:
Furthermore, in the fall this year, UK children's book author and illustrator, Sarah Aspinall, is writing all about Lucky in a book with the proceeds from sales being used to support Lucky and the other Humboldt penguins at Santa Barbara zoo.
If you would like to know more about Lucky's species, the Humboldt penguins, you can here.
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The young Humboldt penguin named Lucky was born with a leg that was not growing properly, causing sores to develop where pressure was put on the wrong parts of his foot. These sores could have turned into a life-threatening condition if a solution was not found.
X-rays showed that Lucky's bones were not broken and while penguins normally walk on their toes, the condition caused him to walk on an unpadded area of his foot. Zoo veterinarians wrapped his foot and padded the ankle area to compensate but it meant that Lucky could not swim as the wrapping would become very wet and heavy.
So the idea for a protective shoe was hatched when Santa Barbara Zoo CEO, Rich Block, recalled that Teva® had developed a special shoe for an elephant with foot issues at San Antonio Zoo. With Teva's headquarters only a few miles away it was worth enquiring to see if they could make a little penguin shoe suitable for Lucky.
With Teva's historic background in developing footwear for water adventures they instantly took on the challenge. Due to the language barrier, several versions were required but Lucky made it easy for Teva® as what worked and what did not. With each new version the boot was adapted until Lucky was happy with the finished product, and here is the result:
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| The Teva® penguin shoe |
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| Teva's penguin shoe as worn by Lucky |
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| Lucky modeling his new shoe |
Furthermore, in the fall this year, UK children's book author and illustrator, Sarah Aspinall, is writing all about Lucky in a book with the proceeds from sales being used to support Lucky and the other Humboldt penguins at Santa Barbara zoo.
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| Sneak peak of the cover |
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Teva launch their first mountain bike shoe featuring ion-mask™
on Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Outdoor pursuits in particular mountain biking, is popular the world over but ensuring you have the correct footwear to match the conditions can be problematic. Help is at hand now though, thanks to Teva and ion-mask™.
Founded by a guide on the Colorado River in 1984 (who went on to produce the world's first sports sandal), Teva now lead the way in which we can engage with our environments, especially those involving water.
As Chris Hillyer, Product Line Manager for Performance Products at Teva describes it: "Water presents a paradox to Teva. It provides a year round playground but also a number of challenges, as anyone who has ever ended up with soaking wet shoes can confirm."
With this problem in mind, Teva have taken their product development one step further with the introduction of our ion-mask™ technology to their latest range of shoes for mountain biking - the Links.
The Links bike shoe is Teva's first venture into mountain biking footwear and has been designed in conjunction with professional mountain biker Jeff Lenosky, also known as the 'father' of freeride mountain biking and creator of the Mountain Games. Teva, have sponsored the games for the last five years and it is now recognized as one of the premier freeride competitions in the country.
The Links shoes incorporate a host of features ensuring the user remains in maximum comfort throughout the biking experience. Designed specifically for use with flat pedals and featuring Teva's Spider365 sticky rubber soles to offer maximum grip, the shoes also feature a Shoc-Pad for cushioning while on the uppers, flexible armor has been introduced in the key wear areas. Adding to this, Teva has incorporated ion-mask™ to ensure that however wet the conditions are underfoot the wearer remains dry and comfortable.
The Links are due for launch in the UK in early August 2011 but they are already being reviewed online, including Bike Rader and Outdoors Magic and if you are in America, then they are available from the official Teva site.
You can find out more about Teva here or watch their official video below:
Want to know more about ion-mask™?
ion-mask™ is our technology for lifestyle applications including footwear, textiles, gloves, hats and apparel. You can find out more on the ion-mask™ page or watch the technology in action below:
P2i
Founded by a guide on the Colorado River in 1984 (who went on to produce the world's first sports sandal), Teva now lead the way in which we can engage with our environments, especially those involving water.
As Chris Hillyer, Product Line Manager for Performance Products at Teva describes it: "Water presents a paradox to Teva. It provides a year round playground but also a number of challenges, as anyone who has ever ended up with soaking wet shoes can confirm."
With this problem in mind, Teva have taken their product development one step further with the introduction of our ion-mask™ technology to their latest range of shoes for mountain biking - the Links.
The Links bike shoe is Teva's first venture into mountain biking footwear and has been designed in conjunction with professional mountain biker Jeff Lenosky, also known as the 'father' of freeride mountain biking and creator of the Mountain Games. Teva, have sponsored the games for the last five years and it is now recognized as one of the premier freeride competitions in the country.
 |
| Teva's Links Mountain Bike Shoe |
The Links are due for launch in the UK in early August 2011 but they are already being reviewed online, including Bike Rader and Outdoors Magic and if you are in America, then they are available from the official Teva site.
