Advanced Cerametrics Corporation (ACI), a supplier of advanced engineered ceramic materials, has announced that the Austrian Ski Team will utilise Head Intelligence skis with its smart active fibres at the Winter Olympics. The fibres, a new power source technology, called piezoelectric fibre composites (PFC's), are embedded in the Head Intelligence line of skis. Combined with power conversion electronics the fibres actively control torsional stability as skier's race downhill.

The new technology is deemed legal by sporting authorities because it does not involve any external power sources. Rather, the piezo fibres harvest the energy of the constantly changing speed, terrain and snow conditions and convert it to control torsional stability effectively keeping the ski edge on the snow longer.

Piezoelectric fibres are a relatively new smart material that enables energy to be harvested from ambient motion, vibration and strain. Mission critical loads or harsh environments are ideal applications as the piezo power source can eliminate the need for batteries. The technology is inexpensive, reliable and robust.