Fake Shark Skin Could Make Navy Fleet Faster

cheeks69 · 07-18-2005, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Shark scales are made of a hard material called dentin. Basically, the scales are tiny teeth. They all point backward, so a shark would feel smooth if you dared to stroke it from head to tail, but rough if you ran your hand the other way.

Studies have found that the scales act as armor for a shark and also create tiny vortices that reduce drag to make them faster. The scales also allow sharks to swim silently compared to other fish that generate considerable noise when they ply the water.

The design has proved useful to humans in many ways.

Norwegians applied real shark skin to the soles of their boots to prevent slippage on wet ship decks. In the 2000 Olympics, swimmers began wearing full-body suits modeled on shark skin....

Shark skin has been used by many cultures as sandpaper. It's kept shipmates safe in slippery-when-wet conditions. Swimsuits modeled on shark skin are said by Speedo to reduce drag by up to 4 percent.

Now, research by two separate groups could lead to synthetic shark skin that would make ships and submarines faster and less expensive to operate.

If the research pans out, submarines -- already stealthy and shark-like -- could become even more so.

http://www.livescience.com/technolog...hark_skin.html

Woodstock · 07-18-2005, 12:41 PM

Very interesting... Thanks Robert.

Rougiem · 07-18-2005, 02:18 PM

Excellent article Cheeks!

I find it encouraging they have a better understanding of the structural make-up of the skin. IMHO I am not so keen on them using the real stuff! Resources are there to develop many of nature's compounds without causing harm to the organisms in question.

Cheers!

Gina · 07-18-2005, 03:30 PM

Great article Robert!
Just by looking at a shark I would have thought their skin would have felt rubbery sliding your hand in both directions. I'm glad they have been able to develope sythetic shark skin verses using real shark skin.
We already kill sharks by cutting of thier fins to make some of the arthritis medication that is out there.

KimPossible · 07-18-2005, 03:39 PM

Very Interesting!
I wonder what a Speedo would feel like if I ran my hands across it both ways ?

Couldn't help myself!

Rougiem · 07-18-2005, 03:56 PM

Good one Kim! Rough one way smooth the other?

Cheers!

Yarr · 07-22-2005, 03:23 AM

my bet is that they'd feel somewhat..... good

07-18-2005, 12:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,198 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Very interesting... Thanks Robert. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My QT/Hospital Tank* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MHs, dual Geiseman Actinic T5s,Neptune AC III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

07-18-2005, 02:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rougiem Ichthy Inquisitor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Biggest Little City In The World Posts: 2,898 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Excellent article Cheeks! I find it encouraging they have a better understanding of the structural make-up of the skin. IMHO I am not so keen on them using the real stuff! Resources are there to develop many of nature's compounds without causing harm to the organisms in question. Cheers! __________________ "Apes don't read philosophy." "Yes they do Otto, they just don't understand it." Intial School Tank Set Up and Progress Last edited by Rougiem : 07-18-2005 at 03:35 PM.

07-18-2005, 03:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,826 View Gallery Karma Komment	Great article Robert! Just by looking at a shark I would have thought their skin would have felt rubbery sliding your hand in both directions. I'm glad they have been able to develope sythetic shark skin verses using real shark skin. We already kill sharks by cutting of thier fins to make some of the arthritis medication that is out there. __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

07-18-2005, 03:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
KimPossible Golden Moray Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 2,549 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Very Interesting! I wonder what a Speedo would feel like if I ran my hands across it both ways ? Couldn't help myself! __________________ Kim ~My environment is a product of myself~

07-18-2005, 03:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
Rougiem Ichthy Inquisitor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Biggest Little City In The World Posts: 2,898 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Good one Kim! Rough one way smooth the other? Cheers! __________________ "Apes don't read philosophy." "Yes they do Otto, they just don't understand it." Intial School Tank Set Up and Progress

07-22-2005, 03:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
Yarr Neon dottyback Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Afghanistan Posts: 605 View Gallery Karma Komment	my bet is that they'd feel somewhat..... good __________________ updating

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