Skin-spiration

ASEE Prism, Summer 2008 by Grose, Thomas K

AEROSPACE ENGINEERING

SHARKS! They're fierce, but more important, they're fast. Now Amy Lang, assistant professor of aerospace engineering and mechanics at the University of Alabama, is studying the creatures for insights on aerodynamic drag. Lang believes the fastest-swimming sharks bristle their scales for a unique skin pattern that reduces resistance. She's testing her theory with a model covered in simulated shark skin. If she's right, the technique could lead to aircraft outer skin that cuts drag by as much as 30 percent. Reduce drag by a mere 1 percent and commercial aircraft could save 25,000 gallons of fuel a year, while limiting the emission of pollutants. Now that's sleek.-THOMAS K. GROSE