First an inspiration for more efficient wind power, the Tubercles on the fins of humpback whales may now inspire a new generation of helicopter rotor blades:
When looking for ways to delay the onset of stalling in helicopters, researchers at Göttingen struck gold with humpback whales – which is somewhat surprising at first glance. “These marine mammals are renowned for their great speed and acrobatic skills,” says Holger Mai from the DLR Institute of Aeroelasticity. This is due to their unusually large pectoral fins, which have characteristic bumps along the front edge. “Research has shown that these bumps cause stalling to occur significantly later underwater and increase buoyancy.” Continued at http://www.dlr.de.