Fur decreases water turbulence: seals

1 of 1 Seal swimming / laika lis / License

The fur of seals may help them swim efficiently by maintaining laminar flow.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Manage structural forces >
	Turbulence

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Increasing efficiency of water transportation by decreasing friction.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"…the short wiry hair or feather coats of such good swimmers as seals and penguins seem to be a great advantage for the maintenance of laminar flows. This is borne out by technical experiments with fine wire on surfaces in a flow field (M. D. Kramer, 1938), as well as by indirect clues. The splendid fur of the seal, for instance, provides no protection against getting wet; it gets soaked through in the water. And, when exposed to the air, wet fur presents a considerable risk of a chill. We must assume that wet fur represents an advantage for swimming. And, like the seal's coat of hair, the feathers of birds may have a favorable effect on the boundary layer." (Tributsch 1984:49)

About the inspiring organism

Phocidae
Phocidae

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Increasing efficiency of water transportation by decreasing friction.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Transportation

References

Tributsch, H. 1984. How life learned to live. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press. 218 p.

Fur decreases water turbulence: seals

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