Shark skin inspires ship coating
A new environmentally friendly coating based on sharks' skin may soon help the U.S. Navy increase ship speeds while saving fuel. The coating doesn't go anywhere near the engines -- it will be applied on the hull of ships below the waterline, where all manner of algae, barnacles and other wee beasties attach themselves, slowing ships and reducing their manoeuvrability.
Source: napa.ufl.eduAdded: 30 June 2006