Humpback whales inspire better helicopter rotor blades
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The LEVoG-equipped DLR Bo 105 research helicopter
A humpback whale, with its tubercle-bearing pectoral fins
Kai Richter with a single LEVoG
Kai Richter (left) and Holger Mai of DLR inspect the installation of humpback whale-inspired "LEVoGs" on the test helicopter
Article Summary
Oh, those humpback whales and their weird fins. First, they inspired more efficient wind turbines. Next, their unique qualities were copied by undersea turbines used to harness tidal flow energy. Now, they’ve led to rotor blades that allow helicopters to be more maneuverable. It all comes down to bumps along their leading edge, known as tubercles.
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