Please see the June 2003 issue of Popular Mechanics [tm] "TechWatch" [c] section, on page 24 for a feature about us.  Also in the September 2003 issue of Look science magazine [KIJK, p. 11] from the Netherlands.  Thank you for your interest. RIBBON DRIVE SCIENCE -- Low Head Hydro Power Generation Water entry at right contacts gradual coil first. [george retseck illustration] HYDROELECTRIC POWER -- DESIGN and FUNCTION  DETAILS 1.   can be used in low-head hydro applications, does not require high-velocity entry. 2.   functions well with limited volume or low-flow situations. 3.   exponential pitch design of the continuous vane with changing coils. 4.   the increasing angle of Ribbon Drive captures the sequentially decreasing axial components of linear velocity, ultimately capturing most of the original axial kinetic energy and converting it into rotational torque to generate electricity.  large supplies of water are not required, due to its highly-efficient design which optimizes energy extraction.  Favorable environmental impact.  decreased water-holding capacity in the space of each subsequent coil, increases the internal pressure of water as it proceeds toward steeply-angled final coil. the increasing internal pressure diminishes potential cavitation and surface erosion --Diminu-Cav [R].  root bending stress of the coiled vane is constantly changing and is distributed; the vane is mostly self-supporting and can be relatively thin.   simplicity of design and maintenance help decrease costs. staged startup, and continues to function in variable flow conditions. self-orienting in the water current of rivers, tides, ocean. scalable: smaller units may be portable, tethered to a ship, or useful as a power source for remote-monitoring locations.  For a visual demonstration by 3-D plus audio, please CLICK HERE. clean, renewable, hydroelectric Power Generation--do you have a Ribbon Drive Apparatus nearby? Become self-sustaining in electricity.  Sell power to the utililty company when your own electrical needs are low.  Supplement the electrical power source for your community or farm.  Charge your sailboat or ship's battery while at anchor [or underway].  Power remote monitoring equipment near a stream or a tidewater. Emergencies? For homes, farms, business, industry, boats, camp. SOME  DESIGN  and  FUNCTION  DETAILS exponential pitch design of the continuous vane with changing coils. curved vane helps prevent sound transmission within the cylinder. acoustic advantage of diminished potential for cavitation--Diminu-Cav [R]--and no gas/diesel engine noise  self-starting in most conditions with flowing water root bending stress of the coiled vane is constantly changing and is distributed; the vane is mostly self-supporting and can be relatively thin.   innovative hull design opportunities, for boats/ships with the Ribbon Drive turbine built into the hull for auxiliary power generation. The patented designs [reg. USPTO ] with one moving part, tested by research, produce power without the complexity of traditional turbines or other low-head-hydro technology.  There is opportunity for moving spawning fish up a new "fish-ladder" to bypass falls or dams.  Want to help and protect the fish population ?  Contact us at 877-790-7972, fluidmotive.inc@att.net, or see www.fluidmotive.com .  The original Lucite [tm] model permitted observation of internal function.