Skinsuit design and fabric evaluation

To minimize aerodynamic drag, we engineer cycling skinsuits by fusing digital and experimental aerodynamics. Our process begins with athlete-specific 3D reconstruction and employs high-fidelity numerical simulation to model airflow. These insights are then validated through wind tunnel experiments on a full-scale mannequin. This rigorous methodology directly links suit design features, including seam placement and surface texture, to measurable performance gains.

• 3D reconstruction and high-fidelity numerical simulation

  

  

• Surface oil flow visualisation on a full-scale mannequin

  

• Flow topology on the surface of the cyclist's body at 18 m/s

  

Details refer to:

C. Zheng, P. Zhou, J. Mao, and X. Zhang, "Experimental investigations on the effects of longitudinal groove fabric for drag reductions on a track cyclist", Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, vol. 156, no. 111223, pp. 1-13, 2024.