Enhancing Water Sports Performance
Lead Research Organisation:
Nottingham Trent University
Department Name: School of Science & Technology
Abstract
This proposal is for a pilot project to link EPSRC funded research expertise with applied sports research with a view to UK performance in the 2012 Olympics. In this project, we will investigate experimentally whether UK Sport needs to be concerned at potential performance gains in some sports resulting from the so-called Lotus Effect . In this effect hydrophobicity and topography are combined to create slippy super-water-repellent surfaces. Recent academic work on this type of surface has suggested that the no-slip boundary condition for simple liquids becomes relaxed and causes a finite slip length for water flowing over the surface. There have been claims in the literature of a reduction in flow resistance of around 15% attributed to a slip length of greater than 250 microns. Our project will review the literature for relevance to sport, review and interpret recent towing tank experiments by UK Sport, create a range of super-hydrophobic surfaces and provide specimens for testing by UK Sport.
Publications
McHale G
(2010)
Immersed superhydrophobic surfaces: Gas exchange, slip and drag reduction properties
in Soft Matter
McHale G
(2009)
Terminal velocity and drag reduction measurements on superhydrophobic spheres
in Applied Physics Letters
| Description | The project sought to answer the question of to what extent modern super-water-repellent coatings could reduce drag and improve performance in a competitive water sports situation. Part of its broader scientific outcomes was to show that drag reduction in a terminal velocity experiment using a spherical object with a superhydrophobic surface was possible provided cerain materials design principles were obeyed. |
| Sectors | Aerospace/ Defence and Marine,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Transport |
| URL | http://www.naturesraincoats.com/ |
| Description | Funding 1 |
| Amount | £22,138 (GBP) |
| Organisation | UK Sport |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2008 |
| End | 12/2008 |
| Description | Funding 1 |
| Amount | £22,138 (GBP) |
| Organisation | UK Sport |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2008 |
| End | 12/2008 |
| Description | Funding 2 |
| Amount | £202,311 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/I016414/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2010 |
| End | 08/2012 |
| Description | Funding 3 |
| Amount | £643,981 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/E063489/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2007 |
| End | 02/2013 |
| Description | Funding 4 |
| Amount | £454,354 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/G057265/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2009 |
| End | 04/2013 |
| Description | Royal Yachting Association |
| Organisation | Royal Yachting Association |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | UK Sport |
| Organisation | UK Sport |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| Description | Cafe Scientifique - Water: A tale of two surfaces |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | TBC |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
| Description | Cutting Edge 2012: The Research Behind Sport 2012 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Enthusing people and creating a video for the RI Video for RI |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Grantham School Society Talk - Super Water-Repellent Surfaces |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Children attended TBC |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
| Description | Shaping Liquids, Controlling Surfaces |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | TBC |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Water: A Tale of two surfaces |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | TBC |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |