Allison Springer and Arthur at Rolex. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Charles Owen has been selected as one of five finalists in the Head Health Challenge III presented by the NFL, Under Armour, GE and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology. Each of the five winners will receive $250,000 to advance their work developing materials that will protect athletes, members of the military and others from impact injuries.
Charles Owen, a longstanding innovator in helmet and safety technology, was one of 125 entries into the contest. In coordination with Cardiff University and the University of Cambridge, Charles Owen developed cellular structures that use a stacked, origami-like design that optimizes impact absorption. Using 3D printing to build this product they are calling C3, the primary component is a double-corrugated sheet of the material that was originally developed for use in the space industry.
“I am so excited that the NFL has recognized our expertise and place in helping to reduce brain injury,” said Charles Owen’s Managing Director Roy Burek in an announcement. “It is through these special collaborations that we can develop the next generation of head protection. With concussion being such a world focus, I am proud that we can be a part of that story by developing solutions.”
Over the coming year, the five winners will work with the Head Health Challenge III partners to optimize their materials, and one winner will ultimately be selected to receive a $500,000 grand prize.
The purpose of the Head Health Challenge is to support the discovery, design and development of advanced materials that better absorb or dissipate impact. The Challenge is part of a four-year, $60 million collaboration between GE and the NFL dedicated to better understanding and preventing brain injuries.
Charles Owen has been at the forefront of helmet technology for many years, and we here at EN are glad to see their dedication to safety recognized. Advancements made through this project will undoubtedly benefit equestrian sports as experts around the globe work together to increase safety for all.
