Biologist Analyzes Whale Fin; redesigns foils to gain 20% increase in efficiency

Professor Frank Fish became intrigued with the curious bumps or tubercles on the pectoral flipper of the Humpback Whale, and decided to investigate .

Fish, of West Chester University of Pennsylvania, discovered through use of wind tunnels, that the irregular serrations were no anomaly.  The flipper exhibited a much steeper stall angle compared to a smooth shape.  Each tubercle apparently redirects and channels fluid over the flipper, creating vortexes that improve lift.

Fish has formed a company called WhalePower, which recently licensed the design for a new line of fans and wind turbines.  The blades realize 20 percent decreases in energy use and a significant drop in noise levels.

It just shows what 30 million years of evolutionary field testing can provide.

See Christian Science Monitor article.

Found at Sailing Anarchy

Link to abstract of paper