The Wide Angle: 5 Shark-Inspired Technologies

By Tracy Staedter

5. Aerodynamic Surfaces for Vehicles

The same microscopic structure that makes sharks skin fast is being developed to streamline cars and make them more fuel efficient. The company SkinzWraps, which makes commercial vehicle wraps in crazy designs and colors, has developed a Fastskinz wrap with dimples. Air flows more efficiently overly the car's surface, improving MPG 18 to 20 percent for traditional internal combustion engine vehicles and 20 to 25 percent for gasoline hybrid vehicles, according to the company.