We consider a geometrically motivated Skyrme model based on a general covariant kinetic term proposed originally by Born and Infeld. We introduce this new term by generalizing the Born-Infeld action to a non-abelian SU(2) gauge theory and by using the hidden gauge symmetry formalism. The static properties of the Skyrmion are then analyzed and compared with other Skyrme-like models. PACS numbers...

New forms of Born-Infeld, D-brane and M theory five-brane actions are found which are quadratic in the abelian field strength. The gauge fields couple both to a background or induced metric and a new auxiliary metric, whose elimination reproduces the non-polynomial Born-Infeld action. This is similar to the introduction of an auxiliary metric to simplify the Nambu-Goto string action. This simpl...