Supporting a uK SucceSS Story: The impacT of - Research Councils ...

Tom Waller, a former Engineering and Physical Sciences Research
Council (EPSRC) supported student and researcher is now
head of Aqualab, Speedo’s global research and development
facility based in Nottingham. The design here is not focused on
shoes, but swimsuits. Swimming is a multi-billion pound industry,
ranging from elite performance products to a lifestyle market
that includes anything you would wear in or around water. Tom
says: “Technology is at the heart of our brand. Everything we
do is about differentiating ourselves from the competition and
we believe the future lies in research and development.” With
competitive spirit in mind, details of how Aqualab will be helping
elite swimmers during London 2012 remains a closely guarded
secret, but the Olympics remain one of the key areas for how the
Aqualab research is applied.
Equipment design
“Researchers at
Birmingham
City University
have developed
a ‘vibrating
suit’ which may
help users to
dramatically
improve their
memory
of physical
technique.”
Teesside University has played a vital role in the development of an
innovative new product to provide a solution to the problem of cold
hands for cyclists. BreezeBlockers offer a range of aerodynamic
bike shields suitable for competitive, leisure or commuting cyclists,
designed to provide protection for hands and feet in cold, wet
and windy weather. The functionality of the product was tested in
Teesside University’s environmental chamber which can simulate
almost any environment on earth and is often used by athletes to
experience extreme environmental conditions. The chamber can
also be used to test clothing, equipment and occupational tasks in
extremes of temperature in a scientifically controlled environment.
The tests at Teesside showed BreezeBlockers can allow cyclists
to train for longer by reducing levels of perceived exertion and
lowering blood lactate levels. Because cyclists also felt warmer,
there was no need for bulky gloves which reduce hand movement.
Teesside academics also provided expertise interpreting and
analysing the results.
Researchers at Birmingham City University have developed a
‘vibrating suit’ which may help users to dramatically improve their
memory of physical technique. Once programmed, the smart
suit will model human behaviour for a range of activities – such
as sporting or movement techniques which demand accurate
repetition of action – and gives immediate visual, aural and tactile
feedback to a user if their movement is inaccurate. This feedback
is delivered via vibrating contacts placed across the body at
strategic points. The suit has many potential applications where a
person needs to perfect a physical technique; this includes sports
such as golf or Olympic activities like rowing. Lead researcher
Professor Gregory Sporton said on average it takes 10,000 hours
SECTION THREE : DESIGN 39