Owl-Inspired Tech Could Make Wind Turbines Quieter

Technology





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Owl in flight. Jaroslaw Saternus/Shutterstock

As they swoop down on mice at night, the prey have no idea what's coming. This is because owls are the experts of silent flight. By studying how the birds manage this stealthy feat, scientists have developed a sound-dampening technology that could be used to coat wind turbines, airplane wings, and even the fans of computers, to make them quieter.