Javier Mauricio Betancur

"According to data provided by the Columbian Leadership Against Mines, from 1990 to date anti-personnel mines have claimed 11,097 victims with a fatality rate of almost 20%.

In response to this, Mauricio Betancur´s company MARTE has created a shoe insole that absorbs the shock waves produced when mines are stepped on and consequently activated. The product model is inspired by the design of a turtle shell and “its geometry imitates fish scales in order to promote deflection thereby avoiding the impact created by shock waves”. These insoles can be used with any kind of footwear, and will be available next year at the price of 50 dollars a pair.

Members of the Faculty Administration at the Andes University (Colombia) have publicly recognized this project citing the impressive technology behind the design and the humanitarian value provided in the form of saving lives."