The simulated mutant fish slithers through the water, (3MB .MPG video). It may sound like some Hollywood special effect, but the idea behind this fish is in fact to squeeze more energy out of wave power.
Leena Patel and her colleagues at the University of Edinburgh in the UK are using a genetic algorithm computer program, which mimics the way natural selection breeds fitter creatures, to improve the way their virtual lamprey swims in different sea conditions. They want to use these swimming motions to boost the efficiency…
