The seal whiskerers: Navy looks to sea life for new ships
NEWPORT, R.I. – The U.S. Navy is enlisting the help of seals — but not the kind of highly trained special operatives with whom it usually associates. Real seals, specifically their whiskers, may be the key to a new way for ships and underwater vehicles to sense their environment, scientists think. When a fish swims by, a hungry seal senses the wake with its whiskers. It can tell characteristics of the fish, such as shape and size, and track the location even when it’s murky or dark. Despite the adorable possibilities, scientists aren’t looking to outfit ships and vehicles...
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