How a Bird Revolutionized Japan’s Bullet Train Design
1 day ago · Nakatsu and his team of engineers drew inspiration from three different birds: The owl’s silent flight feathers influenced the pantograph (the connection to overhead electric wires) The Adelie penguin’s streamlined body shaped the supporting shaft design; The kingfisher’s splash-free diving beak inspired the train’s nose cone
Shinkansen: The bullet train inspired by Kingfishers
Jan 7, 2022 · In the late ’90s, Japanese engineers modeled the Shinkansen bullet train after Kingfisher birds to solve one of their biggest problems… tunnel sonic booms. Tokaido Shinkansen is one of the world’s…
How the Kingfisher’s Beak Helped Design the Bullet Train
What does a bird's beak have to do with a high-speed train? More than you think! In this video, we’ll explore how the sleek and efficient design of the kingf...
Birds, bullet trains and biomimicry - theGIST
Jan 22, 2020 · The sound was due to trapped air on the nose of the train that would create pressure waves when leaving the tunnel, emitting a loud boom 5. The solution to this problem came from an unlikely place: The Kingfisher. These birds have a streamlined bill that allow them to easily dive into water and catch fish.
The Shinkansen and the Kingfisher: A Tale of Biomimicry in High-Speed ...
This iconic train is a prime example of biomimicry, where engineers turn to nature to solve complex human challenges. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Shinkansen’s design is how it was inspired by the kingfisher, a bird known for its high-speed diving and ability to enter water with minimal splash.
Biomimicry Part 2 – The Japanese Bullet Train
Jan 11, 2018 · Due to the extreme speed of the trains, they create a lot of noise pollution, disturbing residents hundreds of metres away. The two most significant sources of noise were the train’s connections to overhead wires (pantographs) and the trains emerging from tunnels.
Biomimicry: turning birds into bullet trains - kottke.org
Nov 9, 2017 · For example, an engineer working on a redesign of the Japanese bullet train used his birdwatching knowledge to borrow design elements from birds like a kingfisher, an owl, and a penguin. Japan’s Shinkansen doesn’t look like your typical train. With its long and pointed nose, it can reach top speeds up to 150-200 miles per hour.
How kingfisher inspired bullet trains? - Interesting Engineering
Bullet trains in Japan used to make a loud boom sound when they traveled through tunnels. A bird-watching engineer was able to fix the problem after he was inspired by a kingfisher. The...
Bullet train and the kingfisher; the penguin and the owl - Suki Desu
Discover the fascinating connection between the bullet train and the martim fisherman, and how the penguin and the owl inspire innovations. Dive into stories of engineering and nature here!
How a Kingfisher Inspires One Engineer to Make Japan's Bullet Train ...
6 days ago · Kingfisher birds to solve one of the biggest problems of the Japanese bullet train The kingfisher’s beak created less pressure. The Shinkansen bullet train travels along high-speed railways throughout Japan at speeds of 240–320 km/hr. (150–200 mph), carrying millions of passengers every year.