EV Magazine August 2023 | Page 71

There are many theories as to how hydrofoils work , but the key point to note is that the shape of the wing enables it to leverage the pressure patterns of the water to create lift . The curvature of the hydrofoil deflects water downwards while the stream above the blade also alters in pressure , which , when propelled , results in an amount of lift that can push an entire vessel above the water ’ s surface .

The general idea of the hydrofoil is that it reduces surface tension to decrease the amount of drag from the water , even when travelling over choppy waters — depending on the ergonomics of the hydrofoil . For well over a century , engineers have been experimenting with hydrofoils and have seen some successful use cases , including the HD-4 developed by Alexander Graham Bell ( who was also credited with the first patented telephone ) and ships that were eventually decommissioned by the US Navy — they were said to be ineffective in terms of cost .

From a sustainability perspective , hydrofoil systems create minimal impact in the water . Compromising on wing-like or stiltlike blades , beneath the craft , and smaller propellers , this type of system reduce the surface contact of a boat — less surface area , less resistance . Such a system is why the likes of Candela was able to reduce a 50-minute drive across a Swedish archipelago to a 25-minute boat ride through Scandinavian waters .

Leveraging these kinds of solutions could prove influential in the modern mobility landscape , particularly in coastal region or areas where it ’ s possible to travel ‘ as the crow flies ’.

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