Using aeroelastic flutter, the same effect that resulted in the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (aka Galloping Gertie), Shawn Frayne has created a wind harvest device that is small, cheap to produce, and simple. The 2:05 video below has details of the breakthrough.
Tip of the Hat: Popular Mechanics Tweet
That is really cool. This could be implemented on existing building or homes as well, have similar devices running along roof line, or up the sides of building (or maybe even between buildings) to harvest wind power.
Yeah, it’s one of those “why didn’t I think of that” kind of inventions. Simple, straightforward, and effective. I do think there is potential at the macro level, but there will undoubtably be some engineering challenges at that scale…surely they’ll be solved.