I love Colorado sports—the fans are so loyal and diehard.

I love Colorado sports—the fans are so loyal and diehard. Daniel | Pueblo, CO

DANIEL, WE Love COLORADO SPORTS, TOO. 

That’s why we’re working to revolutionize helmet technology to keep our athletes safe.  

Campus Location

Denver Denver
A machine tests a football helmet
External Link CU Denver Startup is an Awardee of NFL Helmet Challenge

CU Denver’s mechanical engineering professor, Chris Yakacki, and his startup, Impressio, were awarded $1.55 million by the NFL to improve helmet safety.  

Founded in 2017, Impressio uses innovative Liquid Crystal Elastomers (LCEs) to make helmets more impact resistant. This elastic material absorbs and dissipates energy, reducing concussion risk by lining helmets to absorb force during collisions better. 

Impressio’s design combines LCEs with a 3D-printed lattice for added comfort and custom fit. “We’re pushing helmet technology forward, thanks in part to talented CU Denver students and alumni who’ve been integral to this project,” says Yakacki. 

Impressio’s NFL Helmet Challenge grant of $454,000 will support scaling up production and commercialization, with the aim of bringing this next-generation helmet technology to NFL players soon.

Learn More About Engineering and Technology

Chris Yakacki inspects the inside of a football helmet
Two doctoral students inspect new material
A plastic model of a new lattice material that goes inside of a football helmet
A group photo of engineers who designed the new material