THE MOST BEAUTIFUL NATURE OF ENERGY NOW

Recent incredible advances in sustainable energy technology are a result of biomimicry -- industrial designs that mimic those found in nature. Check out some of the latest, and most beautiful energy producers and managers developed below.

LILY IMPELLER -- PAX SCIENTIFIC

The Lily Impeller, designed by Pax Scientific, is shaped like a calla lily and is based on principles of natural fluid flow.

Utilizing the Fibonacci number sequence, a mathematical pattern often found in nature, the Lily Impeller moves fluids more quietly and efficiently than other fluid handlers.

At only 8” tall, the Lily Impeller can effectively mix millions of gallons of water using minimal energy, equivalent to three 100-watt light bulbs. 

SWARM LOGIC -- ENCYCLE

Swarm Logic is an energy demand management software system, developed by Encycle (formerly Regen Energy), mimics the communication patterns of honeybees. It can save 15-30% of energy consumption and demand charges.

WIND TURBINES -- DABIRI LAB

Wind Turbine clusters, designed by Dabiri Lab, mimic schools of fish, as they swim in tight clusters. John Dabiri and his team at Stanford developed this formation as a solution to one of the big drawbacks of wind power -- the large amount of space typically needed in between turbines to avoid turbulence.

By studying fish, Dabiri found a way to locate groups of specially designed vertical axis turbines, such that the proximity of other turbines becomes beneficial.

CO2 CONCRETE -- BLUE PLANET

Blue Planet produces cement in a room temperature process that uses alkaline chemistry to grow a form of cement similar to the way a coral reef grows in the ocean. The process extracts carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converts it to make concrete.

This concrete can replace a very energy-intensive, carbon-emitting manufacturing process with a carbon-negative one.

WHALEPOWER TUBERCLE TECHNOLOGY - WHALEPOWER CORP

Whalepower Tubercle Technology, designed by biomechanics professor Frank Fish, of Whalepower Corporation, mimics a humpback whale fin. While conventional fluid mechanics holds that the leading edge of a blade is most efficient when it is smooth, Fish noticed that the front edges of the whale’s flippers were covered in bumps.

Upon further investigation, Fish discovered that the bumps on the whale’s flippers actually improved their performance. By imitating them, he was able to make turbines and airfoils that had more efficient lift, were less likely to stall, and operate more quietly.

BIOWAVE - BIOPOWER

The Biowave, designed by Australia-based BioPower Systems, mimics the motion of bull kelp as it sways with ocean currents and waves in oceans around Australia. The plants can grow over 100’ high.  As the Biowave sways, it harvests the energy that flows through it.

Read more about Beautiful Energy in The Most Beautiful Energy From The Sun Now.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact Daily Fix posts.

IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: by Lindsay Schoenfeld. “Calla trio.”
2. Image: Courtesy of Pax Scientific. “Lily Impeller.”
3. Image: by Alan Vernon. “Calla Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica.)”
4. Image: Courtesy of Pax Scientific. Jay Harman, inventor. The Lily Impeller
5. Image: by Skip Steuart. “May Swarm.”
6. Image: by Sam Howzit. “School of Fish.”
7. Image: Courtesy of Dabiri Lab. The Caltech Field Laboratory for Optimized Wind Energy.
8. Image: by Jim Maragos. Courtesy of USFWS - Pacific Region. “Coral Reef at Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.”
9. Image: by Only_Point_Five. “Coral Reef.”
10. Image: Courtesy of WildQuest. “Humpback Whales.”
11. Image: Courtesy of WhalePower. “Wind Turbine.”
12. Image: by Florian Graner. Courtesy of Green Fire Productions. “Harbor Seal in Bull Kelp.”
13. Image: Courtesy of BioPower Systems. BioWave.
14. Image: Courtesy of Caltech. Vertical Axis Wind Turbine.
15. Image: by BN App - Download now!
16. Image: by Morgan Schmorgan. “Pink Calla Middle.”