Archive for November, 2008
This past week in Palm Springs, CA the Fall Symposium for the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) took place. With the troubling times in financial markets, and conventional energy costs low, the renewable energy sector is due for some slowing. Regardless of the current issues, the long term future of renewable energy, and wind in particular is still extremely bright.
At the conference, a major theme was the need to continue the push of technology advancements in wind turbine systems. The use of lightweight composite sandwich structures in wind blades is already prevalent, however, advancements are still needed. It is crucial that wind blades of the future use less material, become lighter, and the manufacturing becomes more reliable and automated.
Sandwich structures and their lightweight benefits will help lead this charge. New cost effective core materials are required; these need to be lightweight and exhibit high sheer properties, but cost will be the underlying issue. E-glass is the current predominant fiber reinforcement, however hybrid fabrics using limited amounts of carbon fiber could help lower weights without adding too much additional costs.
New resin systems and production techniques will help streamline manufacturing and lower defects and voids.
Wind blade manufacturers need to turn to composite experts and begin the adaptation of advanced composites, fiber, and sandwich techniques into wind blade manufacturing.
More info:
JSC Izodom, a construction materials manufacturer in Russia has announced plans to invest $5.7 mm into a new plant to build polystyrene insulation panels…
The facility, expected to be ready in 2009, will have a capacity of 100,000 sq meters.
Prefabricated homes is not a new concept. However, with the rising need for shelters for millions of African families, pre-fab homes seems to be the ideal choice in meeting this demand in a cost effective method.
Below is a link to a recent article on various pre-fab construction techniques considered in Kenya, including the use of a sandwich structure having an insulated foam core with FRP skins.
Stork Fokker and Airborne Composites have signed a 7 year contract for the design and manufacturing of composite sandwich panels for the Gulfstream G650 aircraft. Airborne Composites is planning on using carbon fiber epoxy skins with a honeycomb core.
More Info: