The Neil Ashton Podcast

In this conversation, Neil interviews Dimitris Katsanis, one of the world leading experts in bike design. They discuss the UCI regulations that govern bike design for road and track racing. Dimitris explains the evolution of bike design and the role of carbon fiber and titanium in creating lightweight and aerodynamic bikes. He also talks about his collaboration with Pinarello and the development of the Dogma F8 and F10 bikes. Dimitris emphasizes the importance of balancing weight, stiffness, and aerodynamics in bike design and the ongoing pursuit of improvement in the field. In this part of the conversation, Dimitris Katsanis discusses the evolution of bike design, the importance of aerodynamics and system drag reduction, the differences between track and road bike design, the interactions between the bike and rider, the impact of weight and aerodynamics in solo breakaways, the ongoing weight vs. aero debate, the role of stiffness in bike design, the relationship between stiffness and comfort in bike frames, and the potential of 3D printing and additive manufacturing in bike manufacturing. In this conversation, we also discuss the limitations of carbon fiber in bike design and the potential of 3D printing to overcome these limitations. He explains how 3D printing allows for the creation of custom shapes and internal structures that can improve the performance and weight of bike components. Katsanis shares examples of 3D printed handlebars and frames that are lighter than their carbon fiber counterparts. He also discusses the future of mass customization in bike design and the impact of regulations on innovation. Finally, he speculates on what bikes may look like in the future if design restrictions were lifted.Chapters06:40 Introduction and Background11:10 UCI Regulations and Bike Design17:48 Evolution of Bike Design and UCI Regulations25:27 Influence of Weight and Aerodynamics on Bike Performance32:01 Pushing the Limits of Aerodynamics37:16 Yaw Sensitivity and Aerofoil Sections40:53 Continual Improvement in Bike Design42:25 The Evolution of Bike Design42:51 Aerodynamics and System Drag Reduction44:21 Track vs. Road Bike Design47:05 Interactions Between Bike and Rider48:02 The Importance of Aero in Solo Breakaways53:00 Weight vs. Aero Debate56:00 The Impact of Weight on Performance58:04 The Role of Stiffness in Bike Design01:04:01 Stiffness and Comfort in Bike Frames01:11:56 Materials in Bike Design: Steel, Aluminum, Titanium, and Carbon Fiber01:18:08 The Potential of 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing01:19:45 The Limitations of Carbon Fiber01:21:41 The Potential of 3D Printing01:24:10 The Surprising Lightness of 3D Printed Titanium01:28:02 The Future of Mass Customization01:34:06 The Impact of Regulations on Bike Design01:43:09 Speculating on the Bike of the Future

The discussion dives into the dilemma of pursuing a PhD versus jumping directly into the job market. Pros and cons of academia are laid bare, highlighting the rigorous path to becoming a professor and the demands of research publication. The tech sector shines as a lucrative alternative, with high salaries and opportunities in machine learning and data science. The rise of dual positions blurs the lines, offering the best of both academic and industry worlds. Listeners are urged to weigh their options carefully for a fulfilling career.

Professor Tony Purnell discusses his journey from a passion for motor racing and engineering in his youth to founding and leading Pi Research, a company specializing in race car electronics. He shares his experiences at university, including a Kennedy Scholarship to MIT, and his early career in the motor racing industry. Tony also explains how Pi Research expanded into the automotive industry and eventually caught the attention of Ford, leading to the company's acquisition. His story highlights the importance of passion, perseverance, and seizing opportunities in pursuing a successful career. Tony shares his experiences in the world of Formula One, from Ford's interest in buying the team to his role in restructuring the Aero department at Jaguar. He discusses the challenges he faced and the politics and dishonesty he encountered in the industry. Tony also reflects on the stress and burnout he experienced and the difficulties he had working with Red Bull. He highlights the contrasting views of Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone on the future of Formula One and the changes that occurred under Liberty Media's ownership. In this conversation, Tony discusses his experiences in Formula One and British Cycling. He talks about the challenges of managing Formula One and the difficulties faced by organizations like Toyota in adapting to the sport. He also shares his reasons for leaving the FIA, including the Max Mosley sex scandal. He highlights the innovations he contributed to Formula One, such as the introduction of adjustable ride height and the DRS system. He discusses the politics and paranoia in Formula One and the importance of working with manufacturers. He then transitions to his role in British Cycling, where he emphasizes the impact of engineering on the sport. Tony expresses his concerns about the increasing technicality of cycling and the need to balance technology with talent. He concludes by offering advice for aspiring engineers, emphasizing the importance of following dreams. Enjoy!

Florian Menter discusses his journey in the field of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the development of the K-Omega SST model. He shares his experiences working at NASA Ames and the collaborative environment in the CFD community. Florian also talks about his decision to return to Germany and his role in the early days of what would be become ANSYS. Florian Menter discusses the birth and development of the SST turbulence model, the challenges of transition modeling, and the future of RANS models. He also explores the potential of machine learning in CFD and shares advice for young researchers. The conversation highlights the importance of pursuing valuable ideas, keeping things simple, and envisioning the outcome of one's work. 

In this short first episode Neil will explain why he's created the podcast, the guests he'll be interviewing and the topics that will be covered.