Lycra is a registered brand name for a polyurethane-based synthetic fiber that's also called spandex or elastane. The DuPont Company first developed Lycra in 1958 to replace latex rubber as a stretching agent in clothes. It's also prized for its strength and durability. Though you may think of shiny leotards and biking shorts when you think of Lycra, the elastic fabric is present in many garments.

Lycra can be mixed with cotton, and very well to be applied for clothes and shoes, as its outstanding performance such as fast dry, comfortable…

It is soft and can be stretched, although it is expensive, people like using it to make better products.

ETC fabric is not very common on market, but we should introduce it briefly here, as it is very excellent. ETC fabric is very expensive, more than 6 times than other common ones, but its performance is obvious. 

Anti-bacterial is one shining point of this fabric, it is not like other fabric has to be processed and then possese the the function, ETC fabric owns this function without any processing. 

Lower friction, as we know friction can lead heat, that why we feel hot when wearing some shoe insoles, that's because of heat. With low friction, ETC fabric could bring you cool feeling.

Breathble and fast dry. 

This kind of material was named very good, but it is not as good as other foam materials like ORTHOLITE or PORON, just because it is made with some kind of new raw materials mixed with recycled materials and compress to a certain stiffness materials. 

But this kind materials is also very breathable and sold with very competitive prices, so that we can use them for some developing market. 

Most of this kind material can not be as soft and strong as new materials, it is harder. 

What is aerogel
Aerogel is a special gel that replaces the liquid in the gel with gas without essentially changing the network structure or volume of the gel itself. one of the solid materials. It is also sometimes called "solid smoke" or "frozen smoke" because of its translucent color and ultra-light weight. Aerogels (aerogels) and dry gels (xerogels) are not the same concept. Wet gels are aerogels obtained by supercritical drying, and dry gels are obtained by atmospheric drying. Strictly speaking, aerogels should be bulk structures, while xerogels are generally powders or granules.​​
Due to its cumbersome and lengthy preparation process, high price and brittleness, etc., it has not attracted the attention of the industry for a long time. It was not until the advent of supercritical drying that aerogels caught the attention of researchers. The supercritical drying method can quickly and mass produce aerogel materials with precise size, arbitrary shape and complete structure. This new material looks fragile, but it is actually very strong and durable. Aerogels of different compositions can withstand different temperatures. Common silica aerogels can be used in the range of absolute zero to 650 °C. Some types of aerogels The glue can withstand high temperature up to 1400 ℃. It is gratifying that, unlike other new materials, the industrialization level of aerogel materials in my country is almost synchronized with the world, and it shows a good trend of catching up and surpassing. The first commercial aerogel company in my country was established in 2004.
Aerogels can be divided into three categories according to their components: inorganic aerogels, organic aerogels and composite aerogels. The most typical and most studied aerogels are single-component SiO2 aerogels and carbon aerogels (organic aerogels).​​

Characteristics of Aerogels
1. The porosity is very high, up to 99.8%; scientists say that because it has millions of pores and wrinkles, if you take 1 cubic centimeter of aerogel apart, it will fill a football field. big place. Its tiny pores not only trap pollutants like a sponge, but also act as air pockets. The researchers believe that some forms of aerogels made of platinum could be used to accelerate hydrolysis and hydrogen production. In this way, aerogels can be used to produce hydrogen-based fuels.
2. Nano-scale holes and three-dimensional nano-framework particles;
3. High specific surface area;
4. Low density;
5. The unique structure of aerogel determines its extremely low thermal conductivity, which can be as low as 0.013W/(m·K) at room temperature, which is lower than the thermal conductivity of air.

Each step you take involves a complex network of bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This, combined with all of the weight they carry, explains why feet can have problems. To keep your feet healthy

• Examine your feet regularly
• Wear comfortable shoes that fit
• Wash your feet daily with soap and lukewarm water
• Trim your toenails straight across and not too short

Your foot health can be a clue to your overall health. For example, joint stiffness could mean arthritis. Tingling or numbness could be a sign of diabetes. Swelling might indicate kidney disease, heart disease, or high blood pressure.

Good foot care and regular foot checks are an important part of your health care. If you have foot problems, be sure to talk to your doctor.

Athlete's foot is a common infection caused by a fungus. It most often affects the space between the toes. Symptoms include itching, burning, and cracked, scaly skin between your toes.

You can get athlete's foot from damp surfaces, such as showers, swimming pools, and locker room floors. To prevent it

• Keep your feet clean, dry, and cool
• Wear clean socks
• Don't walk barefoot in public areas
• Wear flip-flops in locker room showers
• Keep your toenails clean and clipped short

Treatments include over-the-counter antifungal creams for most cases and prescription medicines for more serious infections. These usually clear up the infection, but it can come back.

Children’s feet are not the same as adults’ feet. Babies' and toddlers' feet are soft and pliable because the bones are not yet completely formed. This means their feet can be more easily damaged than the feet of older children e.g. by shoes that are too tight. Here are some tips for taking care of your child’s feet.

Shoes and socks

Toddlers do not need shoes indoors when they first start to walk. Letting them go barefoot or wearing socks alone helps their feet   grow normally and encourages their toes to develop a grasping action.

• Feet grow rapidly during childhood. Check that your child’s shoes fit properly every one to 3 months up to the age of 3 years, every 4 months between 3 and 5 years and every 6 months for children aged over 5.
• Make sure children wear fresh cotton socks daily and that they air their shoes overnight — this can help reduce skin problems.

• When choosing shoes for children, there should be about 1 cm ‘growing room’ between the longest toe and the end of the shoe. The shoe should also fit the foot’s natural shape, especially around the toes.

• Always have both of your child’s feet measured for length and width. Note that a child's left and right foot are unlikely to be exactly the same size.

