Whales and Wind Turbines: Science Inspired by Nature
- Amelia Ahnert
- Mar 19
- 3 min read
Scientists and engineers look for sources of inspiration in all sorts of places, from their textbooks, fellow scientists, and from nature. Biomimicry is the design of new technologies based on ideas found in nature. Velcro and bullet trains are both inventive examples of how we can benefit from learning about the world around us. You know velcro as the mechanism to keep your shoes on before you learned to tie shoelaces, but this invention was inspired by burrs. George de Mestral in 1941 looked at a burr under a microscope after seeing how well it stuck to him and his dog1. He observed that the burr was covered in tiny hooks that latched onto fabric and fur1. George came up with a hook and loop design that we now know as Velcro based on this observation.
One of the coolest examples I’ve learned about is a newer technological advancement inspired by whales, more specifically humpback whales. The fins of these mammals have bumpy edges that scientists contributed to their ability to be more agile in the water. Through a variety of studies by scientists, engineers, and mathematicians, it was determined that having these tubercles (bumpy edges) helps with lift and drag2. Lift being the force pushing up due to lower pressure above and drag being the force that pushes back, resisting movement.
If these terms brought to mind images of airplanes, well you’re on to something. Engineers thought so too. They used this observation from the biological world and looked for ways to incorporate it into technology, like plane wings and wind turbine blades. Studies have found promising results with planes being less likely to stall and wind turbines being able to capture more wind energy2. It’s incredible that observations in the marine biology world can translate to impactful changes in aviation and green energy. This is why it’s so important not to narrow curricula to one area of science but be willing to make connections to anything! You never know what you’ll discover.
Our wind turbine engineering challenge is one of my favorites because students can go in a million directions with it. There are so many variables that can be tested and design options for turbine blades. When I learned about this biomimicry connection, I loved how I could bring animals into this technology-centered lab to spark the interest of more students. It may inspire students to pull from other characteristics found in nature for their blade designs.
We also talk about the topic of biomimicry sometimes with our squid dissection lab by looking at features of the squid that can and have been used as inspiration. To learn more about how we cover this and other topics through our squid dissection based on grade-level, be on the look out for an upcoming blog article.
Biomimicry Resources!
Here’s a silly video on biomimicry to get students laughing and also thinking about how biomimicry can solve everyday problems.
Google slides for a student activity on biomimicry. This is great for remote learning days or as a start to a more extensive engineering project. Click on the picture below to get your own FREE copy of the assignment.
Looking for more biomimicry inspiration? Check out this website for over 1,500 features of living things that could serve as inspiration.
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