Nanotechnology is making a big impact in the world of sport and leisure. It is currently being employed in sports such as tennis, swimming, golf and many more.
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| Figure 4.1: Ordinary Tennis ball (left), New Wilson tennis ball coated with gas barrier (right) http://nanotechnology.unlv.edu/ee453_fall2008_projects/ee453_project7.pdf |
The game of tennis is under constant change as a result of nanotechnology. From nanotube powered rackets to new tennis balls that stop gas escaping.
Babolat was one of the first tennis companies to experiment with nanotechnolgy in their rackets and in 2002, creating the 'VS Nanotube Power racket' which was formed out of carbon 'nanotube-infused' graphite. This new material meant that they were able to create a racket that was extremely light and still very strong. Around the same period, Wilson manufactured the 'Double Core tennis ball' which are coated in clay nanoparticles in the inner core. The clay nanoparticles act as a sealant, making it more difficult for air to escape and creating a long lasting and more superior ball.
Babolat was one of the first tennis companies to experiment with nanotechnolgy in their rackets and in 2002, creating the 'VS Nanotube Power racket' which was formed out of carbon 'nanotube-infused' graphite. This new material meant that they were able to create a racket that was extremely light and still very strong. Around the same period, Wilson manufactured the 'Double Core tennis ball' which are coated in clay nanoparticles in the inner core. The clay nanoparticles act as a sealant, making it more difficult for air to escape and creating a long lasting and more superior ball.
Golf
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| Figure 4.2: Golf shaft with Nano Composite (left) Golf shaft without Nano Composite (right) The gray areas represent gaps in the shaft. The pink dots represent the nanomaterial http://www.ncnanotechnology.com/public/_assets/GolfShaftWithNano.jpg |
Nanotechnology is changing the way golf is being played with new equipment designed for better performance. Currently there is a newly designed golf club 'shaft' (the long part of the club) that is coated with nanometal. The new golf club shafts made with nanometal which is stronger and lighter, thus providing a fast clubhead speed. This also means that if they include this nanometal in the clubhead it could be light enough to allow for a larger 'sweet spot' for players. Again, Wilson is leading the way in using nanotechnology in sport with the creation of not only using nanometals in the shaft but also blending it with graphite fibres. Figure 4.2 shows how the nanomaterial fills the small gaps in the shaft, making it straighter, stronger and more consistent.
Swimming
Nanotechnology has effected swimming by helping to create a more efficient pool cleaner and disinfectant. The new mixture called nanoemulsion has dramatically advanced the effectiveness of pool cleaners. The mixture uses nano-sized oil drops which are mixed with a normal disinfectant. What makes the product better then previous models is because of the tiny oil nanoparticles that stick to the bacteria, making the delivery of the disinfectant more effective.
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| LZR Racer swimsuit http://media.knoxnews.com/media/img/photos /2009/07/10/071309nasa1_t607.jpg |
Another nano innovation is the 'LZR Racer Swimsuit' which is now used by most professional swimmers because of its revolutionary aerodynamics. The manufacturers at Speedo (the company which designed the suit) used nanotechnology to permanently change the fabric surface, with the energy of cold plasma. The result is an highly lightweight, flexible and quick-drying swimsuit that provides the wearer with a more efficient performance.
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