Force-Sensing Swimming Starting Block; The Impact of Quantum Computing on the Climate

In my technical project, my team and I built a force-measuring diving block sensor system for the UVA Swim & Dive team. Our goal was to improve training precision by collecting real-time force data when a swimmer launches off the block. While our project focuses on the practical application of electrical and computer systems, it also highlights the role of computation in athletics. This is a domain which is increasingly dependent on advanced technologies like machine learning. To understand the wider implications of these technologies, my STS research paper analyzes the environmental consequences of emerging computing technology. In particular, my paper focuses on quantum computing and its integration with cloud infrastructure.
The technical device we developed is a multi-component system that allows the UVA Swim Team to gather data on start performance. This system includes a custom PCB that sums signals from multiple sensors, a microcontroller that transmits the data wirelessly and to a physical LCD screen, and a user interface for viewing and recording start data. We built an aluminum sleeve for the front of the block and a plate for the back fin that are embedded with force sensors which capture pressure data when a swimmer jumps. These analog signals are summed through a custom PCB, and are transmitted by a microcontroller to an application. The app logs performance data and displays it in real time. Our work involved both hardware design and software engineering. The final prototype was tested in partnership with the UVA Swim and Dive team and designed for use in their training.
In my STS research paper, I argue that quantum computing, while promising significant computational advances, presents serious environmental sustainability challenges. Using Langdon Winner’s theory of technological politics, I discuss how quantum computing is not a neutral scientific advancement. Instead it is a socio-technical system shaped by political, ethical, and ecological factors. My paper explores how the energy consumption, material sourcing, and centralized control over quantum computers pose risks to both environmental sustainability and equitable access. I look into how integration with data centers and cloud platforms could further increase the carbon footprint of computing. This emphasizes the need for regulations, ethical material sourcing, and sustainable development.
Working on both projects gave me a deeper appreciation of the impacts of engineering work. While our diving block system is small-scale and focused on athletic performance, it relies on the same core computer ideas, embedded processors, data transmission networks, and cloud-based data storage, that my STS paper discusses. Moving forward in my career, I want to be conscious of incorporating sustainability into my engineering decisions. I will advocate for responsible design practices that balance innovation with environmental responsibility.

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

Technical Advisor: Adam Barnes

STS Advisor: Kathryn Webb-DeStefano

Technical Team Members: Andy Chen, Liam Colbert, Preston Borden, Meghana Guttikonda