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A technology that uses forces fish and oil rigs deal with to generate electricity is to be tested in the Delaware River.
University of Michigan professor Michael Bernitsas developed a system which uses vortices created by water movement even in low current speeds.
The Vortex Induced Vibration for Aquatic Clean Energy harnesses the potentially destructive vibrations caused when water flows around submerged cylinders.
He originally observed this phenomenon while trying to help keep oil rigs and bridge supports upright.
The new system, which could open many more areas of ocean to renewable energy generation has been hailed as "a totally new method of extracting energy from water flow".
Prof Bernitsas said: "No one has ever thought of patenting this idea, even though vortex induced vibrations were first observed in 1504 by Leonardo da Vinci."
According to analyst Frost & Sullivan, the UK has 50 per cent of Europe's wave power generation potential.
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