Scientists design submarines after ancient sea reptile

A study of an ancient sea reptile's swimming technique could lead to more manoeuvrable and efficient flipper-driven submarines, scientists believe. Researchers used a robot in a water tank to investigate the unique four-flipper swimming technique of the extinct plesiosaur, a ferocious ocean predator. Their results raise the prospect of copying a design concept nature came up with more than 100 million years ago to power submersible vehicles. A study of plesiosaur propulsion could lead to more manoeuvrable and efficient flipper-driven submarines, scientists believe. Plesiosaurs used two near-identical pairs of flippers to propel themselves through the water.