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To Build a Better Bobsled

Learn how supercomputers helped construct a faster bobsled for the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team.

By Todd R. Weiss   

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Simulations and Streamribbons

By reducing drag through computerized modeling, simulations, and testing, the Bo-Dyn bobsled designers have been able to drastically improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the Night Train sled, and even its crew. In this simulation image, the green "streamribbons" at the rear of the sled show the movement of airflow around the sled and crew, resulting in undesirable drag that the engineers can work to minimize. Before such simulations on the on-demand supercomputer, these kinds of tests had to be performed manually with mock-ups in a wind tunnel. What could take days or weeks now takes only about 8 hours. (Image: Exa Corporation)

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