Luge Federation Explores How Scientists Can Support Sports

Author
Riga Technical University

December 9, 2024

research collaboration

To learn more about the sports technologies developed by scientists at Riga Technical University (RTU) and how they could help representatives of Latvia’s luge sports achieve better results, a delegation from the Latvian Luge Federation visits RTU.

RTU scientists and engineers, including those from RTU Liepāja Academy, collaborate with colleagues from the University of Latvia and Riga Stradiņš University (RSU), including RSU’s Latvian Academy of Sport Education, on the national research program “Sports.” The project, titled “Innovations, Methodologies, and Recommendations for Sports Sector Development and Management in Latvia” (IMRSportsLV), focuses on developing sports technologies. The aim is to enhance performance in competitive sports by creating tools to test and improve the material properties of equipment used in technical sports disciplines.

Collaboration Highlights

During their visit, representatives of the Latvian Luge Federation—including President Klāvs Vasks, Vice President Dace Gods Romanovska, Manager Daniels Fogels, and Coach Zintis Šaicāns—were introduced to research conducted on surface geometry and friction measurements. These studies, carried out multiple times at Finland’s Olympic Research Center in Vuokatti, examine how micro- and macrogeometry, materials, wax application, thermal treatment, and laser texturing impact sliding performance. The findings aim to refine innovative steel treatment technologies and identify improvements for sports equipment.

To enable such large-scale experiments under conditions simulating competition, RTU plans to construct a large tribometer in its student campus in Ķīpsala. Scientists shared the design of the tribometer and explained the types of studies it would support. Such experimental devices are rare worldwide.

kamaninu-federacija.PNG
A delegation from the Latvian Luge Sports Federation meets with RTU scientists and learns about their research. Photo: Jānis Lungevičs, RTU

Advanced Research Initiatives

RTU scientists are also:

  • Simulating and modeling the aerodynamic properties of various materials.
  • Planning sled prototype experiments in a wind tunnel.
  • Analyzing high-performance materials for sports equipment and their dynamic properties.
  • Developing a sensor system in collaboration with University of Latvia colleagues to analyze real-time athlete and sled movements on the track.

High-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure plays a key role in this research. According to Jānis Lungevičs, lead researcher at RTU’s Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering and head of the Mitutoyo Metrology Laboratory, this infrastructure, combined with RTU’s extensive expertise, elevates the quality of the research.

Longstanding Partnership with Sliding Sports

For years, RTU scientists and engineers, primarily from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering and the Sports Technology Center of RTU’s Science and Innovation Center, have collaborated with Latvian sliding sports representatives. Their work focuses on enhancing sleds and equipment, helping athletes achieve higher results and become more competitive on the global stage.

Recommended articles

research collaboration

Strengthening Latvia's Participation in the Baltic Sea Region, Ukraine and US Research Initiative

Today, December 17, the government approved amendments to extend the timeframe for Latvian researchers to participate in the Baltic Sea Region, Ukraine, and U.S. collaborative initiative in the field of research. These changes aim to ensure more effective implementation of this international multil…

Ministry of Education and Science

December 17, 2024

research

RSU Public Health Institute Study: "The Impact of Sugar Consumption on Physical and Mental Health"

To evaluate the potential public health benefits of reducing sugar consumption in Latvia, the Public Health Institute of Riga Stradiņš University (RSU SVI) has conducted an extensive study titled “The Impact of Sugar Consumption on Physical and Mental Health.” The review of scientific literature…

RSU Public Health Institute

December 12, 2024

bioeconomy collaboration

Meeting of Bioeconomy Memorandum Participants

At the end of November, the second meeting of the participants of the Bioeconomy Memorandum took place at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry. The aim of the memorandum is to establish and maintain a new biorefining ecosystem, contributing significantly to the development of Latvia's bioe…

Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry

December 11, 2024

collaboration

Develops Next-Generation Batteries and Enhances Hydrogen Technologies

The University of Latvia’s Institute of Solid State Physics (UL CFI), the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science (EDI), and Riga Technical University (RTU), in collaboration with Swiss scientists, will research and develop solutions to enhance the stability of energy supply systems, advance …

UL Institute of Solid State Physics

December 9, 2024