Retro, sci-fi, and inspired by a shark caught by General Motors head Bill Mitchell. It's little wonder the Mako Shark Corvette has gained cult status among car enthusiasts. Here are some more of our top shark-inspired designs...
1961 Mako Shark Corvette —
Retro, sci-fi, and inspired by a shark caught by General Motors head Bill Mitchell. It's little wonder the Mako Shark Corvette has gained cult status among car enthusiasts. Here are some more of our top shark-inspired designs...
Courtesy GM Heritage Center
The most decorated Olympian of all time, U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps, blew the competition out of the water at the 2004 Athens Games, taking home six gold medals. Was the Speedo Fastskin II suit he wore -- modeled on drag-resistant shark skin -- part of his secret?
Speedo Fastskin II —
The most decorated Olympian of all time, U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps, blew the competition out of the water at the 2004 Athens Games, taking home six gold medals. Was the Speedo Fastskin II suit he wore -- modeled on drag-resistant shark skin -- part of his secret?
Courtesy Speedo
While other tidal turbines might use propellers to harness energy, this BioSTREAM device is modeled on a shark's tail. Each 20-meter-long oscillating tail can generate 250 kilowatts of electricity -- enough to power 200 houses.
Tidal turbine —
While other tidal turbines might use propellers to harness energy, this BioSTREAM device is modeled on a shark's tail. Each 20-meter-long oscillating tail can generate 250 kilowatts of electricity -- enough to power 200 houses.
Courtesy BioPower Systems
This microscopic image of shark skin shows the dermal denticles which are much like tiny teeth. "It's not a favorable place for bacteria -- they don't like to colonize there," said chemist Mark Dorfman of the Biomimicry Institute. "By putting it on a hospital surface it could remove the need for harsh chemicals."
Antibacterial 'skin' —
This microscopic image of shark skin shows the dermal denticles which are much like tiny teeth. "It's not a favorable place for bacteria -- they don't like to colonize there," said chemist Mark Dorfman of the Biomimicry Institute. "By putting it on a hospital surface it could remove the need for harsh chemicals."
Courtesy George Lauder
These shark-repellent wetsuits were inspired by our fear of the great predators. The back and white striped version signals that we're unappealing food. While the blue and white suit helps camouflage divers in the water.
Shark-repellent wetsuit —
These shark-repellent wetsuits were inspired by our fear of the great predators. The back and white striped version signals that we're unappealing food. While the blue and white suit helps camouflage divers in the water.
Courtesy Shark Attack Mitigation Systems