Jen Swanson has taken a look at how advances in the field of nanotechnology have affected sports in recent years, and how they will continue to influence the equipment, uniforms, and even surfaces used in various athletic events. She does a thorough job of explaining what nanotech is and how it is used - nanoparticles, nanowires, carbon nanotubes, and the tools used to work with them like nanotweezers and scanning tunneling microscopes are all defined and illustrated. Then she delves into the way these advances are used in various sports. From super suits that cut down on drag for swimmers and skaters; improvements in baseball bats, golf clubs, and tennis rackets; and even changes to shoes and track surfaces to assist sprinters - all are the results of these scientific breakthroughs.
There is more than just talk about how the technology is used and the ways in which it helps with drag, buoyancy, shock absorption, and other factors. The book also discusses specific athletes and competitions that have seen improved performance and even new records set due to nanotechnology. And the ethical and sportsmanship issues of whether it is fair to allow athletes to use these advances is covered. Back matter includes an author's note, glossary, resource list, source notes, selected bibliography, image credits, and an index.
For anyone interested in sports, the future of how nanotechnology will continue to impact athletics, or the field of nanotech in general - this is a fascinating read.
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