National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympic Games: Science of Ice
A mathematician explains why ice is slippery, making winter sports possible. Also describes how ice surfaces are prepared for an Olympic event. [5:21]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympic Games: Shaun White Engineering the Half Pipe
A mechanical engineer explains how the half-pipe is designed to give an Olympic snowboarder maximum air time so he can perform tricks. [5:22]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of Innovation: Smart Concrete
When carbon fiber is added to concrete, it becomes an electricity conductor and a stress sensor, which may allow engineers to identify problems in a building's structure before anything is outwardly visible. [5:23]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Summer Olympics: The Biomechanics of Usain Bolt
Scientists explain Usain Bolt's biomechanics which allow him to achieve top acceleration and maintain top speed, despite his above-average size and mass. [5:23]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Summer Olympics: Engineering in Sports: Measuring a Champion
An electrical engineer explains all the technology behind keeping time at an Olympic event down to thousandths of a second. These include cameras, lasers, and even RFID tags. Timekeeping must be both precise and accurate. [5:34]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of Summer Olympics: Sarah Robles and Mechanics of Weightlifting
A robotics engineer analyzes the athletic movements of U.S. weightlifter Sarah Robles. by using a robotic arm called the WAM Arm to duplicate her movements. [5:34]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Summer Olympics: Designing Safety Helmets
A mechanical engineer explains the science that goes into the design of the safety helmets used in the Summer Olympics. [5:35]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympics: Safety Gear
Protective gear is critical to the safety of Olympic athletes. Scientists explain how safety helmets are designed to absorb the impact of a collision. [5:36]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Sustainability: Water: The Ogallala Aquifer
Scientists are studying the condition of the Ogallala aquifer underneath Kansas farmlands, which use this freshwater resource for irrigation. They want to understand changes taking place and what the future holds, and to help develop a...
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Summer Olympics: Maximizing Long Jump of Bryan Clay
Bryan Clay, an Olympic decathlon athlete, worked with engineers using a stereoscopic camera system to record his movements and velocities during his long jump. They could then measure and analyze his performance immediately. [5:37]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympics: Figuring Out Figure Skating
An Olympic skater and a scientist explain the physics behind the complex maneuvers figure skaters make, such as the triple axel and the quadruple toe loop. [5:38]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympics: Science of Skates
The science behind the design of ice skates and their blades is explained. [5:54]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympic Games: Building Faster and Safer Bobsleds
Scientists explain the design challenges faced when making bobsleds that are fast and safe. [6:10]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Summer Olympics: Engineering for Mobility
A biomechanical engineer explains the science behind the design of wheelchairs in a variety of different Paralympic sports. [5:16]