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MANUFACTURING & MATERIALS INNOVATION
T
he use of Celliant technology in
sports apparel has grown of
late and is now beginning a
move into sports shoes in the
form of linings and insoles. It is by no
means a new product but has struggled
to gain acceptance by many without
some hard medical evidence as to the
benefits claimed for it. Some positive
test results from various independent
medical bodies over the last two or
three years would appear to have
begun to break the log jam. Some
people, however, still have a problem
understanding how the technology
works as it appears, on the face of it, to
be more magic than logic and it’s
always hard to accept something you
do not understand.
Celliant technology is based on years
of research regarding the effect certain
wavelengths of light have on the body.
Past
clinical
studies
have
demonstrated that light appears to
reduce pain, speed healing, increase
energy and improve wellness in the
human body. Put in simple terms,
Celliant is a polymer fibre that contains
optically
active
micro-particles
comprising a patented mix of silica,
titanium dioxide and silicon carbide.
This mineral blend harnesses and
recycles infrared light emitted by the
human body.
THE MECHANISM
At a temperature of absolute zero
(-273ºC), all atoms in a solid object are
motionless and no energy is generated.
In the presence of energy in the form of
light or heat given off by the human
body, for instance, these atoms
become ‘excited’ and release photons
in the form of energy spread across the
entire
electromagnetic
(light)
spectrum. The distance between the
vibrations of individual light photons
emitted
corresponds
to
their
wavelength and hence their light
energy; the same light energy that has
been shown can reduce pain and
improve wellness in the human body.
Humans are homeotherms which are
able to keep their bodies at a constant
temperature and, in our case, this
means our core body temperature
occupies a narrow range either side of
37ºC. As a function of our metabolism,
our bodies therefore constantly produce
heat and light energy. This light energy
spontaneously converts into wave-
lengths across the entire electro-
magnetic spectrum, including IR
(infrared light), which has a wavelength
that is longer than visible red light and
is invisible to the human eye.
Using this constant source of light
energy, Celliant fabrics or linings have
been shown to increase oxygen levels
in the skin, underlying tissue and
muscle, without any need for exposure
to natural light in order to gain their
source of IR light. This process occurs
as effectively in a dark room as in one
that is lit. If exposed to daylight, light
energy from the sun merely acts as an
additional source of IR.
A Celliant lining in a shoe could
therefore prove beneficial in improving
tissue oxygenation and circulation
while running or walking. Furthermore,
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WORLD FOOTWEAR | MARCH/APRIL 2012
PHOTO CREDIT PERFORMAXX
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