“They can design any kind of bike they want, based on what they have learned about the mechanical properties of each,” said Wilson. “Each type of bike requires different frames and different materials for making them sturdy and able to withstand the sport or activity for which they were designed.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
They learn that bikes such as those in the Tour de France or road races that are part of the Olympic Games are light and stiff to enable to the rider to go as fast as possible, and that the more a bike frame “gives” between rider and road, the more energy is taken away from propelling the bike forward.<\/p>\n
“This is the essence of materials science and engineering!” Wilson says. “Structure determines properties, but the structure and hence the properties can be changed by processing the material. Depending on the performance requirements, processing may be necessary to change the properties to meet the needs.”<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/engineering.jhu.edu\/materials\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Orla-bike-ride-300x200.jpg\")
Over the years, students in the course have created designs from mountain bikes to unicycles to stationary bikes.<\/p>\n
Wilson inherited the lesson from colleague Tim Weihs, a professor of materials science and engineering who previously taught the class.<\/p>\n
“I love cycling, so the course seemed like a perfect fit for me,” says Wilson.<\/p>\n
Wilson first got into cycling out of necessity, riding her bike to and from class as a high school and college student in Ireland. Since then, she has biked all over the world. She has also participated in the American Diabetes Association’s annual Tour de Cure to raise awareness about type 1 diabetes, which she and her daughter both have.<\/p>\n
“Every year I secretly hope a byproduct of the lesson will be getting students interested in biking as well,” says Wilson, who has won several teaching awards. “But they’re never as excited about bikes as I am.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
While Wilson may not succeed in getting a student bike club started anytime soon, she hopes her students learn not only which materials make the best bike frames, but that engineering is everywhere\u2014in the lab, out on the road, and even in the summer Olympic Games.<\/p>\n
“It’s important to have something to keep your body and mind active and if you can find something that’s more than ticking the exercise box, something that piques your interest, I think that’s great,” Wilson says.<\/p>\n