So the leading-edge bumps play the same role as vortex generators, but
because they work in a more viscous medium (about 100x more viscous than
air) they're a lot more effective. It will be interesting to see if anyone
has success with an RC airplane with lumpy wings; or if sailboats will
adopt lumpy rudders.


"Larry Dighera" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 19 Aug 2005 18:03:36 GMT, Jose
wrote in ::

The bumpy flipper produced 8 percent more lift and 32 percent less
drag, and stalled at a 40 percent steeper angle. The researchers said
that as a whale moves through water, the tubercles cause swirling
vortices

Of course the physics is different,

Yes. Completely.

but it reminds me of an ad in
Scientific American some thirty years ago touting the benefits of the
new "rough" coating on electric cables, which allowed lower friction
when being pulled through a conduit.

As a union electrician for 40+ years, this is the first mention I have
heard of that. Interesting.