Although traditional wind turbines have relatively little impact on the environment compared to fossil fuels, they still aren’t perfect. Mainly, people complain that the installations produce too much noise, pollute the view of landscapes, and kill birds and bats that fly into them. It’s for this reason and because their design can always be improved that a number of innovators are working on alternative concepts. One that might peak your interest was designed by Tyer Winds, and it’s the first mechanical device in the world that mimics the motion of a hummingbird in flight.
The Tunisian invention is being heralded as a revolutionary breakthrough in the field of mechanics. Hassine Labaied, partner and co-founder of Tyer Wind, told Inhabitat that only recently have scientists begin to apply new understandings of animal and human motion into wings. The new wind power plant design is far more efficient than standard turbines due to 3D Aouinian kinematics pioneered by Anis Aouini.
The unique model replicates the mechanism that allows hummingbirds to fly in one place with a wind turbine that moves in a figure 8 configuration. With two vertical axis wings made from carbon fiber (each 5.25 feet long), kinetic wind energy is converted into emissions-free electricity.
A pre-industrial rated power output of 1kW results from the two wings sweeping an area of nearly 12 square feet.
The video below shows how a pilot machine is presently being tested in Tunisia. Tyer Winds relays that the initial tests for power efficiency, aerodynamic behavior, and material resistance have been encouraging, and that recorded data will be shared with the public after a period of time.
This isn’t the first time 3D Aouinian kinematics has been utilized to improve innovations. Reportedly, external combustion engines, external combustion engines, pumps, and a marine propulsion have all benefited from the technology.
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