Science Scene: No Mutated Sea Bass Involved

 

So there is a new swimsuit, designed with help from NASA and its wind tunnels, made of low-drag, lightweight, polyurethane fabric that repels water. The swimsuit, made by Speedo, is called the LZR Racer. [When I saw the name LZR, which really does mean that the swimsuit is made using a laser, all I could think of was Austin Powers and the Sharks with "lasers" attached, but they were not available, so he had to settle for mutated, ill-tempered, Sea Bass],  "Bonded seams, so no stitches to cause drag. A hidden zipper - again, less drag. LZR panels reduce drag in some areas of the swimsuit by as much as 24% compared to other Speedo suits."

Once they shaved body hair; now they slip on spacesuits.  Many critics complained that the new gear is chiefly responsible for the recent rash of swimming world records.  "When I hit the water, I feel like a rocket," said world champion swimmer Michael Phelps about the Speedo LZR Racer suit. Phelps, who won six gold medals and two bronze at the last Summer Olympics in Athens, helped develop the much-talked swim wear. He and others who have worn the skintight body suit, since it debuted in February, had already set 40 of 44 world records as of June 29. By July 2, that number climbed to 44 out of 48 and it could go even higher as the U.S. Olympic trials continue.

 NASA researcher Steve Wilkinson also had a hand in the swimsuit's development. The aerospace engineer at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., admits he doesn't know much about swimming or swim wear.  Just like reducing drag helps planes fly more efficiently, reducing drag helps swimmers go faster. Studies indicate viscous drag or skin friction is almost one-third of the total restraining force on a swimmer. Wind tunnel tests measure the drag on the surface of the fabrics. "This is the first time I've tested a fabric and there were some challenges involved," said researcher Wilkinson. "It was a challenge to figure out how to get the fabric on a test plate and how to prepare the edges so nothing would interfere with air flow over the fabric. 

 

The smoother the fabric, the lower the drag.  Small advantages can make big differences.  A study cited in a recent Miami Herald article found that the drag-diminishing suits lowered times by 1.9 to 2.2 percent--the equivalent of about one second in a freestyle 100 meter race.  The biggest downside?  It can take a swimmer 20 minutes to squeeze into one of these swimsuits for a race that might last 20 seconds.  

And what's the impact on college sports? Speedo has patented the swimsuits and competitors in the industry will be unable to copy the LZR technology. If a school has a contract with a different clothing company, their competitive edge could be sacrificed. Some institutions will undoubtedly be stocked with Speedo's gear, while others won't. Even if there aren't corporate relationships to consider, the suits cost around $500, which would likely prove cost prohibitive.

Could innovations, like the LZR swimsuit, inadvertently create a class system in intercollegiate athletics? 

 

 

 

The following two sites were used as reference for the development of this Science Scene entry :o)

 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080703132928.htm 

http://americandigest.org/mt-archives/american_studies/swimsuit_techno.php 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: Speedo, Sea Bass, Austin Powers, Olympics