Swimwear crafted from sharkskin
In the fascinating world of biomimetics, designs inspired by nature are being used to improve the efficiency of swimming and flying. This innovative approach, known as biomimetic technology, is particularly inspired by the unique microstructure of shark skin, which has been found to reduce drag significantly.
In the realm of swimming, shark skin is covered with tiny toothlike scales called denticles. These scales create small vortices in water flow, reducing friction by up to 8-10%. This drag reduction improves speed and efficiency without the need for extra energy expenditure. This discovery has led to the creation of ribbed swimsuits designed with textures mimicking shark skin. These suits have been widely adopted in competitive swimming, contributing to breaking numerous world records.
Beyond just speed, the shark-skin structure also offers antimicrobial properties. These properties have been translated into bio-inspired hospital textiles that resist bacterial growth.
In the aviation industry, Lufthansa Technik is applying a shark skin-inspired film on Airbus A330 aircraft surfaces. This film replicates the alternating high and low ridges of shark denticles, controlling flow separation and thereby reducing pressure drag on the aircraft. This biomimetic film can enhance fuel efficiency by decreasing aerodynamic drag during flight, echoing the shark’s evolutionary advantage of efficient, swift movement through water.
Engineers also explore dynamic surface texture changes similar to how a shortfin mako shark’s denticles can lift or flatten to aid in maneuverability and drag control.
The application of biomimetic shark skin technology is not without controversy. In sports, the use of shark-inspired swimsuits led to record-breaking performances, but they were later banned due to their advantageous nature.
In the aviation sector, airlines are currently coating many planes with materials inspired by shark skin to save fuel. However, the effect of these coatings is less than in water but still significant.
Biomimetics has been applied to various fields, including sports and aviation, and its impact on performance and efficiency is undeniable. By learning from designs in nature, we are able to create technologies that can improve our own efficiency and reduce our environmental footprint.
References: 1. Biomimetic shark skin technology for aircraft surfaces 2. Shark skin-inspired swimsuits: Fast, sleek, and controversial 3. Lufthansa Technik applies shark-inspired film to Airbus A330
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