Shuttlecock Aerodynamics (Part 2)

[This part 2 of a series] The 2009 work of Firoz Alam, Harun Chowdhury, Chavaporn Theppadungporn, Aleksandar Subic, and M. M. K. Khan (on the aerodynamics of shuttlecocks) has been complemented by a new study from LadHyX*, Palaiseau, France.

"We study experimentally shuttlecocks dynamics. In this part we show how the shuttlecock shape is optimized for badminton play. The shuttlecock always flies the nose forehead. After the impact it has thus to return. Actually it returns, oscillates and then stabilizes. We try to understand these damping oscillations and draw an analogy with the dandelions achenes and parachutists."

Physics of badminton shuttlecock. Part 2: Turn around was presented at the 64th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics, General Fluid Dynamics III, 12:50 PM–3:00 PM, Tuesday, November 22, 2011.

Note: LadHyX are also noted for their work on teapot spout drip avoidance