Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps adjusts the hood of his parka and pulls it closer in an attempt to shut out the noise from the crowd. He knows the hardest part of swimming is the waiting. He goes over his swim in his mind, reviewing every stroke, every turn, and every breath. His attention is entirely focused on the swim ahead of him. The last thing he is worried about is his swimsuit. Michael knows that the special science used to create his suit will help him speed through the water. Serena Williams rocks from side to side, reflexes on edge. The tennis ball hurtles toward her. Whack! She slams it back across the net and flips her racket around in her hand, ready for another volley. Serena is confident and focused. She doesn't even think about the science that was used to make her racket lighter, stronger, and more efficient. Michelle Wie steps up to the tee. She cups her hand over her eyes and stares down the fairway, spying her target: a tiny spot on the grass more than two hundred yards away. Directing her thoughts to the golf ball in front of her, she adjusts her stance. She takes a deep breath, pulls the club back, and swings. Crack! The ball sails through the air, heading toward the hole. Confidently, Michelle leans over and plucks the tee from the ground. She strides toward her ball, not once thinking about the science used to create her club. Excerpted from Super Gear: How the Science of Nanotechnology Is Changing Sports by Jennifer Swanson All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
