Shark Skin Technology Could Cut Airline Fuel Use by 4%, Reducing Carbon Emissions
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📰 The quick summary: Delta Air Lines is testing an innovative adhesive film inspired by shark skin that can reduce aircraft drag by up to 4%, potentially saving billions in fuel costs and cutting carbon emissions across the aviation industry.
📈 One key stat: The shark skin-inspired riblet modification can improve aircraft efficiency by up to 4%, representing significant potential savings in an industry seeking sustainable solutions.
💬 One key quote: “Across the global aviation fleet, this means billions of dollars in fuel saved and millions of tons of CO2 emissions prevented.“
1️⃣ The big picture: An Australian aviation startup called MicroTau has developed a groundbreaking adhesive film inspired by shark skin that can reduce drag on aircraft. The film mimics the tiny dermal grooves (riblets) found on shark skin, which help sharks swim faster while using less energy. When applied to aircraft wings, fuselage, and tail, these microscopic grooves smooth airflow and improve efficiency. Delta Air Lines has partnered with MicroTau to test this technology on their Boeing 767 fleet as part of their sustainability initiatives. This innovation represents the airline industry’s growing interest in biomimicry solutions to reduce environmental impact.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: This innovation tackles a major environmental challenge in aviation without requiring a complete redesign of aircraft. By simply applying an adhesive film to existing planes, airlines can achieve meaningful efficiency improvements that translate to substantial fuel savings and emissions reductions. The technology leverages nature’s own solutions through biomimicry, demonstrating how studying animal adaptations can solve human engineering problems. For passengers, this could eventually mean lower ticket prices as airlines reduce operating costs. The broader impact extends to helping the aviation industry progress toward its ambitious goal of net zero emissions by 2050.
3️⃣ What’s next: Delta will evaluate the actual fuel savings generated by MicroTau’s product during testing on its Boeing 767 fleet. If successful, the technology could be expanded to more aircraft in Delta’s fleet and potentially adopted by other airlines. The project forms part of Delta’s larger sustainability initiative that includes partnerships with Airbus, Boeing, JetZero, and electric air taxi company Joby Aviation.
Read the full story here: Good News Network – ‘Shark Skin’ Coating for Airliners May Cut Fuel Use by 4% – Delta is Testing on its 767 Fleet
