As the 2024 Paris Olympics begin, the Financial Times is delving into the cutting-edge technology behind record-breaking athletic footwear. Lumafield collaborated with the FT, generating high-fidelity surface and CT scans that provide a glimpse at the precision engineering that goes into the Nike Alphafly 3 and Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1.

A new approach to Surface Capture

Using our Neptune industrial X-ray CT scanner, we made detailed scans of the Nike Alphafly 3 and Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1. With our new Surface Capture capability, we’re able to combine high-resolution CT data with visible light information, resulting in a holistic view of these Super Shoes that captures both external and internal features.

Our process involves three precisely-calibrated specialized cameras that capture visible light data after an X-ray source and detector generate two-dimensional X-rays of the shoe as it rotates on a turntable. Then our cloud-based Voyager analysis software steps in, using advanced algorithms to overlay the visible light images onto the contours of the 3D mesh generated by the CT scan.

This technique ensures that we capture every detail—from the intricate internal structures to the external textures—with unparalleled accuracy and clarity, offering a comprehensive view of the shoe’s construction and materials.

Nike Alphafly 3: Technological Marvel

The Nike Alphafly 3 is designed to propel marathon runners to new heights. It features a full-length carbon fiber Flyplate for stability and propulsion, dual Air Zoom units in the forefoot for energy return, and a continuous ZoomX foam midsole for smoother transitions and enhanced cushioning. 

Our CT scans reveal the intricate internal construction, highlighting the shoe’s impressive stack height (40mm in the heel and 32mm in the forefoot) which provides a deeply cushioned yet firm ride, optimized for both stability and energy return.

Explore the scan

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1: Lightweight and Fast

On the other hand, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 stands out for its lightweight design, featuring a single-layer Celermesh upper that ensures breathability and minimal weight. The shoe’s midsole integrates Lightstrike Pro foam and energy rods, mimicking the benefits of carbon fiber plates while offering a different type of energy return. 

Our scans show how Adidas leverages their innovative energy rods for propulsion, embedding the carbon composite exoskeleton within responsive foam layers to form an ultralight championship shoe weighing in at just 4.87 ounces.

Explore the scan

See everything—from the inside out

These scans not only reveal the multi-layered design approaches that allow athletes to go for gold, they also demonstrate the strengths of a storytelling tool that combines cutting-edge industrial CT and Surface Capture technologies. Readers can visually grasp how different designs and materials contribute to performance, comfort, and durability, helping athletes push their limits. 

Beyond sports footwear, Neptune’s Surface Capture provides a competitive edge across every stage of product development—from R&D and design to marketing and sales. In development and design, it provides detailed and accurate visualizations that enhance understanding and refinement of products. For marketing and sales, the high-quality textured meshes offer precise visuals that can be used to showcase products realistically, allowing first articles to serve as the basis for marketing campaigns ahead of production. 

Lumafield’s comprehensive toolset opens the door for manufacturers to innovate with confidence and showcase every fiber of their cutting-edge products. Curious about how Lumafield’s Surface Capture stacks up against photogrammetry and structured light technologies?

Compare the technologies