Dolphin Skin has Little Water Drag

Function

Dolphins have highly elastic skin that forms dents when the dolphin swims at high speeds. This reduces water resistance and allows the dolphin to swim efficiently.

Functional Classification

Transfer/Dispose/Circulate:
Convection
Efficiency(Energy Saving, Resource Saving, Light):
Air or water resistance evasion
Defense/Stability:
Wind resistance

Environmental Solution Classification

Related Literature

"Kramer ""The dolphins' secret"", New Scientist, 5 May 1960, p1118 Tributsch H. 1985. How Life Learned to Live: Adaptation in Nature. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press."

Technical Application

The structure of dolphin skin has been used to develop a bumpy mesh resin to be used in alpine skiing sportswear, particularly for clothes around the head and back. The structure has alos been used to develop artificial skin with carbon nanotubes and silicon, which functions similarly to a dolphin's skin.

Products and Services

Type of Business

Proposals of Applied Technology

Dolphin’s skin formation can be used to develop material that greatly decreases air and water resistance. It can also be useful to the creation of blades and similar devices that require low air resistance, such as for planes, trains, and wind power.

Proposals of Applied Industry

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