1. The Shinkansen Bullet Train

2. The Issue Reaches speeds of 200 mph through Japan
Major problem with speed is aerodynamics
Noise pollution
Train created an atmospheric pressure wave through a narrow tunnel
Resulted in a sonic boom at the exit
Bullet shaped nose was the problem

3. Design Eiji Nakatsu found a solution while birdwatching
The Kingfisher can dive from air to water when hunting with virtually no sound
The birds beak is responsible for this

4. Design Cont.
The nose of the train was redesigned to mimic the kingfisher’s beak
Train became much quieter
Design also caused it to be 10% faster
Uses 15% less electricity

5. Owl Inspiration
Pantograph (electricity connection) was redesigned using owl’s feather vortices as a reference
Creating small vortices instead of one large one cut down on noise and air resistance