Rich McLaughlin Dives into Olympic Swimming Research

Professor Rich McLaughlin is playing a pivotal role in an innovative collaboration aimed at giving U.S. swimmers a competitive edge in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. This project, born from a chance meeting between McLaughlin and Claudio Battaglini, a professor of exercise physiology and a renowned swim coach, combines expertise in fluid dynamics, exercise science, and computer engineering.

McLaughlin, who runs the Joint Fluids Lab in applied and computational mathematics, brings years of experience in fluid dynamics to the team. His work focuses on understanding the mechanics of swimming, beginning with the study of hand positions in water. By collaborating with computer science experts, including Jim Mahaney and students like Steven Tio, the team has developed a 3D model of a swimmer’s hand and is using advanced techniques like particle image velocimetry to track fluid flow around the hand.

The research doesn’t stop at theoretical models; it has practical applications as well. The team is developing a glove equipped with sensors to track swimmers’ hand movements in real-time, ensuring that they can master the most efficient techniques. Additionally, McLaughlin’s lab is using the Joint Fluid Lab’s 120-foot-long wave tank to simulate open water conditions, addressing the U.S. team’s challenges in marathon swimming. With McLaughlin’s contributions, the collaboration seeks to turn milliseconds into medals by grounding swimming techniques in cutting-edge science.

To read more about this interdisciplinary collaboration, check out the article by The Well here. Congratulations and good luck, Rich!