You can find out more about Teva here or watch their official video below:
Want to know more about ion-mask™?
ion-mask™ is our technology for lifestyle applications including footwear, textiles, gloves, hats and apparel. You can find out more on the ion-mask™ page or watch the technology in action below:
P2i
So what is Nanotechnology?
on Wednesday, May 4, 2011
In this blog we have spoken about our two technologies ion-mask™ and Aridion™ but we haven't discussed what nanotechnology is or how it works.
Nanotechnology is the science of engineering matter on an astonishingly small scale - at the molecular or atomic level. To break it down further a nanometer (nm) is a unit of length equal to one billionth of a meter or one millionth of a millimeter. To put it another way, it is about one thousand times thinner than a human hair.
The term 'nano' comes from the Greek, meaning 'dwarf' and in the below video from 1977 entitled 'Power of Ten' demonstrates the magnitudes of size, where you can see for yourself just how small a nanometer really is:
Where did nanotechnology all begin?
The concept of nanotechnology or engineering from the bottom up, with atomic precision, was first suggested as long ago as 1959 by the renowned American physicist Richard Feynman. Famously, he delivered a ground breaking talk to the American Physical Society, entitled: There's plenty of room at the bottom which explored the ability to manipulate matter on an atomic scale.
But it was not until a 1974 paper that the term nanotechnology was first defined by Tokyo University of Science Professor Norio Taniguchi. Then, in the 1980's the term nanotechnology was popularized by the American engineer Dr. Kim Eric Erexler who promoted the significance of nanotechnology through speeches and books.
What is next for nanotechnology?
Research on nanotechnology is continually expanding, covering a number of fields including medicine, electronics, textiles, biomaterials and energy production. Even in the home, nanotechnology is present with nano-chemical sprays being developed that can digest grease and grime from kitchen surfaces, preventing them from coming back!
Over the next few years we can expect to see nanotechnologies becoming an increasing part of our lives. The unbelievably small is set to become the next big thing!
If you would like to know more about our world leading liquid repellent nano-coating technology, please do get in contact or you can find out more about our technology in the video below:
Dr Stephen Coulson, CTO
Nanotechnology is the science of engineering matter on an astonishingly small scale - at the molecular or atomic level. To break it down further a nanometer (nm) is a unit of length equal to one billionth of a meter or one millionth of a millimeter. To put it another way, it is about one thousand times thinner than a human hair.
The term 'nano' comes from the Greek, meaning 'dwarf' and in the below video from 1977 entitled 'Power of Ten' demonstrates the magnitudes of size, where you can see for yourself just how small a nanometer really is:
Where did nanotechnology all begin?
The concept of nanotechnology or engineering from the bottom up, with atomic precision, was first suggested as long ago as 1959 by the renowned American physicist Richard Feynman. Famously, he delivered a ground breaking talk to the American Physical Society, entitled: There's plenty of room at the bottom which explored the ability to manipulate matter on an atomic scale.
But it was not until a 1974 paper that the term nanotechnology was first defined by Tokyo University of Science Professor Norio Taniguchi. Then, in the 1980's the term nanotechnology was popularized by the American engineer Dr. Kim Eric Erexler who promoted the significance of nanotechnology through speeches and books.
What is next for nanotechnology?
Research on nanotechnology is continually expanding, covering a number of fields including medicine, electronics, textiles, biomaterials and energy production. Even in the home, nanotechnology is present with nano-chemical sprays being developed that can digest grease and grime from kitchen surfaces, preventing them from coming back!
Over the next few years we can expect to see nanotechnologies becoming an increasing part of our lives. The unbelievably small is set to become the next big thing!
If you would like to know more about our world leading liquid repellent nano-coating technology, please do get in contact or you can find out more about our technology in the video below:
Dr Stephen Coulson, CTO
'Running on Water' - Hi-Tec's Liquid Mountaineering featured on MythBusters
on Tuesday, April 26, 2011
'Liquid Mountaineering', launched last April as a viral on YouTube, has taken the world by storm. With nearly 10 million views to date, it has even started a new sports phenomenon with a whole host of videos emerging of attempts to run on water, including Liquid Mountaineering arrives in America; Ripple Runner and St. Andrews Surface Tension.
While all are very good, it is the original that has really captured the imagination:
All this exposure has caught the attention of Discovery Channel's 'MythBusters' program who were keen to put the myth to the test - can you actually run on water?
As you can see from the amount of views and spin-offs video that the viral has generated, it is a question that many people want an answer to. So on Wednesday's edition of MythBusters, the episode entitled 'Running on Water' was aired. You can see highlights from the after show edition below:
The viral all stems from Hi-Tec's development of their Infinity range which includes P2i's ion-mask™ technology or the 'totally water repellent coating' that is mentioned in the video. From this the 'Walk on Water' idea was born and a few months later Hi-Tec revealed all with the 'Making of Hi-Tec Liquid Mountaineering'...
