Science of NHL Hockey

Hockey is back at long last so I thought I’d post a little hockey science.

The U.S. National Science Foundation has a series of videos in their multimedia gallery called the Science of NHL Hockey. For example, learn about Goals Against Average and other goaltending Statistics and Averages, or goalie Reflexes & Reaction Time, or watch one of the other videos:

Go Habs Go!

Olympic fever continues

Anette Hosio, an associate professor in MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering recently talked to MIT news about the mechanics of sports. From her points of view, what helped Usain Bolt give the record-breaking performance in 2008 is “his unique combination of both strength and the long stride.” In the following video, Hosio also explained the mystery of the “fast pool” from the perspective of fluid mechanics.

Read more at 3 Questions: Anette Hosoi on engineering and the Olympics

Olympic fever

Science of the Summer OlympicsThe new video series, Science of the Summer Olympics: Engineering In Sports, is just what I needed to assuage my anticipation for the start of the London Olympic Games (just days away!).

This partnership between the U.S. National Science Foundation and NBC brings athletes and engineers together to share their experiences and perspectives. For example, you can learn about the biomechanics of 6 ft. 5 in. sprinter, Usain Bolt, or the design of the pool at the London Aquatic Centre that promises to maximize speed and minimize waves.

Soccer mania

The UEFA 2012 European Championship final was decided yesterday but here is one tech item that may help to fill the void. Two young inventors found a way to turn a soccer ball into a power source as a project for an engineering class. Jessica O. Matthews and Julia Silverman founded Uncharted Play last year and have introduced the SOCCKET. It turns a soccer ball into an eco-friendly portable generator.

Here’s how it works: the SOCCKET has a mechanism inside that captures and stores the kinetic energy from playing with the ball. The mechanism turns a motor and the motor powers a battery that can support small appliances when they are plugged into the ball.  For example, after being kicked around for about thirty minutes the ball can power a reading light for three hours. If you are interested in the SOCCKET, find out how you can get in the game.