Overview

Bioelectric Activation

ZnTech™ is built on a clear scientific premise. The body is bioelectric, and the skin is an active electrochemical environment. Our technology activates a functional interface.

ZnTech™ uses the natural oxidation of elemental zinc. When exposed to skin, moisture, and oxygen, the zinc generates continuous low-level microcurrent at the surface — whether it is embedded in a polymer yarn worn against the skin, or coated onto a wound care dressing in contact with tissue. This creates a localized electric field at the skin interface, with applications relevant to performance, recovery, hygiene, and emerging therapeutic formats.

Core Mechanism

The Zinc-Oxygen Battery Effect

ZnTech™ leverages a fundamental bioelectric reaction. Elemental zinc — either embedded within polyester yarn for textile applications, or applied as zinc particles coated onto carrier materials for wound care — undergoes oxidation when exposed to moisture and oxygen at the skin surface. This oxidation reaction — the same principle governing a zinc-oxygen battery (Korall et al., US Patent 5,445,901) — generates electrochemical potential.

That potential generates an electric field with continuous low level microcurrent generation during wear. Measured voltage at the skin surface ranges from 0.17 to 0.6 volts, producing current delivery of 3-7 microamps, a range that mimics the body’s natural current of 2 to 10 microamps (Richter, 1929; Fish & Geddes, 2003).

No electronics. No battery pack. No charging cycle. A passive material response activated by normal wear conditions — particularly by moisture such as sweat.

How It Works

A Three-Step Bioelectric System

STEP 1

Activation

When the Zinc comes in contact with skin and moisture (including sweat), a micro-scale bioelectric interaction occurs. The skin acts as a conductive partner. The body becomes part of the circuit. Essentially, a zinc-oxygen battery is created.

STEP 2

Microcurrent Generation

This interaction produces low-level microcurrent stimulation — self-generated, self-regulating, and continuous during wear.

No batteries.
No wires.
No charging.

STEP 3

Physiological Interface

These microcurrents create a localized electric field at the skin surface, designed to interact with the body’s natural signaling environment. Key advantages include:

Localized Circulation Support
Skin-Level Stimulation (Collagen Support)
Restoration Of Bioelectric Balance
Moisture And Odor Control
Hygienic Wear Environment (Bacteria And Fungi Protection)

No wires. No batteries. No device.

science engineered
into the fabric

Architecture

Embedded in Textiles

What differentiates ZnTech™ is how the elemental zinc is integrated into the material — and this differs purposefully between the two application formats.

For textiles, elemental zinc is embedded directly into polymer based yarns during the yarn manufacturing process — forming the ZnTech™ yarn. This is not a coating applied to a finished fiber, not a surface print, and not a temporary treatment. The zinc is integral to the yarn structure itself. This is why the technology is designed to remain active through repeated use and laundering: the zinc is in the yarn, not on it.

For wound care, elemental zinc particles are coated onto carrier materials like collagen matrices and hydrocolloids using Ion Technologies’ proprietary process. This is designed to deliver consistent zinc distribution for reliable microcurrent generation in the wound environment, while preserving the carrier’s core wound care function.

Functional Effects

The Bioelectric Effects of ZnTECH^™

Enhanced perfusion

Enhanced Perfusion

Vasodilation increases local blood flow: more oxygen and nutrients delivered, more cellular waste cleared. Validated by ~2°C surface temperature rise in IPS thermography.

Cellular Bioenergetics

Microcurrent stimulates mitochondrial ATP production and protein synthesis (Cheng et al., 1982): cells have the energy to repair and rebuild.

Growth factor upregulation

Drives expression of VEGF (angiogenesis), TGF-β (collagen synthesis), and FGF (fibroblast activation) → orchestrates the proliferation phase of healing.

MMP / TIMP rebalancing

Reduces destructive matrix metalloproteinase activity (a hallmark of chronic, stalled wounds) while increasing protective tissue inhibitors.

Fibroblast activation & collagen/elastin synthesis

Direct stimulation of fibroblasts → increased type I collagen and elastin → stronger ECM, better skin integrity, less scarring.

Nerve stimulation & pain modulation

Direct microcurrent effects on peripheral nerves → documented benefit for diabetic neuropathy and myofascial pain.

Iontophoretic transport

Voltage gradient drives ionic molecules through the stratum corneum → enhanced delivery of drugs, antimicrobials, and bioactive compounds. Validated in IPS crystal violet and Estée Lauder serum studies.

Broad Spectrum Microbial Protection

Electric field plus zinc ion release disrupts bacterial membranes, inhibits fungal growth, and inactivates enveloped viruses (ISO 18184 validation against H1N1, H3N2, HCoV NL-63, HCoV OC-43, Feline Calicivirus).

Innate immune support

Stimulates keratinocyte production of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and modulates inflammatory cytokines: defense without excessive inflammation.

Competitive Advantage

Material and Solution Innovation

No device required

Continuous bioelectric activation without batteries, wires, or charging. The material is the technology.

ZnTech Embedded in Polymer yarn, not coated

Zinc is integral to the yarn structure — not a surface treatment that washes away. Designed for durability across repeated use

Self-regulating output

Current delivery naturally increases with moisture and exertion — responding when it matters most

Platform scalability

Technological principle applicable across textiles, wound care, iontophoresis patches, and future therapeutic formats

Low Cost and Low complexity manufacturing

No electronics, no hardware lifecycle. Fundamentally different cost structure.

Protected IP

Patented architecture with over two decades of development and clinical application

Explore Ion Textiles

Explore Ion Woundcare

Tested. Documented. Trusted

A Disciplined Approach
to Innovation

We distinguish carefully between what is under evaluation, what is supported by testing, and what is informed by real user experience. Our goal is not to overstate. It is to build a platform that can stand up to technical, commercial, and clinical scrutiny.

View Testing and References