Dr Mahdavi is working on other lattice structures, including aerodynamic body parts for racing cars and special insoles for a firm that hopes to make the world's most comfortable stiletto-heeled shoes.

ECONOMIST: 3D printing

Resting too much weight on the upper body and forcing riders into a hunched position may be more aerodynamic, but it also puts undue strain on the human body.

ENGADGET: Engineering a better bicycle with DBC City Bike Design Alt

To design the suit gold medalist Billy Demong wore in Vancouver during Nordic Combined, which involves both ski jumping and cross-country, Flanagan and his team created a digital avatar of Demong's body and used computer imaging to determine the most aerodynamic pattern for stitching the suit.

WSJ: U.S. Ski Team Pins Hopes for Sochi on Science