Our Technology
How It Works
At the core of Pterofin's technology is a simple counterbalance system that synchronizes the position and speed of an oscillating wing (or fin) with a mechanical leverage point on the device. As fluid — wind or water — moves past the wing, this system lets the wing's pitch angle track the natural frequency of that flow, converting the fluid's motion into mechanical energy without a continuously rotating rotor.
This approach was tested through the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University, via the Department of Energy-supported TEAMER program. That testing looked specifically at how the oscillating fin performs across a range of conditions, including:
Built to Handle Extreme Conditions
During normal operation, a Pterofin wing oscillates into the oncoming flow to generate power. When it encounters conditions beyond normal operating range — high winds, strong currents, debris, or an obstruction — the wing is designed to yield and sweep back in the direction the flow is moving, rather than continuing to resist it.
That response is intended to:
Key Advantages
The same underlying oscillating-wing approach scales from small, portable systems for remote or off-grid use up to larger installations. Whether deployed in shallow water, coastal currents, or onshore wind, the modular design is meant to adapt to the site rather than requiring the site to accommodate it.
Recognition
Pterofin and founder Wallace Kempkey have been featured in outlets including GeekWire and KOMO News, and the technology has been presented at venues including Bloom Seattle and TEDxSanJuanIsland — the latter, "Innovating with Nature," given by team member Jarrod Lyman. The technology has also drawn inquiries over the years from nonprofit organizations in Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and Kenya working on water and energy access in underserved communities.
What's Next
Near-term, we're focused on validating the Skimmer's performance — building on the Penn State ARL testing with ongoing computational work through the Department of Energy's National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR, formerly NREL) — and preparing prototypes, including the Skimmer and Dragonfly, for field data collection. Longer-term, we're interested in licensing and manufacturing partnerships that can bring this technology to the communities and markets that need it most.
See Our Products | Explore the Research
At the core of Pterofin's technology is a simple counterbalance system that synchronizes the position and speed of an oscillating wing (or fin) with a mechanical leverage point on the device. As fluid — wind or water — moves past the wing, this system lets the wing's pitch angle track the natural frequency of that flow, converting the fluid's motion into mechanical energy without a continuously rotating rotor.
This approach was tested through the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University, via the Department of Energy-supported TEAMER program. That testing looked specifically at how the oscillating fin performs across a range of conditions, including:
- Reduced frequency
- Flapping/pitching angle ratio
- Reynolds number
Built to Handle Extreme Conditions
During normal operation, a Pterofin wing oscillates into the oncoming flow to generate power. When it encounters conditions beyond normal operating range — high winds, strong currents, debris, or an obstruction — the wing is designed to yield and sweep back in the direction the flow is moving, rather than continuing to resist it.
That response is intended to:
- Reduce impact forces
- Let debris shed from the system
- Lower structural stress during unusually strong currents or winds
- Potentially reduce the severity of wildlife interactions
Key Advantages
- Works across a wide range of currents. The design is intended to remain effective in both slow-moving and high-speed flows, widening the range of sites where it can be deployed.
- Simple, low-maintenance mechanics. Fewer moving parts, positioned at the base of the wing, are intended to make installation and upkeep more straightforward than a conventional turbine.
- Designed with wildlife in mind. The slower, reciprocating motion is intended to reduce risk to birds and aquatic life compared to continuously rotating blades — a design goal we believe deserves independent testing rather than being assumed.
- Quiet operation. The motion produces little operating noise, which matters for installations near communities or sensitive habitats.
- Compact, unobtrusive footprint. The design is meant to blend into a landscape rather than dominate it, unlike large conventional turbines.
- Material flexibility. The technology isn't tied to one material or manufacturing process, which leaves room for cost-effective production at scale.
The same underlying oscillating-wing approach scales from small, portable systems for remote or off-grid use up to larger installations. Whether deployed in shallow water, coastal currents, or onshore wind, the modular design is meant to adapt to the site rather than requiring the site to accommodate it.
Recognition
Pterofin and founder Wallace Kempkey have been featured in outlets including GeekWire and KOMO News, and the technology has been presented at venues including Bloom Seattle and TEDxSanJuanIsland — the latter, "Innovating with Nature," given by team member Jarrod Lyman. The technology has also drawn inquiries over the years from nonprofit organizations in Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and Kenya working on water and energy access in underserved communities.
What's Next
Near-term, we're focused on validating the Skimmer's performance — building on the Penn State ARL testing with ongoing computational work through the Department of Energy's National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR, formerly NREL) — and preparing prototypes, including the Skimmer and Dragonfly, for field data collection. Longer-term, we're interested in licensing and manufacturing partnerships that can bring this technology to the communities and markets that need it most.
See Our Products | Explore the Research
