Mathematics Meets Olympic Gold in

January 12, 2010

The MAA has given its stamp of approval to another episode of Discoveries + Breakthroughs Inside Science TV feeds. This one is called the "Science of Speed", where fluid dynamics engineers work with world-class athletes to win Olympic gold.

When American swimmer Ariana Kukors won a record-breaking gold medal this summer, fluid dynamics engineer Tim Wei (Rensselaer), felt like a winner too. They used experimental flow analysis techniques to help increase her power and speed.

"It's basically using what we know about the physics of fluids or fluid flow, and applying it to a very applied problem like the swimmer," said Wei in an interview with Discoveries.

When every hundredth of a second counts, science and technology are helping even the strongest athletes take their performance to the next level.

Combining mathematics and stop-motion technology, engineers like Wei measure the flow swimmers generate in water, and calculate the optimum thrusts of every stroke.

"In an individual race, every little bit of technique is going to add up," said Wei.

With the next summer Olympics not until 2012, Wei's research has shifted its focus from water to ice in preparation for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver this February.

Working with colleague John Vacarro, Wei is using wind tunnel tests to reduce drag and improve times for members of the U.S. bobsled team.

"You can actually look at your movements and see how it really changes your drag, so you can make sure you don't do those when you get in the competition," said Vaccaro.

From sleds to swimming the goal is the same: becoming the fastest and crossing the finish line first. With Wei's help, the U.S. bobsled team hopes to do just that in Vancouver.

The "Science of Speed" is also discussed on the IEEE-USA, APS, and AMS websites.

Source: American Institute of Physics.

Images via Wikipedia.

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Start Date:

Tuesday, January 12, 2010