Video: "This Genius Propeller Will Change Transport Forever"
Sharrow and MIT have both been working on toroidal propellers which have shown incredible results. In this video we look at a new design of propellers known as toroidal propellers. These have been shown to increase efficiency, thrust, and reduce the noise of both boats and drones. There could be many applications for this, such as cargo ships, electric flying taxis, and even computer fans.
I am amazed (and delighted) that in the 21st century, it is still possible for innovators to create a radically new propeller design that is significantly quieter and more efficient than standard propellers. (Via J.Z.)
Update: Friends have told me that this new design still requires making some tradeoffs. But it does seem to decrease noise significantly, which can be very useful in certain applications.
