John Hart

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Dr. John Hart MEng. PhD. FHEA.

Senior Research Fellow

Summary

Dr John Hart is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Sports Engineering Research (CSER). John is an expert in computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), reverse engineering and 3D imaging. He delivers engineering solutions to a wide range of clients within the sports and healthcare sectors both within the UK and internationally.

This has included: assisting FIFA in the development of equipment standards; development of novel sports projectiles with international clients and Badminton England, funded under the Sport England Innovation Fund; development of equipment for use with dysphagia sufferers funded by the Abbeyfield Research Foundation; CFD consultancy for Ping Golf, work which led to the G30 driver, a #1 selling driver in Europe and USA. In addition to his research John is course leader for MSc Sports Engineering and lectures on a number of modules at Sheffield Hallam University, and is the department resident photographer.

Jon Hart

About

Dr John Hart is a senior research fellow at the Centre for Sports Engineering Research. John is a design and fluids expert specializing in computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and the application of reverse engineering and 3D imaging. He delivers engineering solutions to a wide range of clients within the sports and healthcare sectors.

John studied at Sheffield University (obtaining a MEng degree in Mechanical engineering). He then continued at Sheffield University to complete his PhD in computational fluid dynamic analysis of supersonic ejectors, and joined CSER in 2003.

Current projects involve the development of novel sports projectiles working with a range of international clients. He is also involved in the development of equipment for use by dysphagia sufferers and their carers, in collaboration with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, funded by the Abbeyfield Research Foundation. He has also assisted FIFA with the development of equipment safety standards, and continues to work with other clients in understanding the efficacy of their safety equipment.

John has previously worked with British teams, such as British Cycling, and athletes in their preparations for the Athens, Torino, and Beijing Olympic games. In particular he worked with British Skeleton Bob Sled, as part of the UK Sport funded Innovation Program in preparation for Vancouver 2010. British Skeleton took the only British medal at the Vancouver games, a Gold for women’s Skeleton Athlete Amy Williams. Most recently he worked closely with Badminton England on product development, funded under the Sport England Innovation Fund. This work has recently been referenced in the Inspired by 2012: The legacy from the Olympic and Paralympic Games - a joint UK Government and Mayor of London report. He also provided CFD consultancy to Ping Golf, work that led to the development of their G30 driver with turbulator technology, a #1 selling driver in Europe and the USA. Images from his work featured in a solo exhibition at the Royal Institution in London, and were subsequently featured in the Aperture feature in New Scientist.

In addition to his research John is course leader for MSc Sports Engineering and lectures on a number of modules at Sheffield Hallam University: MSc Sports Engineering, Computer simulation of sports equipment, MSc Sports Engineering, Innovation and enterprise in sports engineering, BSc Sport Exercise Technology, Design and prototyping, and is the department resident photographer.

Areas of interest:

  • Sports engineering
  • Aerodynamics
  • Fluid dynamics
  • Design engineering
  • CFD Simulation
  • 3D imaging
  • Turbulence & Transition Simulation in sport equipment
  • Shuttle aerodynamics and structural dynamics

Teaching

MSc Sports Engineering (Course Leader):

  • Computer Simulation of Sports Equipment
  • Innovation and Enterprise in Sports Engineering

BSc Sports Exercise Technology:

  • Design and Prototyping

Research

Research centre:

  • Centre for Sports Engineering Research (CSER)

Research theme groups:

Current research projects:

  • Sports Projectile Related Aerodynamics
  • Development of novel equipment for use by dysphagia sufferers
  • Sheffield Innovation Partnership (SIP)
  • Development and assessment of Impact Safety Standards

Collaborators and sponsors:

  • FIFA
  • Badminton England
  • Sports England
  • Decathlon
  • PING Golf
  • Abbeyfield Research Foundation
  • Sheffield Teaching Hospitals

Publications

Key Publications

Guignard, B., Rouard, A., Chollet, D., Bonifazi, M., Dalla Vedova, D., Hart, J., & Seifert, L. (2020). Coordination Dynamics of Upper Limbs in Swimming: Effects of Speed and Fluid Flow Manipulation. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 1-12. http://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2019.1680787

Hart, J., Potts, J., & James, D. (2018). Comparison of turbulence modelling approaches in simulation of a feather shuttle; a porous conical bluff body. Sports Engineering, 21 (4), 465-478. http://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-018-0293-y

Elliott, N., Choppin, S., Goodwill, S., Senior, T., Hart, J., & Allen, T. (2018). Single view silhouette fitting techniques for estimating tennis racket position. Sports Engineering, 21 (2), 137-147. http://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-017-0243-0

Dunn, M., Hart, J., & James, D. (2018). Wearing electronic performance and tracking system devices in Association Football: Potential injury scenarios and associated impact energies. Proceedings, 2 (6), 232-237. http://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2060232

