The NFL announced the winners of its third HeadHealthTECH Challenge, a contest aimed at advancing innovation in sports protective equipment. The challenge is part of the NFL’s Play Smart, Play Safe initiative in collaboration with Duke University’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute (Duke CTSI).
The winners, AES Research & Design, HRL Laboratories, and Impressio, Inc., will each receive a research grant and the chance to work hand-in-hand with Duke CTSI.
Congratulations to the winners of #HeadHealthTECH Challenge III! Learn how @NFL, FRI and @DUKE_CTSI are helping innovators develop novel equipment designs: https://t.co/qn6kFLFz2i
— NFL345 (@NFL345) March 29, 2018
“Through grant awards to the winners, and the mentorship and feedback from Duke CTSI to each company that submits, the TECH Challenge series continues to serve as an innovative engine in the advancement of sports safety protective equipment,” said Jeff Miller, NFL Executive VP of Health and Safety Initiatives, in a statement. “The winners of TECH Challenge III showcase a range of promising materials designed to absorb and reduce impact, and we are proud to support their development.”
Here’s what you need to know about the winners:
–AES Research & Design: AES is in the process of designing a helmet that lowers rotational forces when a players’ head is contacted. The anti-rotational kinetic, or ARK, helmet has been created in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University’s Extreme Materials Institute.
–HRL Laboratories: HRL is the creator of three-dimensional lattice padding. Their tech is supposed to be a large step above normal padding due to its improved energy absorption.
Impressio Inc.: Impressio, a materials engineering company, is using liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) to create a safer foam helmet lining. The material is extremely malleable and is programmable to be crushed or return to its original form in 1-2 seconds. Impressio plans on using this foam in equipment other than helmets, such as shoulder pads. In February, the company received a $50,000 grant from the NFL for winning the 1st and Future tech competition.
SportTechie Takeaway:
Helmet design has been the primary way of preventing serious head injuries on the gridiron. Companies like VICIS and Riddell, among many others, have honed in on making more effective head protection.
You might recognize VICIS’ rather bulky-looking helmets that were worn last season by players like Alex Smith and Golden Tate. Their helmet ranked first among 33 that were analyzed based on reduction of head impact severity as part of NFL/NFLPA testing. Players at the high school, college and professional level have begun wearing VICIS, which received an investment from the Seattle Seahawks’ Doug Baldwin.
Riddell is using 3D scanning to create personalized helmets for athletes. Learn more here:
Suggested further reading:
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NFL Names VyaTek Sports, Guardian Innovations Winners Of HeadHealthTECH Challenge I