Shark skin-inspired material promises to revolutionise air travel with fuel savings, lower emissions

A groundbreaking material inspired by shark skin’s natural texture is set to help commercial airliners, supersonic jets, and military aircraft reduce fuel consumption and lower carbon emissions during flight.

Developed by Australian aerospace company MicroTau, the material features microscopic grooves that align with the airflow over an aircraft's surface, reducing drag and increasing fuel efficiency. The design mimics shark skin, which allows the creatures to swim through water with minimal resistance, according to a scietific website.

MicroTau’s material, applied as patches to aircraft, is already undergoing tests with both commercial and military customers. According to simulations, commercial airliners could see up to a 4 per cent reduction in fuel consumption if the patches cover enough of the aircraft. “We can get 4 percent or even slightly more at cruise conditions, but this will ultimately depend on how much coverage, the aircraft type, and operating conditions,” says a MicroTau spokesperson. However, flight testing will be required to verify these results for each specific aircraft.

A 4 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency could be a game-changer for the aviation industry, allowing airlines to save on fuel costs or fly longer distances with the same fuel. Tony Farina, an expert at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the US, calls this improvement “huge.”

Delta Air Lines and Jetstar Airways are set to test the material on their Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 jets. The patches are easy to apply, like graphic decals, and can be placed on an aircraft's fuselage, wings, and tail. "This makes it an extremely practical ‘add-on’ approach, instead of requiring significant structural changes,” says Mahmoud Hussein of the University of Colorado Boulder.

With successful testing underway across different sectors, this shark skin-inspired technology promises a significant step toward more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly air travel.

By Naila Hsueynova