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Jenn Stroud Rossmann, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, provided commentary about the aerodynamics of the Wiffle ball for the documentary film Yard Work, which aired Sept. 10 on the New England Sports Network.
Written and directed by filmmaker Brett Bevelacqua, Yard Work is a one-hour film offering an unprecedented look at the world of professional Wiffle ball, including the championship game in Cedar Park, Texas. The film was shot in 2008 in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and locations in the New England area.
In her interview, Rossmann explains the physics behind the Wiffle ball’s unique movement. Rossmann and mechanical engineering graduate Andrew Rau ’08 published research, “An experimental study of Wiffle ball aerodynamics,” in the December 2007 edition of the American Journal of Physics.
Rossmann works extensively with students on a one-on-one basis through independent studies and honors projects, as well as including them in her own research as part of the EXCEL Scholars program. Many of these students have coauthored articles with her in professional journals and have presented their research at national and international conferences. Her research interests include biological fluid dynamics, biomechanics, and aerodynamics of sports balls.
Rossmann has received two grants from the National Science Foundation totaling $266,000, and she is the coauthor of the textbook Introduction to Engineering Mechanics: A Continuum Approach (2008).
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