American scientists have concluded the dimple surface of the golf ball that is efficient at reducing the air drag when the ball is travelling at high speeds. This idea is not new as the dimpled golf ball has been around since the 19th century and the footballs in the 2014 world cup have a similar design.
A dimpled surface works on blunt objects as it ensures the airflow is closer to the surface for longer which reduces the turbulent air behind the object. However it hasn’t been used on cars because whilst efficient at lower speeds when the object reaches speeds similar to those being used on motorways and duel carriage ways the affect is reversed as too much air is then hugging the object slowing it down.
However scientists have now been able to produce a material that under command from a computer can change from a smooth surface to a dimpled one and vice versa. This works because the material has a soft centre which allows an electrical signal to change the internal pressure meaning when there is less pressure on the outer surface it would become dimpled and when there is more pressure it would be smooth once more. It is this ability to change on command that would allow the car to be the most fuel efficient at all speeds.
21 July 2014
