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Piezoelectric Tennis Rackets

Posted by michael on from the cheap-shot dept.

morcheeba writes "EETimes has an article on a piezoelectric tennis racket made by Head Sport AG. It uses piezoelectric fibers to damp vibrations and, due to regulations, it doesn't contain a battery. Although it's been out a while, it's now gaining credibility with professionals and has made it into the quarterfinals of the French Open."

2 of 143 comments (clear)

  1. other applications by Hanzie · · Score: 4, Interesting

    They're using it in skis, too.

    I would like to see if it is usable in automobile suspensions. Active electronic dampening should out perform any hydraulics.

    Come to think of it, this technology could be used to make an active muffler for auto exhaust systems. It could also absorb driveline vibrations.

    Wonder if it could do anything for crankshaft vibration?

    hanzie

    --
    ********* sig: If you don't like the law, get filthy stinking rich, and buy a better one.
  2. Getting a perceived advantage by Mattygfunk · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Firstly, this kind of thing will very quickly make its way across all racquet/bat/glove/sword/anything sports if it's proven a worthwhile advantage. Just as quickly it will cost your average club level player the extra cost to keep up.

    The Australian Football League allowed the use of gloves 7 or so years back. The AFL has been in existance over 100 years without them but that perceived advantage lead to half of the players (at least) playing the game using them. Juniors at the local clubs naturally followed suit, and the sport as a whole suffered because of fewer numbers participating due to the cost.

    I love technology, but the advantages and disadvantages of somthing like this have got to looked at carefully before this should be permitted at any level.