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This video shows Japanese sailor Kenichi Horie setting off in a wave-powered boat that uses two spring-loaded fins to drive it forward using the sea's rocking motion. But powering boats like that is surely not this technology's best use.

Wind power is currently seeing a revival on large tankers to boost fuel efficiency. Perhaps Horie's power fins could make a similar contribution when combined with conventional power sources.

Phil McKenna, New Scientist correspondant