Inspiring Nature

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Just to be sensitive to Nature and consider it as an integral part of our existence can help reveal its wonders and secrets that can make our lives so much better. The idea of our seperatedness with Nature is our biggest folly. But if we extend love and compassion to cover within its remit all living beings; Nature in all its perfection and beauty, we stand a chance for survival in the long run.

Here is a passage from 'Alice in Wonderland' by Lewis Caroll that is a brilliant example of sensitivity to Nature in all its beauty and splendour:

"I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again."

Another technology innovation inspired by Nature is from humpback whales.

The bumps on the leading edge of the humpback whale's flipper give it a hydrodynamic advantage. These bumps, called tubercles, make humpback whales more hydrodynamic by reducing drag and increasing lift. Researchers are discovering that similar bumps could make wind turbines, fan blades, and airplane wings more efficient. Adding rows of bumps to turbine blades reduced drag and noise, and increased their efficiency.

I understand that similar tubercle modifications have been made in marine propeller blades? See pictures below:











 



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