A swimsuit called the “Sponge Suit” — which absorbs hazardous, oil-based debris from the water as the user swims through, cleaning the water in the process — is featured in the Philadelphia Eagles’ Swimsuit Calendar, which was released last week.
This technology was created using a hydrophobic, carbon based sponge-like material that is fitted by a 3D printer. As the wearable absorbs the toxins from within, it also repels water, allowing for an eco-friendly swimming experience. Additionally, the contaminants get trapped within the pores of the swimsuit’s material, preventing direct contact between the user’s skin and the collected debris.
The suit was designed by Eray/Carbajo — an architecture and design firm — in partnership with Sponge, Inc., which engineered the technology.
The Eagles cheerleading squad did its photo shoot in the Dominican Republic, where it participated in community efforts to provide access to clean water in the Village of Cajuil and Macao La Ceiba.
“As a professional sports team, we have a unique platform to serve as sustainability leaders through our ongoing Go Green efforts and commitment to the environment,” Christina Weiss Lurie, President Eagles Charitable Foundation, Eagles Social Responsibility, said in a statement. “Having the opportunity to help enhance the quality of life for residents of the Dominican Republic was a rewarding and educational experience for us. We believe that these innovative water filtration systems, along with the creativity seen in the Sponge Suit, will ignite conversation about the environment and further raise awareness.”
Featured on the cover of the Cheerleaders Calendar this year, while wearing the Sponge Suit, is Snow Feng, a physician assistant. Feng has a B.S. in biochemistry from the University of California at San Diego and an M.S. degree in physician assistant studies from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
“I’m very passionate about the Eagles Go Green efforts that I am involved in as a Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleader,” Feng was quoted as saying. “Being featured on the cover, wearing the technological Sponge Suit that was developed with technology to help clean polluted water, gives me a further opportunity to discuss the importance of sustainability. It will bring more awareness to the need for inventive solutions to environmental issues.”
The Eagles Cheerleaders are the first to be outfitted in technological Sponge Suit: https://t.co/3Zejqoqix7 pic.twitter.com/hYjbXjvIoV
— Eagles Cheer (@EaglesCheer) August 14, 2017