The ‘shark skin’ technology that could make flying cheaper

[Halcyon66]

‘Sharkskin’ makes planes faster, smoother, cheaper - Australian National Fabrication Facility Limited

anff.org.au

This Supersonic Jet’s Sharkskin-Like Coating Helps Reduce Its Emissions

The high-tech material, with microscopic ribulets that mimic sharkskin, is also being used on commercial jets, cargo planes, and military air transport.

tech.yahoo.com

Regards,

 

[DWG]

Sharkskin's been around for at least a decade, if not two (or three?). Take-up has never seemed to match the initial promise.

 

[tacitblue1973]

Sharkskin's been around for at least a decade, if not two (or three?). Take-up has never seemed to match the initial promise.

First time I remember it being used was on the last 12m edition of the America's Cup in 1987. Dennis Connor's Stars and Stripes '87 used a plastic film application on the hull in addition to extensive CFD for the time on the novel winged keel design it used. Not exactly aerospace but there's been some cross pollination between the nautical and aviation industries that have benefitted both sectors.

 

[GTX]

‘Sharkskin’ makes planes faster, smoother, cheaper - Australian National Fabrication Facility Limited

anff.org.au

I met these guys years ago. I don't think anything ever really came of their plans.

 

[siegecrossbow]

I wonder if it is really challenging to clean and maintain…