Guignard, B., Rouard, A., Chollet, D., Hart, J., Davids, K., & Seifert, L. (2017). Individual-environment interactions in swimming: The smallest unit for analysing the emergence of coordination dynamics in performance? Sports Medicine, 47 (8), 1543-1554. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-017-0684-4

Hart, J. (2016). Comparison of turbulence modeling approaches to the simulation of a dimpled sphere. Procedia Engineering, 147, 68-73. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2016.06.191

Journal articles

Haid, D., Foster, L., Hart, J., Greenwald, R., Allen, T., Sareh, P., & Duncan, O. (2023). Mechanical metamaterials for sports helmets: structural mechanics, design optimisation, and performance. Smart Materials and Structures, 32 (11). http://doi.org/10.1088/1361-665x/acfddf

Haid, D., Duncan, O., Hart, J., & Foster, L. (2023). Free-fall drop test with interchangeable surfaces to recreate concussive ice hockey head impacts. Sports Engineering, 26 (1). http://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-023-00416-6

Thelwell, M., Bullas, A., Kühnapfel, A., Hart, J., Ahnert, P., Wheat, J., ... Choppin, S. (2022). Modelling of human torso shape variation inferred by geometric morphometrics. PLOS ONE, 17 (3). http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265255

Duncan, O., Allen, T., Birch, A., Foster, L., Hart, J., & Alderson, A. (2020). Effect of steam conversion on the cellular structure, Young's modulus and negative Poisson's ratio of closed-cell foam. Smart Materials and Structures, 30 (1), 015031. http://doi.org/10.1088/1361-665X/abc300

Tiller, N., Turner, L., Hart, J., & Casaburi, R. (2020). Airflow dynamics and exhaled-breath temperature following cold-water ingestion. Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, 284, 103564. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.resp.2020.103564

Thelwell, M., Chiu, C.-.Y., Bullas, A., Hart, J., Wheat, J., & Choppin, S. (2020). How shape-based anthropometry can complement traditional anthropometric techniques: a cross-sectional study. Scientific Reports, 10 (1), 12125. http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-69099-4

Hart, J., & Potts, J. (2020). Numerical Investigation of the Flow around a Feather Shuttlecock with Rotation. Proceedings, 49 (1), e28. http://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2020049028

Duncan, O., Naylor, G., M, J.G., Allen, T., Foster, L., Hart, J., & Alderson, A. (2020). Plantar Pressure Distribution under Uniform and Gradient Foam during Running and Jumping. Proceedings, 49 (1), e116. http://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2020049116

Dunn, M., Davies, D., & Hart, J. (2020). Effect of Football Size and Mass in Youth Football Head Impacts. Proceedings, 49 (1), e29. http://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2020049029

Guignard, B., Rouard, A., Chollet, D., Bonifazi, M., Dalla Vedova, D., Hart, J., & Seifert, L. (2019). Upper-to-lower limb coordination dynamics in swimming depending on swimming speed and aquatic environment manipulations. Motor control, 23 (3), 418-442. http://doi.org/10.1123/mc.2018-0026

Chiu, C.-.Y., Thelwell, M., Senior, T., Choppin, S., Hart, J., & Wheat, J. (2019). Comparison of depth cameras for three-dimensional reconstruction in medicine. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine, 233 (9), 938-947. http://doi.org/10.1177/0954411919859922

Driscoll, H., Hart, J., & Allen, T. (2016). Use of image based sports case studies for teaching mechanics. Procedia engineering, 147, 884-889. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2016.06.284

Driscoll, H., Bullas, A., King, C., Senior, T., Haake, S., & Hart, J. (2016). Application of Newtonian physics to predict the speed of a gravity racer. Physics Education, 51 (4), 1-7. http://doi.org/10.1088/0031-9120/51/4/045002

Hart, J. (2014). Simulation and understanding of the aerodynamic characteristics of a badminton shuttle. Procedia engineering, 72, 768-773. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2014.06.130

Henrikson, E., Wood, P., & Hart, J. (2014). Experimental investigation of golf driver club head drag reduction through the use of aerodynamic features on the driver crown. Procedia Engineering, 72, 726-731. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2014.06.123

Probst, H., Bragg, C., Dodwell, D., Green, D., & Hart, J. (2014). A systematic review of methods to immobilise breast tissue during adjuvant breast irradiation. Radiography, 20 (1), 70-81. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2013.10.008

Lukes, R., Hart, J., & Haake, S. (2012). An analytical model for track cycling. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology, 226 (2), 143-151. http://doi.org/10.1177/1754337111433242

Probst, H., Taylor, A., Bragg, C., Dodwell, D., Haake, S., Hart, J., ... Shuttleworth, P. (2012). PO-0956 support positioning and organ registration during breast cancer irradiation : the Support 4 All study. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 103 (S1), S376-S377. http://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8140(12)71289-6

Wheat, J., Hart, J., Domone, S., & Outram, T.A. (2011). Obtaining body segment inertia parameters using structured light scanning with Microsoft Kinect. Journal of Sports Sciences, 29 (s2), 23-24. http://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2011.609363

Rowson, J., Yoxall, A., & Hart, J. (2008). Modelling capping of 28 mm beverage closures using finite element analysis. Packaging Technology and Science, 21 (5), 287-296. http://doi.org/10.1002/pts.803

Hart, J., Curtis, D., Hamilton, N.D.R., & Haake, S. (2004). Scanning large geometries for use in computational fluid dynamic analysis. .

