Nature is full of wonders that can inspire us to solve technological challenges. One such wonder is shark skin: at first glance, it appears smooth, but closer inspection reveals tiny, specially shaped scales known as placoid scales. This structure provides the shark with a hydrodynamic advantage, which could now also help humans to protect the climate.
In water, the fine grooves between the shark's scales reduce drag and prevent the formation of turbulent vortices that slow it down. This conserves the shark's energy, allowing it to swim faster with less effort. Humans capitalised on similar effects when wearing LZR Racer swimsuits, which caused a sensation at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The shark-skin-like structure of these suits led to new world records.
Now, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa Technik, and BASF are applying this principle of natural efficiency to aviation. By utilising riblets measuring approximately 50 micrometres, a grooved surface structure is created that reduces aerodynamic drag, thereby lowering fuel consumption. Reduced fuel consumption translates not only to lower costs, but crucially to fewer CO₂ emissions.
Initial testing demonstrates that the "sharkskin" coating, named "AeroSHARK", can reduce an aircraft's drag by up to 10 per cent. This could lead to a significant reduction in fuel consumption and emissions. According to Austrian Airlines, applying the technology to four Boeing 777 aircraft could save approximately 2,650 tonnes of fuel and over 8,300 tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to about 46 flights from Vienna to New York.
This example powerfully demonstrates how nature can serve as a blueprint for sustainable technologies to minimise environmental impact.
