Jay Harman of PAX Scientific (http://www.paxscientific.com/) has been studying vortex flows in nature for over 20 years, as manifested both in physical systems and the development of organisms. His research shows that fluids do NOT move in straight lines in 'real life' systems, but rather in vortices. The motion of water flowing down a drain, the meandering of rivers and the growth patterns of nautilus shells all follow the same underlying principles.
Jay believes our attempts to constrain fluid motion to straight lines causes large amounts of friction and energy loss. His company is developing a range of practical implications (http://www.paxscientific.com/case_study.html) that are dramatically more efficient that current technologies, such as the 'lily impeller' (there is a picture at the lower left of http://www.paxscientific.com/company.html). This impeller can move fluids using less power, with no cavitation even at high rotation rates. PAX recently had an independent lab review the performance of one of their devices - efficiency 'on the bench' exceeded estimates based on software simulations. The surprising discovery was that performance improved even more when the fan was tested in the full systems environment. Jay is one of the 'leading lights' in the field of Biomimicry, which looks to nature as a source of sustainable and environmentally sound solutions.
PAX Scientific is aware of the Atmospheric Vortex Engine - I have not heard if they had any insights that might improve the stability of the vortex.
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Jay Harman of PAX Scientific (http://www.paxscientific.com/) has been studying vortex flows in nature for over 20 years, as manifested both in physical systems and the development of organisms. His research shows that fluids do NOT move in straight lines in 'real life' systems, but rather in vortices. The motion of water flowing down a drain, the meandering of rivers and the growth patterns of nautilus shells all follow the same underlying principles.
Jay believes our attempts to constrain fluid motion to straight lines causes large amounts of friction and energy loss. His company is developing a range of practical implications (http://www.paxscientific.com/case_study.html) that are dramatically more efficient that current technologies, such as the 'lily impeller' (there is a picture at the lower left of http://www.paxscientific.com/company.html). This impeller can move fluids using less power, with no cavitation even at high rotation rates. PAX recently had an independent lab review the performance of one of their devices - efficiency 'on the bench' exceeded estimates based on software simulations. The surprising discovery was that performance improved even more when the fan was tested in the full systems environment. Jay is one of the 'leading lights' in the field of Biomimicry, which looks to nature as a source of sustainable and environmentally sound solutions.
PAX Scientific is aware of the Atmospheric Vortex Engine - I have not heard if they had any insights that might improve the stability of the vortex.