Troy (NY) - Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) have finally put to rest the 1936 claim by British zoologist Sir James Gray. Gray studied dolphins and concluded that their muscle strength was insufficient to propel them at the 20mph speeds they were seen swimming in the ocean. Gray believed some unique surface interaction was taking place which reduced drag. However, RPI scientists have now modeled the dolphin and claim their muscles really are that strong.


The research team was led by Timothy Wei, professor and acting dean of Rensselaer's School of Engineering. Wei presented his findings at the 61st Annual Meeting of the Physical Society (APS) division of Fluid Dynamics in San Antonio, Texas.

Wei collaborated on the project with Frank Fish, a biologist at West Chester University in Pennsylvania; Terrie Williams, a marine biologist at the University of California, Santa Cruz; Rensselaer undergraduate student Yae Eun Moon; and Rensselaer graduate student Erica Sherman.


No special drag

Using a new state-of-the-art water flow diagnostic algorithm, and modifying and combining force measurement tools developed for aerospace research (which use a 1000fps camera to study digital particle image velocimetry), Wei applied the algorithms to determine where the muscle thrust was being delivered. He videotaped dolphins swimming with tiny air bubbles in the tank. The computer tracked the bubble movement and Wei applied them to the fluid algorithms for measurement.

The result was a model showing that the muscles do produce that much force, as much as 300 to 400 pounds of force. Compare that to an Olympic swimmer that produces a maximum of 60 to 70 pounds of force. In addition, Wei measured dolphins doing their famous "walk on their tail" trick in water. He concluded that during that impressive display the dolphins are producing on average 200 lbs of force.

Read more at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and watch a video showing computer tracking of the dolphin's motion through the bubbly water.

Thank God!!!

Nov 25, 2008 12:21     

This has been bothering me for 72 years! Now that we have that one out of the way, let's figure out how we can cut federal funding for projects such as this. Unless, of course, we can get some mutant dolphin DNA and inject directly into our own muscles... But let's face it, if that was an option... wouldn't zee Germans have done that by now?
Electrical Engineer - Henrik report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +6

really???

Nov 25, 2008 14:16     

If dolphins are so smart then why do they live in igloos?
Stew Pidd report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -7

so.... what now?

Nov 26, 2008 03:35     

unless there's a real point to this... people just have too much time on their hands.
nev report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

I know!!

Nov 26, 2008 10:24     

Let's have them push our oil carriers! 100% green propulsion!
salgado18 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1