D3O — Mediated Wiki

{{Tone|date=October 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}} '''D3O''' is the namesake ingredient brand of British company D3O Lab, specializing in rate-sensitive impact protection technologies based on dilatant materials, also known as viscoelastic or shear thickening materials.<ref>{{cite web |title=D3O |url=https://www.d3o.com |website=D3O |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref>

The brand focuses on designing and adding materials, including foams, and elastomers in both set and formable designs<ref>{{cite web |title=D3O materials |url=https://www.d3o.com/partner-support/about-d3o/d3o-materials/ |website=D3O |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> to various products to improve their flexibility, durability, or impact-protection compared to unarmored, hard-armored, or foam-armored products. D3O is sold in multiple countries, it is used in sports and motorcycle gear, protective cases for consumer electronics, industrial workwear, and military protection, including helmet pads and limb protectors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Richard Palmer and Philip Green (UK) Finalists for the European Inventor Award 2019 |url=https://www.epo.org/learning-events/european-inventor/finalists/2019/palmer.html |website=European Patent Office |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Flexible armour that hardens on impact: Richard Palmer and Philip Green named European Inventor Award 2019 finalists |url=https://www.epo.org/news-events/press/releases/archive/2019/20190507h.html |access-date=11 February 2021 |website=European Patent Office}}</ref> Competitors also producing viscoelastic armor pads include RHEON, SAS-TEC, Knox MicroLock and TF impact armor.

==History== In 1999, the materials scientists Richard Palmer and Philip Green experimented with a dilatant non-Newtonian fluid. The fluid was free-flowing at rest but became instantly hard upon impact.

Palmer and Green drew inspiration from snowboarding and decided to replicate its matrix-like quality to develop a flexible material that incorporated the dilatant fluid. After experimenting with numerous materials and formulas, they invented a flexible, pliable material that locked together and solidified in the event of a collision.

When incorporated into clothing, the material moves with the wearer while providing protection similar to rigid armor and superior to foam armor when hit.

In 1999, A patent application was filed. D3O was used commercially for the first time by the United States Ski Team and the Canadian ski team at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games.<ref>{{cite web |title=US and Canadian skiers get smart armour |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn8721-us-and-canadian-skiers-get-smart-armour/ |website=New Scientist |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> D3O first entered the motorcycle market in 2009 when the ingredient was incorporated into CE-certified armour for the apparel brand Firstgear.<ref>{{cite web |title=First consumer product launched with d3o 'custard' armour |url=https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2009/september/sep1009-first-consumer-product-launched-with-d3o-custard-armour/ |website=Motorcycle News |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref>

Philip Green left D3O in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=Design Blue Limited |url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/03792408/filing-history?page=6 |website=Companies House |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> In 2009<ref>{{cite web |title=D3O: The Queen-honoured business exporting to over 40 countries |url=https://realbusiness.co.uk/d3o-the-queen-honoured-business-exporting-to-over-40-countries/ |website=Real Business |date=21 April 2015 |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> Stuart Sawyer became interim CEO. Palmer took a sabbatical in 2010<ref>{{cite web |title=Founder of d3o takes extended sabbatical |url=http://www.tornado-insider.com/press/presses.asp?pressid=11407 |website=Tornado Insider |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> and left the business in 2011,<ref>{{cite web |title=D3O Limited |url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/05627883/officers |website=Companies House |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> handing over full executive control to Sawyer. In April 2026 it was announced that Sawyer was retiring, and Matthieu Bazil was announced as CEO. Sawyer remains on the D3O Board as a Non-Executive Director.<ref>{{Cite web |title=#d3oprotected #giveitorange {{!}} D3O |url=https://www.linkedin.com/posts/d3o_d3oprotected-giveitorange-activity-7444775549010440192-InMP |access-date=2026-04-02 |website=LinkedIn |language=en}}</ref> In 2014, D3O was awarded £237,000 by the Technology Strategy Board—now known as Innovate UK—to develop a shock absorption helmet system prototype for the defence market to reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury.<ref>{{cite web |title=D3O Wins Smart Award From Technology Strategy Board To Reduce Traumatic Brain Injuries For Soldiers |url=https://soldiersystems.net/2014/02/11/d3o-wins-smart-award-technology-strategy-board-reduce-traumatic-brain-injuries-soldiers/ |website=Soldier Systems |date=11 February 2014 |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref>

