Today I came across a very interesting article suggesting a new way of generating hydro-electricity. The article caught my eye because "vivace" is Italian for quick, yet the article suggested that the water speed need not be quick. But let's back up for a bit. What’s the scoop here? The November 2008 edition of The Journal of Offshore Mechanical Arctic Engineering – I didn’t even know such a thing exists – showed that it is possible to generate electricity from vortex-induced vibrations (VIV). They devised a proof of concept machine which they called VIVACE which is short for V ortex- I nduced V ibration A quatic C lean E nergy – quite catchy if you ask me. In short, this contraption can make electricity out of natural movements of the water. Ehhh but what is a VIV again? Those were the same questions I had when I read about the title because I am a Biologist and not an Engineer. To answer the first question, when air, or liquid passes by a cylindric...