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Boat Moves Without an Engine Or Sails

Posted by samzenpus on from the watching-too-much-seaquest dept.

coondoggie writes "Researchers say technology they have developed would let boats or small aquatic robots glide through the water without the need for an engine, sails or paddles. A University of Pittsburgh research team has designed a propulsion system that uses the natural surface tension that is present on the water's surface and an electric pulse to move the boat or robot, researchers said. The Pitt system has no moving parts and the low-energy electrode that emits the pulse could be powered by batteries, radio waves, or solar power, researchers said in a statement."

10 of 234 comments (clear)

  1. Is it the Red October? by east+coast · · Score: 4, Funny

    *eom*

    --
    Dedicated Cthulhu Cultist since 4523 BC.
    1. Re:Is it the Red October? by MooUK · · Score: 5, Funny

      It's even lower energy!

  2. Glittering diamond of hope *cough cough* by Oricalchos · · Score: 4, Funny

    Mother Nature called, she wants her gliding through the water patent back. Otherwise, it's neat. Innovation, even if it's copied from the nature, is welcome, especially in the years we have ahead of us. Just don't let it be another hoax.

  3. Boat moves without engine, paddles or sails by MichaelTheDrummer · · Score: 5, Funny

    commonly known as 'drifting'

  4. Yes but.. by Reed+Solomon · · Score: 5, Funny

    How effective is it at killing Manatees, hobo's of the sea?

    I refuse to use any sort of boat that doesn't maim or injure an endangered species. That's just the kind of forward thinking person I am.

  5. Re:Oblig by jd · · Score: 5, Funny

    In this case, it should be "does it run in Linux". (The answer is no. The surface tension is too low. The kernel mailing list tension, on the other hand, would be perfect.)

    --
    It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
  6. "Boat Moves Without an Engine Or Sails" by overcaffein8d · · Score: 5, Funny

    Boat Moves Without an Engine Or Sails

    the vikings fixed this problem long ago.

    --
    Those of us who think they know everything annoy those of us who do.
  7. Re:Practical use? by plasmacutter · · Score: 4, Funny

    What are the advantages of this over using an engine or sail? Would it be friendlier to the environment, faster, or efficient?

    Whatever the practical application, this is cool!

    It's a brilliant way to ship your toothpicks overseas one at a time.

    --
    VLC FOR MAC IS DYING! IF YOU DEVELOP, PLEASE SAVE IT!!
  8. Re:for real by sapphire+wyvern · · Score: 4, Funny

    I think that's called the BoatTorrent protocol.

  9. Re:Better Article by YourExperiment · · Score: 5, Funny

    Raising the rear end of a RORO ship or passenger cruiser a millimetre or two isn't going to have much of an effect, methinks.

    RORORO your ship,
    Gently down a slope,
    Surface tension's far too weak,
    The whole idea is broke.