Dow Corning to present “smart impact protection textiles” at IntertechPira’s Smart and Intelligent Textiles Conference

Dow Corning Corporation’s Impact Protection Business Development Manager Dr. Liz Mallen will present “Smart impact protection textiles: combining comfort and protection” at IntertechPira’s 2nd annual Smart and Intelligent Textile conference this December.

Mallen will introduce Dow Corning® Active Protection System, the patented unique “smart” technical textile that provides an unprecedented combination of defense and comfort for personal impact-protection applications. The fabric remains soft and flexible under normal conditions, but hardens instantly upon impact to absorb and distribute energy over the entire protective area. When the impact force is removed, the material immediately returns to a flexible state.

“The Active Protection System marks a huge leap forward in personal impact protection,” said Mallen. “We believe it is the most effective and versatile technology available today – a true ‘fabric of the future’ that can substantially improve the quality of life for people all over the world in many different ways.”

In October 2006, Rukka, a Finland-based manufacturer of sports apparel, launched the first commercially available product to use Active Protection System fabric: the SRO Anatomic motorcycle riding suit. Mallen will discuss the case study behind this product launch. She will also present applications beyond motorcycling for the Active Protection System.

The Active Protection System was named to the R&D 100, recognizing it as one of the year’s most innovative technologies. From the top 100, the fabric also received the Most Innovative New Technology award. In June, Dow Corning Active Protection System received a 2007 Techtextil Innovation Award in the New Applications category.

Mallen’s presentation will take place at The Dorint Novotel Don Giovanni in Prague, Czech Republic. Sponsored by IntertechPira, the conference will cover the latest technologies and strategies in advanced textiles and nanotextiles.

For more information, visit
www.intertechpira.com.