Whirlpools created by currents as they flow over obstacles are powerful enough to tear apart bridges and offshore rigs. So why not use them as a source of renewable power?
Previous attempts to harness energy from the flow of the world’s rivers and oceans have had limited success, at best. Tidal flow can only be tapped at certain times of day, while underwater turbines are only viable if they are mounted in rapid currents.
Now researchers led by at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, are preparing for the first outdoor trials of a technology that makes…
