Schoeller wins PV award for Energear technology
Switzerland-based Schoeller won the Innovation Award at the PV awards for its recently launched Energear technology. The award was presented on September 16 in Paris during Première Vision.
According to the company, every human body emits infrared rays, which are lost into the environment. Energear, which uses minerals such as titanium, is designed to bring this energy back to the body. It claims the technology gives the wearer a feeling of wellbeing and balance as well as aiding blood flow.
The company has completed a series of field tests on the product and is now collaborating with several universities to complete further tests. A company spokesperson told sportstextiles.com that Energear has been tested by one of its employees, a keen marathon runner, who says that the technology prevented his pulse rate from reaching its normal high levels during exercise and that he felt it improved his performance.
The same spokesperson said that Energear is similar to existing technology contained in wristbands and other small items but covers a larger surface area as it can be made into apparel items such as jackets and trousers. It can be applied as a finish, as a membrane or inside foam coating.
However, she explains that there are complications with a product such as this. “It’s one of those stories that some believe and others don’t,” she says. Another complexity is that it is very difficult to quantify the benefits in graph form as there currently isn’t a suitable measuring system for this type of technology.
