The Kingfisher bird has been investigated in biomimicry as a model for different designs, such as the inspiration from its beak to modify the front of the high-speed train in Japan to improve its aerodynamics. Now it has also been the object of study for the creation of Powercone ® wind turbines from the company Biome Renewables. The result is to obtain turbines with greater power, which is generated from a place that other designs have not been able to exploit. In general, these devices have a problem called root tapping, which does not allow the full potential to be used.
The company has used the strategy under which the Kingfisher's beak does not generate any ripples when entering the water, thus directing the wind from the root towards the longer areas, channeling it smoothly over its surface. Also, maple seeds have also helped on the design. Seeds usually fall to the ground through the air using the pattern of least resistance. The turbines also follow this principle, absorbing gusts and channeling the wind along moving blades, increasing torque, decreasing cut-in speeds and increasing one of the most important variables of the device, the turbine´s capacity factor. The Powercone is attached directly to the center and co-rotates with the rotor, helping to capture more of the wind that is already blowing.
English 
Spanish