Sportwear brand Mizuno works in collaboration with Sumitomo Metal Mining and Kyodo Printing to create a special material meant to block infrared rays. This initiative ensures that the material will not be penetrated by the lens like traditional fabrics are. The new fabric is inspired by stealth aircraft technology as it integrated components that absorb and deflect infrared radiation to reduce the thermal signature created.
This makes it more complicated for infrared cameras to see through the uniform. To ensure that this is done correctly, various tests were demonstrated to highlight the fabric’s effectiveness. The main goal is to protect athlete’s privacy when they are competing and it also helps by regulating the body heat more effectively.
Image Credit: Mizuno