The British off-road brand inov-8 and the University of Manchester have jointly developed new shoes and recently introduced their new results. The world's first pair of sneakers made of graphene . Experts from the Graphene Institute at the University of Manchester recommended inov-8 A rubber sole reinforced with graphene, especially suitable for running and fitness Under the current test, the sneakers made of such soles exhibit better wear resistance in 1000 miles, which is 1.5 times higher than that of ordinary running shoes.
A movement with a graphite-reinforced rubber outsole (Source: University of Manchester)
Graphene is the thinnest material on the earth. Its strength is 200 times that of steel. It is an ultra-lightweight material. Inov-8 launches its G-series sneakers, which will also be the world’s first use of promise. Sports Brands for Bell Prize Materials. This series of shoes will be pre-sold from June 22, the official sales time is July 12.
In December last year, the company announced its plans to reform the sports footwear industry for the first time. After six months of expectation, inov-8 company has finally removed the mystery and showed the world these shoes that change the traditional concept.
Michael Price, director of product and marketing at inov-8, said: 'In the past 18 months, we have cooperated with the National Graphene Institute of the University of Manchester to bring the world's strongest technology to the sports footwear market.'
Dr. Aravind Vijayaraghavan of the University of Manchester Nanomaterials said: "Before this innovation, cross-country runners and fitness athletes must make a compromise between soft rubber and hard rubber. Soft rubber wears well in wet or sweaty situations, but Wear quickly, hard rubber is more durable, but grip is poor. Through extensive research, after hundreds of prototypes and thousands of hours of testing, athletes no longer need to compromise.
Through the incorporation of graphene, we introduced the G series rubber outsole. After scientific tests, Its strength is increased by 50%, elasticity is increased by 50%, and wear resistance is increased by 50%.We are very pleased to place graphene on the shelves of 250 retail stores around the world so that everyone can access it. Graphene is a versatile material with unlimited potential. In the coming years, we Graphene technology is expected to be offered in composites, coatings and sensors, many of which will further revolutionize sports products.
The G series consists of three different shoes, each of which is carefully designed to meet the needs of athletes. The MUDCLAW G 260 is designed for running on muddy mountains and obstacle course, TERRAULTRA G 260 is on the hard track. Long-distance running design, and F-LITE G 290 are designed for exercise in the gym. Each includes a graphite-reinforced rubber outsole and Kevlar fiber - a material used for bulletproof vests.
Inov-8 CEO Ian Bailey commented on the patent-pending technology and cooperation with the University of Manchester: “This formidable force forged in the north of England will sweep the global sports shoe market. We will be science and innovation. Combine together to counter major sports brands with entrepreneurial speed and agility - we will eventually win.
'We are at the forefront of the graphene sports shoe revolution. We will not stop at the rubber outsole. ' This is a four-year innovation project. We will add graphene to our range of 50% and make We have the potential to halve the weight of running/fitness shoes without affecting performance or durability.
Graphene is produced from graphite, which was mined more than 450 years ago in the northern England Lake District. Inov-8 was also developed in the same place in 2003. The brand is currently traded in 68 countries around the world.
Scientists who isolated graphene from graphite for the first time won the Nobel Prize in 2010. Based on their revolutionary work, a team of more than 300 employees from the University of Manchester has created projects in the fields of sports cars, medical devices and aircraft. Now, this university can add graphite-reinforced sneakers to the world’s top list.