I am a technology nerd/geek/aficionado whatever. I LOVE new technology breakthroughs and I have a feed from Christian Science Monitor where I read about the latest and greatest everyday.

This article has to do with blade design and I mean fan blades. Inspired and field tested by Mother Nature this latest breakthrough will have an unprecedented impact in our daily lives.

Dr. Frank E. Fish (yeah, that's his name), a biologist, noticed, on a figurine of a hump back whale, the bumps on the front edge of its fins. "He was intrigued and decided to investigate."

His whale inspired blade design has been tested and patented. The benefits are amazing:

• These use about 20% less power, even at high pitch angles, drag is low.
• They Work more efficiently at lower speeds. Think wind turbines.
• The stall angle of traditional blades is 16 degrees. The new blades don't stall until a 31 degree angle! These blades provide more lift.
• Stalls can be violent cause damage to the blade and the engine they are connected to. With these blades, the stall is gradual and virtually eliminates the violent stalling.
• These blades are even more quiet.

How does this help us and what are the possible applications for this technology?

• For all of you Earth Huggers out there, wind turbines. Read Whalepower's full article regarding this.
• Car cooling fans, cooler engines means more efficient engines.
• Computer fans, quieter and more efficient. Cooler computers use less power.
• Airplane wings. More lift for faster take off using less fuel. Less drag making planes more fuel efficient. Plane turbines, increased blade angle allowing more powerful turbines while using 20% less energy, again saving fuel. Decreased chance of wing stall with a gradual stall, increasing safety of plane.
• Of course virtually EVERY cooling fan, home, office, industrial. One company can now make a 5 bladed fans that are more efficient than their traditional 10 bladed fan. This is a huge savings on Earth's resources and energy.
• Helicopters: commercial, medical, and military. They all become more safe, faster and more efficient.
• Submarines now become quieter, faster (less drag) and more maneuverable. Obviously a huge advantage for our military subs.
• I wonder if these blades would make better blenders? Margarita anyone?

Anyway, this is just an amazing discovery. Whalepower's wind turbine test comes to a close this year. I can't wait to see the results.

On a side note: I'm a true believer in the power of Mother Nature. She has already discovered the best and most efficient way to do just about everything. It's up to us to decipher her workings. Keep your senses open. You may discover something too!