Whale inspired wind turbine blades

ScubaGypsy · 01-25-2009, 07:40 PM

After reading the thread concerning the magnetic levitating vertical axis turbines, I'm curious if others might be familiar with the idea of replicating humpback whale fins as the edge design of wind turbine blades. In the past year there have been discussions by Technology Review, Scientific American as well as others. The concept is credited to biology Professor Frank Fish of West Chester University who is also involved with a new start-up company called Whale Power. It sounds interesting and innovative, hope it is successful.

Rokeby · 01-25-2009, 08:49 PM

FWIW, some additional info/thoughts on whale tubercle inspired engineering is
available here:

Whale tubercles for trailing edge? - EcoModder.com

hyo silver · 01-26-2009, 11:10 AM

What a neat idea. This field of biomimicry sounds very promising.

01-25-2009, 07:40 PM	#1
ScubaGypsy Live Free & Leave No Footprint Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Aquidneck Island, RI Posts: 95 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 1	Whale inspired wind turbine blades After reading the thread concerning the magnetic levitating vertical axis turbines, I'm curious if others might be familiar with the idea of replicating humpback whale fins as the edge design of wind turbine blades. In the past year there have been discussions by Technology Review, Scientific American as well as others. The concept is credited to biology Professor Frank Fish of West Chester University who is also involved with a new start-up company called Whale Power. It sounds interesting and innovative, hope it is successful.

01-25-2009, 08:49 PM	#2
Rokeby Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ballamer, Merlin Posts: 1,518 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 96 Thanked 74 Times in 54 Posts Friends: 2	Re: Whale inspired wind turbine blades FWIW, some additional info/thoughts on whale tubercle inspired engineering is available here: Whale tubercles for trailing edge? - EcoModder.com

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01-26-2009, 11:10 AM	#3
hyo silver awaaay Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 10,726 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: Base Thanks: 47 Thanked 152 Times in 107 Posts Friends: 63	What a neat idea. This field of biomimicry sounds very promising.