SERG, founded in 1998, is based in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield and is directed by Dr Matt Carré. The group’s activities are split into 3 main areas – research projects, equipment development and teaching/education – and range from asking fundamental questions about sports balls aerodynamics to collaborations with the sports industry seeking improved product performance. SERG projects are supported by funding councils, sports governing bodies and companies in the sports industry.

SERG's main expertise lies in the following areas:

Aerodynamics

Assessment of sports ball aerodynamic properties Wind tunnel tests Advanced flow visualisation techniques CFD analysis of complex geometries Trajectory measurement, analysis and prediction

Sports surfaces

Playing performance assessment of soprts surfaces Development of surface test methods and test equipment design Traction of football boots

Impacts

3D rigid-body analysis High speed 3D videogrammetry Ball/racquet interaction Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Friction

Skin/equipment interaction Rugby ball surface roughness Tennis racquet grip

In February 2006, previous director of SERG Steve Haake, moved to Sheffield Hallam University with several team memebers but we continue to collaborate on many projects together. If you are looking for Steve and his team, please go here or get in touch with Amanda Staley:

tel: +44 114 225 2255         e-mail: a.staley@shu.ac.uk