Sharks are one of nature’s most efficient swimmers, gliding through water with remarkable ease. The secret to their aquadynamic prowess lies in their skin. Shark skin is covered in tiny structures called dermal denticles, which are tooth-like scales that create tiny vortices, reducing drag as the shark swims.
Engineers and designers at major sportswear companies took inspiration from this natural design to create a new generation of high-performance swimsuits. These suits are designed to mimic the properties of shark skin:
- Texture: The surface of the suit is covered in tiny, ridge-like structures that imitate shark denticles.
- Material: Advanced polymers are used to create a super-hydrophobic surface that repels water.
- Design: The suits are engineered to compress the swimmer’s body into a more streamlined shape.
When these suits were first introduced in the early 2000s, they had a dramatic impact on competitive swimming. In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, an unprecedented 23 world records were broken by athletes wearing these suits (1). This shocking growth was so impressive that it led to debates about technological doping and the fairness of these suits. In 2010, FINA (the international governing body of swimming now known as World Aquatics), banned full-body swimsuits and placed restrictions on materials, in efforts to end the “super-suit” era. This era is known to be a time where new technology went “too far”.
While full-body shark-skin suits are no longer allowed in competitive swimming, the research they inspired continues to drive innovation. For example, scientists are developing even more advanced materials that could provide benefits within current regulations, these same principles are being applied to training suits to help swimmers optimize their technique, and the lessons learned from this technology are being applied in fields as diverse as renewable energy and medical devices.
The story of shark-skin-inspired swimsuits is a perfect example of how biomimicry can drive innovation in unexpected ways. By observing these natural mechanisms, we can develop smarter and more effective technologies as we continue to face complex challenges in various fields and look to improve and advance existing technology.
Works Cited
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