in 2015, the private equity & venture capital investor Beringea invested and D3O shifted towards product development and international marketing.<ref>{{cite web |title=Beringea leads GBP13m funding round for D3O |url=https://www.privateequitywire.co.uk/2015/04/08/221117/beringea-leads-gbp13m-funding-round-d3o |website=Private Equity Wire |date=8 April 2015 |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> D3O opened headquarters in London,<ref>{{cite web |title=Design Blue Limited |url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/03792408/filing-history?page=2 |website=Companies House |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> which include test laboratories and house its global business functions.

The company began focusing more on the North American market<ref>{{cite web |title=This British company is making inroads into the US military impact protection market |url=https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/gearscout/2019/08/07/this-british-company-is-making-inroads-into-the-us-military-impact-protection-market/ |website=Military Times |date=7 August 2019 |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> and set up a new base of operations in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (VTCRC) in Blacksburg, Virginia.<ref>{{cite web |title=D3O expands global footprint with new operating base in U.S. |url=https://www.beringea.com/d3o-expands-global-footprint-with-new-operating-base-in-usa/ |website=Beringea |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> Phone case manufacturer and business partner Gear4 became the UK’s number 1 phone case brand in volume and value.<ref>{{cite web |title=STRAX brand Gear4 now UK's no. 1 phone case brand |url=https://www.strax.com/news/strax-brand-gear4-now-uks-no-1-phone-case-brand/#:~:text=Following%20the%20latest%20data%20released,taking%20them%20to%20the%20No. |website=STRAX | date=5 July 2017 |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref>

In 2017, D3O became part of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) committee which developed the first standard in North America for protecting hands from impact injuries: ANSI/ISEA 138-2019<ref>{{cite web |title=ISEA Releases New Glove Standard on Impact Performance |url=https://ohsonline.com/articles/2019/03/06/isea-launches-new-standard-to-improve-hand-impact-injury.aspx?admgarea=ht.HandProtection&m=1 |website=Occupational Health and Safety |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref>

D3O was acquired in September 2021 by independent private equity fund Elysian Capital III LP from the previous owners, ''Beringea US & UK'' and Entrepreneurs Fund.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leading Impact Protection Company D3O Acquired by Elysian Capital III LP |url=https://apnews.com/press-release/pr-newswire/technology-europe-business-b1e5eb20b2b253b4c3707d0284b82629 |website=AP News |date=20 September 2021 |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref>

==D3O applications==

D3O is used in electronics (impact protection for phones, laptops, and other electronic devices),<ref>{{cite web |title=Electronics protection |url=https://www.d3o.com/our-products/electronics/ |website=D3O |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> sports equipment,<ref>{{cite web |title=Sports Protection |url=https://www.d3o.com/our-products/sports-protection/ |website=D3O |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> motorcycle riding gear,<ref>{{cite web |title=Motorcycle protection |url=https://www.d3o.com/our-products/motorcycle-protection/ |website=D3O |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> defense (helmets, armor, footwear)<ref>{{cite web |title=Defence protection |url=https://www.d3o.com/our-products/defence/ |website=D3O |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> and industrial workwear (personal protective equipment such as gloves, knee pads and metatarsal guards for boots).<ref>{{cite web |title=How a new technology is setting the standard for hand protection |url=https://digitaledition.ishn.com/january-2021/hand-protection-feature/?oly_enc_id=1340C2933723G3V |website=Industrial Safety and Hygiene News |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Everything You Need to Know About The New ANSI ISEA 138 Impact Protection Standard |url=https://www.mcrsafety.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-ansi-isea-138--impact-protection-standard |website=MCR Safety |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref>

In 2020, D3O suppiled helmet suspension pads for the US Armed Forces' Integrated Helmet Protection System (IHPS).<ref>{{cite web |title=D3O Impact Protection Specified by US Army |url=https://soldiersystems.net/2020/10/01/d3o-impact-protection-specified-by-us-army/ |website=Soldier Systems |date=October 2020 |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref>

==Product development== D3O uses its patents to create consumer goods and partner with various companies and government agencies.