Awarded the coveted: Best Viral Mockumentary from Ad Age, Liquid Mountaineering has been a huge success for Hi-Tec and the coverage on MythBusters tops off a very successful campaign.
Want to know more about the shoes featured in the video? You can see the collection and learn about the Infinity story here.
While all are very good, it is the original that has really captured the imagination:
All this exposure has caught the attention of Discovery Channel's 'MythBusters' program who were keen to put the myth to the test - can you actually run on water?
As you can see from the amount of views and spin-offs video that the viral has generated, it is a question that many people want an answer to. So on Wednesday's edition of MythBusters, the episode entitled 'Running on Water' was aired. You can see highlights from the after show edition below:
The viral all stems from Hi-Tec's development of their Infinity range which includes P2i's ion-mask™ technology or the 'totally water repellent coating' that is mentioned in the video. From this the 'Walk on Water' idea was born and a few months later Hi-Tec revealed all with the 'Making of Hi-Tec Liquid Mountaineering'...
Awarded the coveted: Best Viral Mockumentary from Ad Age, Liquid Mountaineering has been a huge success for Hi-Tec and the coverage on MythBusters tops off a very successful campaign.
Want to know more about the shoes featured in the video? You can see the collection and learn about the Infinity story here.
K-Swiss picks up the pace with P2i
on Thursday, April 21, 2011
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:
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
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| Kwicky Blade-Light |
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| 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
Infinite Possibilities with Hi-Tec and ion-mask™
on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
For any runner the correct footwear is essential as a wrong purchase can lead to blisters, sprains or worse and for trail runners this takes on even more significance as the terrain is undulating, filled with among other things; rocks, mud and water.
In this environment, footwear really must be up to the task, offering stability over and on rocks, grip through mud and loose surfaces, as well as liquid repellent benefits when faced with water (rain, streams or puddles).
It is with this in mind that Hi-Tec has developed the Infinity collection, designed with trail runner's comfort in mind. Incorporating a number of ground breaking technologies including ion-mask™, the Infinity range offers the highest levels of comfort by setting the standard for the ultimate lightweight shoe for adventure sports performance:
Hi-Tec, who were the first leading brand to bring ion-mask™ to the consumer marketplace with their V-Lite hiking range, have again incorporated the liquid repellent benefits that the world leading technology offers. ion-mask™ has been applied to all HPi models and thanks to the technology, the shoes will remain dryer, lighter and cleaner when out on the trail.
While we of course carry out rigorous testing, Hi-Tec sought further third party validation and this testing proved that water uptake is reduced by 87.66% when compared to an untreated shoe.
In addition to this, the shoes also feature Vibram soles and S.U.Z.E (Seamless Upper Zone Engineering) which is unique to Hi-Tec. You can find out more about the technologies here.
Two shoes that make up the Infinity range are the men's and women's V-Lite Infinity HPi which can be seen below:
In this environment, footwear really must be up to the task, offering stability over and on rocks, grip through mud and loose surfaces, as well as liquid repellent benefits when faced with water (rain, streams or puddles).
It is with this in mind that Hi-Tec has developed the Infinity collection, designed with trail runner's comfort in mind. Incorporating a number of ground breaking technologies including ion-mask™, the Infinity range offers the highest levels of comfort by setting the standard for the ultimate lightweight shoe for adventure sports performance:
Hi-Tec, who were the first leading brand to bring ion-mask™ to the consumer marketplace with their V-Lite hiking range, have again incorporated the liquid repellent benefits that the world leading technology offers. ion-mask™ has been applied to all HPi models and thanks to the technology, the shoes will remain dryer, lighter and cleaner when out on the trail.
While we of course carry out rigorous testing, Hi-Tec sought further third party validation and this testing proved that water uptake is reduced by 87.66% when compared to an untreated shoe.
In addition to this, the shoes also feature Vibram soles and S.U.Z.E (Seamless Upper Zone Engineering) which is unique to Hi-Tec. You can find out more about the technologies here.
Two shoes that make up the Infinity range are the men's and women's V-Lite Infinity HPi which can be seen below:
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A fully interactive micro-site has also been built specifically for the collection, here you can find out more behind the Infinity story, including the now famous Liquid Mountaineering viral video as well as the details on all the technologies involved - www.hi-tec.com/infinity.
A fully interactive micro-site has also been built specifically for the collection, here you can find out more behind the Infinity story, including the now famous Liquid Mountaineering viral video as well as the details on all the technologies involved - www.hi-tec.com/infinity.
We are delighted that Hi-Tec has incorporated ion-mask™ technology to this industry changing collection and we would be eager to hear your thoughts on how they performed for you.
You can learn more about ion-mask™ here or visit our YouTube channel and watch our Lifestyle video.
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