The Tubercles on Humpback Whales' Flippers: Application of Bio-Inspired Technology

• Main Authors: Fish, Frank E, Weber, Paul W, Murray, Mark M, Howle, Laurens S
• Other Authors: NAVAL ACADEMY ANNAPOLIS MD DEPT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Biological Oceanography; Fluid Mechanics; *FLIPPERS; *HYDRODYNAMICS; BIOMECHANICS; LEADING EDGES; REPRINTS; WHALES; PASSIVE FLOW CONTROL DEVICES; HUMPBACK WHALE(MEGAPTERA NOVAEANGLIAE); TUBERCLES; Arlington; baleen whales; Humpback Whale; Megaptera novaeangliae
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA555120; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA555120

The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is exceptional among the large baleen whales in its ability to undertake aquabatic maneuvers to catch prey. Humpback whales utilize extremely mobile, wing-like flippers for banking and turning. Large rounded tubercles along the leading edge of the flipper...