University of Miami professor seeks funding for new form of wind propulsion

A researcher from the University of Miami College of Engineering is seeking funding to build a prototype of a new form of wind propulsion for ships. 

GeCheng Zha, a professor of aerospace engineering and director of the Aerodynamics and Computational Fluid Dynamics Lab, has developed nonrotating cylinders, developed with co-flow jet technology similar to what he employed for his ongoing research on new types of aircraft.

These giant cylinders would be mounted on the decks of ships, generating thrust by sucking in, pressurising, and ejecting air in a different direction with Zha claiming they can cut fuel consumption by as much as 50% on some routes. 

Wind propulsion as a centrepiece of shipping’s decarbonisation pathway continues to gain traction.

Kites, rotors, hard sails – shipowners seeking wind-assist technology have never had so many options as today with the last couple of years seeing record numbers of wind tech installations.