by Playfuls Staff |
22nd January 2007
Dutch scientists aim to reduce the noise generated by wind turbines by imitating the almost silent flight of an owl as it descends on its prey. [more]
Just as the owl has soft downy feathers on the trailing edge of its wing, the intention is to equip the vanes of electricity- generating turbines with brushes.
Stefan Oerlemans of the Dutch national laboratory for aerospace in Marknesse has researched the effect for a European project on windmills that is seeking ways to reduce noise without loss of energy.
Precise details of how the brushes might work have yet to be revealed.
© 2007 DPA