• Never "hand down" shoes from one child to another.

• Uneven wear and tear on the heel of a shoe may indicate a foot problem that should be checked with a doctor or podiatrist.

Walking problems

• Flat feet are common in children, but are not necessarily a problem. Arch development will likely stabilise by the age of 6 or 7 years. However, take your child to a doctor or podiatrist if flat feet are causing pain or affecting your child’s walking or other activities.

• Most toddlers who walk with their feet pointed inwards (in-toeing or "pigeon toes") or with their feet pointed outwards (out-toeing) and those who appear to have bow legs, will be walking normally by the time they are 2. Take your child to a doctor or podiatrist if these walking patterns persist beyond the age of 2 or you are worried.

• Children walking on their toes can also be just a phase, but the Australasian Podiatry Council says it is "not normal" and recommends review by a podiatrist.

• Knock knees are normal in children aged 2 to 7 years. If the condition causes the foot to roll or be painful, orthoses (orthotics) may be advised.

• Signs that your child may have a problem needing investigation include frequent tripping and falling, withdrawing from sport and recreation, or lagging well behind other children during sport and play.

Corns and calluses

Painful areas on the feet can be a great source of misery, making walking uncomfortable. Sufferers are often reluctant to take regular exercise.

Among the most common causes of sore feet are calluses and corns. These are raised areas of local thickening of the surface layer of the skin. This layer is known as the keratin layer. When it becomes thickened the condition is known as hyperkeratosis.

Calluses and corns are usually found in places where there is friction or pressure. They are usually the result of badly fitting shoes, but can also occur if your feet are abnormally shaped. They are sometimes found on other parts of the body where friction occurs, for example, on the fingers of guitar players.

Calluses are bigger than corns and are usually found on the bottom (sole) of the foot, either around the heel or around the front of the foot at the base of the first and fourth toes — places where pressure occurs.

Corns are smaller and often have a central core, or ‘plug’, of keratin, which can be seen. The top of the fifth toe (where it gets squashed by tight shoes) is the most common site for a corn. Sometimes they are found between the toes, where they can be extremely painful.

Treatment of corns and calluses

The best way to treat corns and calluses is to remove the hard keratin on a regular basis. This can be done by ‘shaving’ with a sharp, preferably sterile, blade. This is best done by a doctor or podiatrist. For those who prefer the do-it-yourself approach, a pumice stone can be used to do the job. Various preparations are available to help soften the areas of hyperkeratosis. These usually contain salicylic acid, which is present in corn plasters.

Although the discomfort of calluses and corns is often easily fixed, the problem will inevitably come back if the underlying problem, usually wearing the wrong pair of shoes, is not corrected. If changing shoes does not help, seeing a podiatrist may be helpful.

Diabetic conditions affecting the legs and feet

The feet and legs are common sites for complications in people with diabetes mellitus and for this reason good foot care is very important. An injury to the foot or leg can be painful, but in people suffering from diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) the sensations are dulled and minor injuries often go undetected and untreated, potentially leading to more serious damage.

Loss of temperature sensation is also a significant risk factor for injury in people with diabetes. This can result in a person being unaware that the bath water they are stepping into is scalding them. They may also be at risk of developing severe burns after sitting too close to a heater.

Special attention is needed to prevent circulatory disorders and infections that commonly occur in the lower extremities of people with diabetes. Areas with poor circulation heal badly and, if left unattended, such injuries may develop into ulcers or even become gangrenous.

Do not ignore pain in the feet or legs as this may indicate a problem. Corn plasters should not be used as they may cause foot ulcers.

Good foot care

Good foot care is vitally important for people with diabetes. Every day, wash your feet in warm (not hot) water. If you notice a callus forming, you can try to gently remove it (for example, with a pumice stone). However, once formed, calluses should only be treated by professionals. After washing, apply a moisturiser to your feet, but avoid moisturising between your toes. When you cut your toenails, cut straight across and file down any sharp edges.

Always wear shoes and socks, and choose your shoes carefully. Shoes should be large enough to be comfortable, but not large enough to be slipping off. They should have resilient (but not soft) insoles, and be smooth on the inside, with no rough areas.

Check your feet each night, looking for:

• dry, scaly, red, itching or cracked skin;

• areas where something has been rubbing on your feet;

• blisters;

• cuts or abrasions;

• corns or calluses;

• infections;

• thickened or discoloured nails;

• blueness or any swelling; and

• any red, hot or swollen areas.

If your vision is poor, get someone to check for you.

Any breaks in the skin need to be treated straight away, so see your doctor or podiatrist. Also, try to work out what might have caused the problem so that you can prevent it happening again. If one of your feet is hot and swollen, check it again the next day — see your doctor if it remains hot and swollen.

Your feet should also be examined regularly by a doctor, diabetes specialist or podiatrist. Your doctor or podiatrist can advise you on foot care and also on the selection of appropriate footwear.

Here is a list of quick questions to help you check the health of your feet.

1. Do you have pain in your feet?
2. Are you on your feet all day?
3. Do you have skin or nail problems (ingrown or discoloured toenails, corns, skin rashes, areas of hard skin) on your feet?
4. Do you have any sores on your feet that are not healing?
5. Do you have foot odour?
6. Do you have a foot injury?
7. Do you have health problems such as diabetes or arthritis?
8. Do you have numbness, tingling or burning in your feet?
9. Do your feet have poor circulation - are they unusually pale, blue or red?
10. Do you trip or fall often?
11. Do you have problems finding shoes that fit comfortably?
12. Do you have lumps or bumps, bunions or misshapen toes?
13. Do you regularly wear heels that are 5 cm (2 inches) or higher?
14. If you have answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, see a podiatrist or your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.