A researcher at Case Western Reserve University, United States, has built a prototype wind turbine blade that is substantially lighter and eight times tougher and more durable than the materials currently used for blades. The blades are comprised of polyurethane and carbon nanotubes. According to developer Marcio Loos, a post-doctoral researcher, “The idea behind all this is the need to develop stronger and lighter materials which will enable manufacturing of blades for larger rotors.” Wind turbines of the future will need a bigger share of the wind, but simply building bigger blades isn’t the answer. Lighter, stiffer blades enable the maximum energy and production. Ica Manas-Zloczower, professor of macromolecular science and engineering and associate dean in the Case School of Engineering, said, “Results of mechanical testing for the carbon nanotube reinforced polyurethane show that this material outperforms the currently used resins for wind blades applications.” The team will continue to test for the optimal conditions for the stable dispersion of carbon nanotubes, the best distribution within the polyurethane, and methods to make that happen, as they work to develop the next generation of wind turbine blades.

http://blog.case.edu/think/2011/08/30/researchers_build_a_tougher_lighter_wind_turbine_blade