Bullough, W.A., Hart, J.H., & Chin, S.B. (2003). Comparative studies: CFD, experimental and analytical techniques in the fluids laboratory. International journal of mechanical engineering education, 31 (2), 150-159. http://www.manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/uploads/docs/310150.pdf

Conference papers

Dawber, W., Foster, L., Senior, T., & Hart, J. (2024). Design development of a repeatable helmet test system for public order threat recreations. In Carfagni, M., Furferi, R., Di Stefano, P., Governi, L., & Gherardini, F. (Eds.) Third International Conference on Design Tools and Methods in Industrial Engineering, ADM, Florence, Italy, 6 September 2023 - 8 September 2023 (pp. 169-176). Springer Nature Switzerland: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-58094-9_20

Ali, K., Shafizadeh, M., Nasr, N., Balchin, T., Hart, J., & Kelley, J. (2024). Older stroke survivors and rehabilitation therapists views on home-based resistance exercise for upper limbs. Age and Ageing, 53 (Supp 1). http://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afad246.128

Dawber, W., Foster, L., Senior, T., & Hart, J. (2023). Traumatic Brain Injury Predictions Amid Equestrian Activity with Realistic Biomechanical Constraints. 2023 IRCOBI Conference Proceedings, 637-638. http://www.ircobi.org/wordpress/downloads/irc23/pdf-files/2381.pdf

Haid, D., Duncan, O., Hart, J., & Foster, L. (2023). Adaptable Mechanical Metamaterial for Ice Hockey Helmet Liners. 2023 IRCOBI Conference Proceedings, 23 (123), 972-973. https://www.ircobi.org/wordpress/downloads/irc23/pdf-files/23123.pdf

Thelwell, M., BULLAS, A., KUHNAPFEL, A., Hart, J., AHNERT, P., Wheat, J., ... CHOPPIN, S. (2020). Allometry Between Measures of Body Size and Shape in a Large Population-Based Cohort. Proceedings of 3DBODY.TECH 2020 - 11th International Conference and Exhibition on 3D Body Scanning and Processing Technologies, Online/Virtual, 17-18 November 2020. http://doi.org/10.15221/20.10

Delaye, S., Streeter, P., Morales, E., Wood, P., Senior, T., Hart, J., & Allen, T. (2016). Modelling the Sound of a Golf Ball Impacting a Titanium Plate. Procedia engineering, 147, 354-359. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2016.06.309

Lukes, R., Hart, J., Potts, J., & Haake, S. (2014). A CFD analysis of flow around a disc. Procedia Engineering, 72, 685-690. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2014.06.116

Clarkson, S., Choppin, S., Hart, J., Heller, B., & Wheat, J. (2012). Calculating body segment inertia parameters from a single rapid scan using the Microsoft Kinect. In 3rd International Conference on 3D Body Scanning Technologies, Lugano, Switzerland, 16 October 2012 - 17 October 2012. http://www.3dbodyscanning.org/2012/

James, D., MacDonald, D.C., & Hart, J. (2012). The effect of atmospheric conditions on the swing of a cricket ball. Procedia engineering, 34, 188-193. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2012.04.033

Allen, T., Hart, J., Spurr, J., Haake, S., & Goodwill, S.R. (2010). Validated dynamic analysis of real sports equipment using finite element; a case study using tennis rackets. Procedia engineering, 2 (2), 3275-3280. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2010.04.144

Hart, J., Allen, T., & Holroyd, M. (2010). Downhill skateboard aerodynamics. Procedia engineering, 2 (2), 2523-2528. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2010.04.026

Hart, J., Curtis, D., & Haake, S. (2006). Computational fluid dynamic analysis of a water ski jumper. In Moritz, E.F., & Haake, S. (Eds.) Engineering of sport 6, (pp. 401-406). Springer: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-46050-5_71

Book chapters

Nickel, L., Haid, D., Duncan, O., Hart, J., & Foster, L. (2024). Reliability of a Test Method to Assess Ice Hockey Head Impacts. In Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering. (pp. 152-160). Springer Nature Switzerland: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-58094-9_18