In-house laboratories<ref>{{cite web |title=Trusted impact protection |url=https://www.d3o.com/discover-d3o/trusted-impact-protection/ |website=D3O |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> check that D3O products meet CE standards for sports and motorcycle applications, ISEA 138 for industrial applications, and the requirements of militaries and police forces.

==Sponsorship== D3O sponsors athletes including: * Downhill mountain bike rider Tahnée Seagrave * Seth Jones, ice hockey defenseman and alternate captain for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL * Motorcycle racer Michael Dunlop, 33-times winner of the Isle of Man TT motorcycle race * The Troy Lee Designs team of athletes including three-times Red Bull Rampage winner Brandon Semenuk * Enduro rider Rémy Absalon, 12-times Megavalanche winner.<ref>{{cite web |title=Team D3O |url=https://www.d3o.com/team-d3o/ |website=D3O |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref>

==Awards and recognition== D3O has received the following awards and recognition: * 2014: Queen’s Award for Enterprise<ref>{{cite press release |title=D3O Lab: D3O Receives Queen's Award for Enterprise |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140421005397/en/D3O-Lab-D3O-Receives-Queen%E2%80%99s-Award-Enterprise |website=Business Wire |date=21 April 2014 |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> * 2016: Inclusion in the Sunday Times Tech Track 100 ‘Ones to Watch’ list<ref>{{cite web |title=Britain's fastest growing tech companies revealed |url=https://www.fasttrack.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016-Sunday-Times-Hiscox-Tech-Track-100-National-press-release.pdf |website=Fast Track |access-date=11 February 2021 |archive-date=3 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703210125/http://www.fasttrack.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016-Sunday-Times-Hiscox-Tech-Track-100-National-press-release.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> * 2017: T3 Awards together with Three: Best Mobile Accessory<ref>{{cite web |title=T3 Awards 2017 together with Three: Best Mobile Accessory |url=https://www.t3.com/features/t3-awards-2017-together-with-three-best-mobile-accessory |website=T3 |date=4 August 2017 |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> * 2018: British Yachting Awards – clothing innovation<ref>{{cite web |title=The British Yachting Awards 2018 |url=https://www.chelseamagazines.com/the-british-yachting-awards-2018/ |website=The Chelsea Magazine Company |date=12 December 2018 |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> * 2019: ISPO Award – LP2 Pro<ref>{{cite web |title=Awardees outdoor |url=https://www.ispo.com/en/awards/ispo-award/winners/ispo-award-2019-awardees-outdoor |website=ISPO |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> * 2020: Red Dot - Snickers Ergo Craftsmen Kneepads<ref>{{cite web |title=Red Dot Design Award: Ergo Craftsmen Kneepads |url=https://www.red-dot.org/project/ergo-craftsmen-kneepads-45735 |website=Red Dot Design Award |publisher=Red Dot |access-date=26 May 2023}}</ref> * 2022/2023: ISPO Textrends Award - Accessories & Trim<ref>{{cite web |title=Awardees Fall Winter 2022/2023 Accessories & Trims |url=https://www.ispo.com/en/awards/textrends/2022-23-fall-winter/awardees/trimsandaccessories |website=ISPO |access-date=11 February 2021}}</ref> *2023: IF Design Award - D3O Ghost Reactiv Body Protection <ref>{{cite web |title=iF Design - D3O GHOST REACTIV BODY PROTECTION |url=https://ifdesign.com/en/winner-ranking/project/d3o-ghost-reactiv-body-protection/566553 |website=iF Design - D3O GHOST REACTIV BODY PROTECTION |publisher=iF Design |access-date=26 May 2023}}</ref> * 2023: ISPO Award – D3O Ghost back protector<ref>{{cite web |title=Awardees outdoor |url=https://www.ispo.com/en/ispo-award-winner-d3o-ghost-back-protector |website=ISPO |access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Materials Category:Non-Newtonian fluids Category:Motorcycle apparel