Our goal is to make everyday life better for millions of people. Through higher levels of safety, comfort, and durability. We start with textiles and accessories, because we can build upon our scientific and business experience in this sector.
We integrate the latest discoveries and innovation in textiles and materials into apparel products and accessories.
Our first products are an antiviral fabric that eliminates viruses upon contact and prevents bacteria-induced skin irritations. And a nano-filter material with FFP2 level filtration yet way better breathability.
In essence: Science with a direct positive impact on your everyday live.
MEET OUR CHIEF SCIENTIST DR. DAVID SCHMELZEISEN
David is a textile materials specialist and inventor. He has been a researcher at the Institute of Textile Technology (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University. He focuses on additive production technologies that give textiles advanced functionalities.
At Upper Hand he ensures that our products hold what they promise: more protection, aesthetics and uncompromising comfort.
YOU WANT TO CONTACT HIM
Drop David a mail on david@upperhand.co and he will come back to you shortly.
THE PROBLEM
Viruses and bacteria can survive on textile surfaces for hours and sometimes even days. And this means: you can infect yourself when touching these contaminated surfaces and then transporting viruses and bacteria onto your skin, eyes, or nose.
HOW SOLVED TODAY?
Most people take single-use products (for example simple medical masks), which leads to a lot of garbage or completely ignores the fact of possible transfer of bacteria and viruses.
UPPER HAND SOLUTION
Antiviral Knit: A textile that disinfects itself. Viruses including Sars-CoV-2 and other microbes are deactivated upon contact. This means: a lower risk to touch a contaminated surface. And a lot less waste.
We firmly attach a special group of molecules to the surface of the textile, so called quaternary ammonium compounds.
They work similar to soap molecules and open the outer hull of viruses and bacteria through a high positive micro magnetic charge and “pop them like a balloon”.
They are safe to use, tested for skin compatibility according to ISO 10993, and biodegradable.
Discover products with Antiviral Knit
THE PROBLEM
Filters of single-use masks, so called melt-blown filters, need to be charged electromagnetically to attract and capture small particles like viral aerosols and bacteria. Once they get wet during use, their ability to capture and filter goes down significantly. This typically happens after a few hours of wear.
HOW SOLVED TODAY?
Most people take single use masks, which they throw away after they get wet. You cannot wash these filters, because the washing water makes the electromagnetic charge disappear. And thus: filtration and protection levels get down significantly.
UPPER HAND SOLUTION
Upper Hand uses a Nano Filter with made from ultra thin fibers with a high number of nano-sized pores. This improves breathability. The filter can be washed more than 30 times without losing its filtration effect. This reduces waste: 1 Upper Hand Mask can compensate more than 200 single use masks.
The Nano Filter uses super-thin fiber material that creates a “sieve", just with nano-sized pores.
This sieve filters and retains smallest particles, even those which are between 0.02-2 micrometer in diameter.
Because its pores are so tiny it does not need any electromagnetic charge for filtering tiny particles. And thus: it can get wet and will still work.
Discover products with Nano Filter
THE PROBLEM
The textiles we wear retain residues from our skin and the environment. Small particles build up. And so do bacteria and microbes. They digest parts of the residues. This process creates bad smell and can cause skin irritations. In the case of face masks, this phenomenon is also known as "mascne".
HOW SOLVED TODAY?
We have to wash our clothing regularly to prevent odor and dirt to build up. This consumes a lot of water, chemicals and energy. On top, mechanical abrasion puts micro plastic into our water.
UPPER HAND SOLUTION
We have developed a special cotton fabric that is super soft and that disinfects itself constantly. Bacteria and microbes cannot grow on the material. Significantly less odor and dirt build up. And that means that you can wear self-cleaning cotton for longer before having to wash it.
We combine a super soft and skin friendly material with a treatment that prevents bacteria and microbes to build up.
The material has a strongly positive micro-electric charge that attracts and destroys the negatively charged exterior of bacteria and microbes.
Self-Cleaning Cotton is safe to use and tested for skin compatibility according to ISO 10993.
Discover products with Self-Cleaning Cotton
Scientific partners
All our products are engineered in Germany and rigorously tested for performance and highest possible comfort for every day use.
We have partnered up with leading universities and material science experts to develop innovative textile materials for you.
We offer free shipping to many EU countries and reduced rates across the world. You can return or exchange items free of charge.