Daily Devotional – December 13

Design

Scientists have been studying the shark’s skin. When viewed under an electron microscope, the shark’s skin has tiny scales called denticles. The size and position of denticles allow water to flow by quickly, enabling the shark to swim fast. Scientists replicated these denticles on swimsuits. During the 2000 Sydney Olympics, athletes that wore Speedo’s Fastskin (shark suit) swimsuits were able to swim faster, breaking 13 of the 15 world records. Continued research created the LZR Racer (which was named the 2008 “best invention” by TIME Magazine). Michael Phelps wore this suit at the Beijing Olympics - winning eight record-breaking gold medals. Copying the design of shark’s skin for swimsuits at swim meets gives users such an advantage that these types of sharkskin swimsuits are now banned in competition!

Naval designers have also applied this sharkskin design to the bottoms of boats. They are finding that cargo ships use less fuel when they add these denticles to the hulls. Also, scientists noticed that on a shark’s skin, there is not much parasitic growth. Now researchers are testing the concept of applying this design to hospital surfaces in order to resist bacterial growth. All this technology is from studying the Great Designer’s design and copying it!

O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

~ Psalm 104:24

Source: "Pearls in Paradise" by authors Bruce Malone and Jule Von Vett