Greg wrote:
It wouldn't be too hard to make a spring powered mechanical leg with a scale on it to measure generated force.
I think an electronic sensor would work best 'cause the force would change during a kick cycle and this could be recorded onto a computer. A fin which records the highest ultimate force may not have the highest average force. Don't forget that highest average force is more important. Then force per unit time based on this data could be calculated. The same would have to be done for the energy input into the motor. Also the motor would have to change its speed during a fin cycle to mimick human movement. This would have to be electronically programmed too, and could be easily changed to copy different kicking styles. The mechanical movement of the thigh / calf / foot would be the hardest part of the whole project. Hydraulics?
An electronic force sensor may also help identify which certain features of a fin add to its performance during different stages of a fin cycle. The experts out there would already have a great idea about what's happening but this would be taking it to the next level.
As for the comfort that would have to be human trialed.
I haven't seen anything like this on the internet but that doesn't mean companies out there haven't already built something along these lines. I'd be very surprised if they haven't. If they haven't then whoever jumps onto it first will have a great selling point to promote their products.
Mares have a rig which tests their guns aim and maneuverability against those of its competitors (those which they choose - I guess they can just leave out the guns which they test which perform better than their guns). They use this as a promotional tool and I think works quite well.