(MUSIC) JOAN CARTAN-HANSEN, HOST: If you want to find new ways to limit the growth of germs and bacteria or make wind turbines more efficient, then biomimicry may be the answer.

Let's look at some things we've invented studying underwater animals.

While other ocean creatures have barnacles attached to their skin, sharks' skin stay clean.

Sharks have scales covered in tiny points called denticles.

Scientists think those points keep shark skin algae free.

So, they made molds of shark skin and then created products you can put on surfaces of things like checkout counters or airport kiosks.

The product is called Sharklet film, and it limits the growth of bacteria and germs.

Of all the whales, humpback whales have the longest flippers.

Their flippers are covered in large bumps.

These bumps help the whales move more efficiently through water.

That reminded engineers of how wind turbine blades move through air.

So, by adding bumps to the edges of the blades, the wind turbines produce more electricity.

For more information about biomimicry, check out the Science Trek website.

You'll find it at ScienceTrek.org.