Spyder, a popular skiwear company, has developed an impact suit that is designed to help protect U.S. and Canadian skiers. Spyder worked exclusively with d3o Labs to produce the suit that flows normally but will harden in a fall.

The new material is called d3o -- a mixture of viscous liquid and a polymer. The exact chemical contents of d3o are currently a secret, but many researchers believe that the suit truly is revolutionary. After the material was synthesized, it is poured into a mould for the specific body part it will protect. The molecules are normally free flowing, but will lock if an object attempts to move through the liquid too quickly. In practice, whenever a high speed object collides with the liquid, a hard armor-like pad forms.

This news article was written on February 17, 2006, quoting New Scientist.