Gamal Khattab
Did you know that engineers often look to birds for inspiration when designing new technology? One great example of this is the Japanese train called the Shinkansen, also known as the bullet train. Before it became the sleek and fast train we know today, it had a big problem. When it reached speeds of 200 miles per hour and entered a tunnel, it created a super loud noise called a Sonic Boom. This noise could be heard by people who lived 15 miles away from the tunnel!
The Solution
Engineers wanted to fix this noise problem, so they started looking at how birds are able to fly so smoothly and quietly. One engineer noticed something amazing while watching a Kingfisher bird dive into the water to catch fish. Even though the bird was moving from air to water, which are very different in density, it didn't cause any disturbance on the water's surface. How was this possible?
The Kingfisher's Secret
The engineer realized that the shape of the Kingfisher's beak was the key. The beak allowed the bird to move through the water without creating any big waves or splashes. It had a special design that helped it overcome the difference in density between air and water. This design allowed for a smooth flow, just like how the bullet train needed to move smoothly through the tunnel.
Applying the Bird's Design
The engineers took inspiration from the Kingfisher's beak and applied it to the front of the bullet train. They made the front of the train smoother and more aerodynamic, just like the beak. And guess what? It worked! The noise from the train decreased a lot, and its speed even increased by 10%. Plus, it used 15% less electricity!
A Sign of Intelligent Design
This incredible engineering feat shows us something important. The theory of evolution can't fully explain the amazing abilities of birds and their complex biological systems. Birds are so smart and well-designed that humans try to copy their designs to improve our own technology. This is evidence that birds and other organisms were created by a powerful and wise God, who knew exactly what they needed to survive and thrive.
