Editor's Note:
A grand event was held at the Zhongguancun Exhibition Center in Beijing on May 30, 2024 to celebrate China's 8th National Science and Technology Workers Day. The event, titled "Song of Sci-tech Workers," was organized by the Beijing Association of Science and Technology (BAST) as part of a series of festivities running from May 1 to June 7. Six representatives from various fields of science and technology in Beijing were invited to share their stories of research and dedication at the event, showcasing the spirit of scientific innovation that helped drive Beijing to become a major global scientific center and innovation hub. These are the stories of these remarkable pioneers.
Liu Li shares her story in designing competition attire for the Beijing Winter Olympics during BAST's celebration event for China's 8th National Science and Technology Workers Day on May 30, 2024. Photo: BAST
At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Chinese athletes excelled on the icy slopes, claiming gold and silver medals with remarkable performances. However, behind their triumphs stood a group of technological innovators toiling away in laboratories, infusing each hard-earned medal with the power of science. Among them is Professor Liu Li of Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology.
Sportswear design, often associated with style and personal expression, takes on a whole new dimension when applied to professional athletic competitions. Liu Li, along with her team, has undertaken the formidable challenge of designing competition uniforms that not only reflect athletes' individual preferences but also enhance their performance on the ice.
The journey began with a profound understanding of the intricate relationship between fabric, fit, and aerodynamics. Recognizing that every millimeter counts in the world of speed skating, Liu and her team embarked on a two-year-long research endeavor to optimize the fit and functionality of competition uniforms.
Drawing expertise from fields such as textiles, materials science, and aerodynamics, Liu led her team in conducting extensive measurements and analyses. They meticulously captured the unique body types and movement patterns of over 400 athletes from 22 national teams across 10 countries.
Using this data, Liu and her team created precise 3D models of each athlete, ensuring that every competition uniform was tailored to fit like a second skin. This attention to detail was crucial, she said, as even the slightest imperfection could translate into a loss of crucial milliseconds on the ice.
Moreover, Liu understood that athlete input was invaluable in the design process. By engaging in open dialogue with athletes and soliciting their feedback, she ensured that the competition uniforms not only met but exceeded their expectations. This collaborative approach resulted in garments that not only provided the necessary compression and elasticity but also allowed athletes to move freely and comfortably during competition.
The culmination of Liu Li's efforts came in the form of rigorous wind tunnel testing. Collaborating with aerodynamics laboratories, her team subjected the competition uniforms to over 1,000 hours of testing, meticulously refining their design to minimize drag and maximize speed.
The results were nothing short of remarkable. Liu's competition uniforms contributed to significant drag reduction in speed skating, short track speed skating, bobsleigh, and alpine skiing events, with a reduction of over 10% in drag resistance in three of these events.
The impact of Liu's work was felt most profoundly on September 26, 2021, during the Speed Skating "China Cup" World 500m Speed Skating Competition. Athlete Gao Yuting, clad in Liu's custom-designed competition uniform, broke personal records and achieved the best result in the domestic season, ranking third in the world for the 500m event.
Through her tireless dedication and innovative approach, Liu has not only revolutionized Olympic sportswear design but also propelled athletes to new heights of performance and achievement.