Scientists from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Transport and Aeronautics of Riga Technical University (RTU) present the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation with a methodology for improving the technical control of the slopes, which the international sports world could fully approve by the next Winter Olympic Games in 2026.
Four-time Olympic medalist and head of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation materials, technologies, and innovations department Christoph Langen recently paid a visit to RTU to learn more about the research and performance of scientists within the RTU Institute of Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering of the Faculty of Mechanical Sciences, Transport and Aeronautics, in terms of the development of more accurate characterization of slope parameters and improvement of sliding properties.
«The knowledge we have accumulated through long-term study of the geometry of the slopes, roughness, sliding properties, the influence of various factors on the ice, and the available modern scientific equipment helped us to discover that the method of controlling the hardness of the slopes, which is used in international competitions, can be significantly improved. Our proposed methodology makes it possible to clearly determine whether unauthorized manipulations have been carried out with the inclines, which cannot be detected with the current method,» said Jānis Lungevičs, RTU Institute of Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering leading researcher and head of the Mitutoyo laboratory.
«The proposed method of controlling the hardness of the slats will bring the competition closer to the conditions, where the skill of the athlete will have a greater impact on the result than non-compliant slat processing techniques. Therefore, the probability that athletes who are not from TOP countries also show high results in competitions should increase,» added Ernests Jansons, researcher at the Institute of Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering.
Scientists from RTU's Institute of Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering began this research related to rink sports more than a decade ago, to better understand how the surface treatment of rinks affects sliding on ice. In the subsequent years, various studies have been carried out, for example, in the Latvian Science Council project «Carbon-enriched multifunctional nanostructured smart coatings (NVP) for high-tech applications and their production using the high-power magnetically compressed plasma method», knowledge about microhardness measurements has been significantly developed, including surfaces with nanocoatings. The experience and knowledge gained there has made it possible to develop the new method of controlling the hardness of the bends.
The scientists also cooperate closely with the Latvian bobsled and skeleton teams in measuring the geometry and hardness of the sleds, helping the athletes to better prepare for competitions. Accurate measurements are vital, as properly prepared inclines are a prerequisite for a competitive start in a sport where the the battle can be decided by hundredths of a second.
Measurements are made at the RTU Mitutoyo laboratory, the most modern and best equipped geometric metrology laboratory in the Baltics. The state-of-the-art laboratory equipment for measuring dimensions is provided by the company «Mitutoyo Poland Sp.oo».
