Shark Skin and Swimsuits?

Shark Skin and Swimsuits

1   A shark’s skin is covered in tiny scales called denticles. Denticles, or “little skin teeth,” help the shark move quickly in the water. The denticles are shaped in a way that allows water to flow past the shark. They are also rough, which makes it difficult for algae and barnacles, a small sea animal, to grow on them. These growths can weigh down other sea animals, and cause problems over time.

2   Scientists have been inspired by shark skin. They have been working to invent a swimsuit made out of artificial shark skin, which means not real and made by people. Would you want a sharkskin swimsuit? It's likely that these suits will be too expensive to afford for a while. Unlike the modern swimsuits that swimmers now wear and are allowed in major swimming competitions, it is expected that these shark suits will be banned. Experts think the suits would reduce swimming time by 3 to 5 percent. This would give an unfair advantage, or gain, to anyone wearing one in a race.

3   Scientists also believe that an artificial shark skin material would be ideal for ships. Instead of allowing algae and barnacles to grow on ships, this material will prohibit such growths, and would allow the ship to move through water more quickly and efficiently. It would also stop any algae and barnacles from growing on the ship. As a result, the shark skin ship material would cut down on oil costs and on clean-up costs.