Haid, D., Duncan, O., Hart, J., & Foster, L. (2024). Proof-of-Concept of an Adaptable Mechanical Metamaterial for Ice Hockey Helmet Liners. In Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering. (pp. 161-168). Springer Nature Switzerland: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-58094-9_19

Larmen, R., Turnock, S., & Hart, J. (2008). Mechanics of the bob skeleton and analysis of the variation in performance at the St. Moritz world championship of 2007. In Estivalet, M., & Brisson, P. (Eds.) The engineering of sport 7. (pp. 117-125). Springer: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-2-287-09413-2_14

Hart, J., Haake, S., Gazzara, R., & Pezzato, M. (2007). Improved aerodynamic design of tennis racket frames. In Miller, S., & Capel-Davis, J. (Eds.) Tennis science and technology 3. (pp. 121-127). International tennis federation

Lukes, R.A., Hart, J.H., Chin, S.B., & Haake, S. (2005). The role and validation of CFD applied to cycling. In Proceedings of the Fluent user group meeting, Warwick, UK. (pp. 65-75). Fluent

Lukes, R.A., Hart, J.H., Chin, S.B., & Haake, S. (2005). Validation of computational fluid dynamics applied to aerodynamic flows in sport with specific application to cycling. In Subic, A., & Ujihashi, S. (Eds.) Proceedings of the Asia-Pacific congress on sports technology. (pp. 286-291). Australasian sports technology alliance

Lukes, R.A., Chin, S.B., Hart, J.H., & Haake, S. (2004). The aerodynamics of mountain bicycles: the role of computational fluid dynamics. In Hubbard, M., Mehta, R.D., & Pallis, J.M. (Eds.) The engineering of sport 5. (pp. 104-110). International sport engineering association

Theses / Dissertations

Haid, D.M. (2024). Towards concussion prevention in ice hockey: mechanical metamaterial liners and helmet assessment. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Foster, L., Duncan, O., & Hart, J. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00602

Thelwell, M. (2021). Assessing human morphology using statistical shape analysis. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Choppin, S., Wheat, J., Hart, J., & Bullas, A. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00369

Patents

Hart, J., & Warnock, R. (2019). Eye Shades. USD837870S1. https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/8d/ff/e7/e8ddddf297c723/USD837870.pdf

Hart, J., & Hamilton, N. (2017). Shuttlecock. EP2729222B1. https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/4e/86/14/e05eb9bb587f06/EP2729222B1.pdf

Hart, J., & Hamilton, N. (2016). Shuttlecock. CN103717275B. https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/52/6a/92/37fc9ebdff2cd2/CN103717275B.pdf

Hart, J., & King, C. (2014). Gaming net. GB2510193A. https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/e2/27/fc/7482d1bdc4b8d8/GB2510193A.pdf

Henrikson, E., Wood, P., Hart, J., & Schweigert, B. (2013). Golf club heads with turbulators and methods to manufacture golf club, heads with turbulators. US8608587B2. https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/7f/f7/82/7fd010bada36e4/US8608587.pdf

Media

Westerman, J., & Hart, J. (2011). Fly birdie fly. [video]. Sheffield Hallam University

Other publications

Hart, J., Dunn, M., & James, D. (2018). Handbook of test methods for wearable EPTS devices. FIFA: https://football-technology.fifa.com/media/171884/test-manual-epts-wearables-v1_6.pdf

Media

Dr John Hart is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Sports Engineering Research (CSER). John is an expert in computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), reverse engineering and 3D imaging. He delivers engineering solutions to a wide range of clients within the sports and healthcare sectors both within the UK and internationally. This has included: assisting FIFA in the development of equipment standards; development of novel sports projectiles with international clients and Badminton England, funded under the Sport England Innovation Fund; development of equipment for use with dysphagia sufferers funded by the Abbeyfield Research Foundation; CFD consultancy for Ping Golf, work which led to the G30 driver, a #1 selling driver in Europe and USA. In addition to his research John is course leader for MSc Sports Engineering and lectures on a number of modules at Sheffield Hallam University, and is the department resident photographer.

The Centre for Sports Engineering Research (CSER) is led by Dr Simon Goodwill. It is the world's largest academic group in sports engineering and an internationally renowned centre of excellence for research and knowledge transfer. The centre's work is based on four research disciplines; applied computing, biomechanics, design engineering, and skill acquisition. In each area, researchers develop fundamental knowledge and deliver applied solutions to enhance athletic performance, reduce injury and promote physical activity.

CSER works in partnership with many sport, health and commercial organisations. We are immensely proud of our work with Team GB Olympic, and Paralympic athletes, and we enjoy research partnerships with global organisations such as the International Tennis Federation, FIFA, and Adidas.

Areas of expertise:

  • Sports engineering
  • Aerodynamics
  • Fluid dynamics
  • Design engineering
  • CFD
  • Simulation
  • 3D imaging

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