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Three-Dimensional Woven
Carbon-Glass Hybrid Wind Turbine Blades--3TEX, Inc.,
Dr. Mansour Mohamed, Principal
Investigator,
Mr. Kennedy O'Herron, Business
Official,
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-02ER83354
Amount:
$666,375
Wind
energy is a fast growing business area with state-of-the-art turbine blades
approaching design limits based on glass reinforced composite materials. New
materials and blade design approaches that utilize the higher performance of
carbon fiber could enable lighter and larger blades that are more productive and
efficient, yet cost effective. This
project will develop thick three-dimensional woven fabrics, combined with new
spar and skin sandwich designs that will enable lighter and larger blades, in
order to improve the viability and competitiveness of wind-produced power.
Phase I designed a carbon-glass hybrid, three-dimensional woven fabric
along with a concept for a new blade design. A
parametric survey was conducted and a model was developed to evaluate materials
for weight and economic savings. The
results confirmed that the carbon-glass hybrid materials could provide
significant weight reduction and improved resin infusion processability.
Phase II will demonstrate the new concepts and novel materials by
conducting materials testing and then fabricating a prototype blade. The
prototype blade will be tested for static and fatigue performance at the DOE
National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits
as described by awardee: The
materials, data and design approaches should be directly applicable to the
design and manufacture of large wind turbine blades. The
technology should enable the use of larger blades, thus making wind energy more
competitive and widespread.