Study of the Performance of Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites for Wind Turbine Blade Applications

Availability of some form of energy is essential for human survival and social development. However, the way energy has been generated within the last century has brought forward the quest for generation of energy without polluting the environment, which is nowadays considered to be the biggest global challenge. The materials used for wind turbine blades can be classified under this challenge of polluting the environment. One of the materials expected to reduce this problem is natural fiber reinforced composite (FRC). Thus, the focus of this paper is to evaluate the potential of different natural FRC materials for small wind turbine blade application. Eleven different natural fibers reinforced composite in epoxy resin are studied. The modified Halphin-Tsai semi-empirical model has been used to compute the physical properties of the composites, since it has a good agreement with experimental results. Stress, deformation, and weight of wind turbine blade under different loadings are analyzed aimed to search for a fiber type that may extend the life span of the blade. Finally, flap wise, edge wise, longitudinal and torsional natural frequencies are computed numerically by using finite element method in Qblade software (QFEM) under different mode types and the effects are analysed. Upon comparing the results with a common composite material for wind turbine blade (E-glass/epoxy), it has been observed that the selected natural fiber composites have equivalent and better mechanical performance. The environmental friendliness of natural fibers, i.e. biodegradability, comes as a plus to their advantage as materials of wind turbine blades.publishedVersio

Application of Artificial Intelligence for Surface Roughness Prediction of Additively Manufactured Components

Additive manufacturing has gained significant popularity from a manufacturing perspective due to its potential for improving production efficiency. However, ensuring consistent product quality within predetermined equipment, cost, and time constraints remains a persistent challenge. Surface roughness, a crucial quality parameter, presents difficulties in meeting the required standards, posing significant challenges in industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical devices, energy, optics, and electronics manufacturing, where surface quality directly impacts performance and functionality. As a result, researchers have given great attention to improving the quality of manufactured parts, particularly by predicting surface roughness using different parameters related to the manufactured parts. Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the methods used by researchers to predict the surface quality of additively fabricated parts. Numerous research studies have developed models utilizing AI methods, including recent deep learning and machine learning approaches, which are effective in cost reduction and saving time, and are emerging as a promising technique. This paper presents the recent advancements in machine learning and AI deep learning techniques employed by researchers. Additionally, the paper discusses the limitations, challenges, and future directions for applying AI in surface roughness prediction for additively manufactured components. Through this review paper, it becomes evident that integrating AI methodologies holds great potential to improve the productivity and competitiveness of the additive manufacturing process. This integration minimizes the need for re-processing machined components and ensures compliance with technical specifications. By leveraging AI, the industry can enhance efficiency and overcome the challenges associated with achieving consistent product quality in additive manufacturing.publishedVersio

Multi objective parametric optimization and composite material performance study for master leaf spring

Design optimization of product with the objective of reducing weight is one of current focuses in a product design. In the vehicle industry, in particular, weight reduction has significant impact on vehicle efficiency improvement and the fuel economy. These improvements can have direct impact on operating costs of the vehicle. The methods used to weight reduction are by optimizing the product´s parameters and by replacing conventional materials with highly sustainable materials strengths. In this paper, design model of existing master leaf spring has been created and optimized using SolidWorks parametric optimization with a goal of reducing the weight of leaf spring, improving the life span of structure by reducing stress and increasing the natural frequency of the leaf spring. The constraint used was limiting stress and natural frequency with the leaf spring’s thickness and width as optimization variables. Optimum values of these parameters of the leaf spring were obtained. Again, using parametrically optimized leaf spring model static and modal analysis was studied under two different composite materials, Epoxy Carbon UD Prepreg and Epoxy E-Glass UD, aiming to get minimum weight and improved life span compared to steel material (55SiMn90). The result shows that the leaf spring of composite materials performed better in terms of the stress level, stiffness and the natural frequency. At the same time, the weight of the composite leaf spring has significantly reduced. In summary, the study concluded that composite leaf spring is better efficient compared with conventional leaf spring from steel.publishedVersio

Investigation of mechanical properties of false banana/glass fiber reinforced hybrid composite materials

The objective of the work presented in this article is to investigate the mechanical properties of false banana/glass fiber reinforced hybrid composite materials at different fiber volume fractions and orientation of hybrid (false banana and glass) fibers. False banana/glass fiber reinforced hybrid composites were designed considering effects of fiber orientation, volume fraction and then manufactured according to ASTM standards using hand-layup technique. The developed composites were then tested for their tensile, bending and compression properties. The standard test methods recommended by ASTM-D 3039 for tensile properties, ASTM-D790M for flexural properties, and ASTM-D3410M for compression properties were used to test the hybrid composites. Effect of volume fraction and fiber orientation on composite materials properties was analyzed. The results show that both volume fraction and fiber orientation significantly affect the mechanical properties of the hybrid composite of false banana/glass fiber.publishedVersio

Study of the Performance of Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites for Wind Turbine Blade Applications

The availability of some form of energy is essential for the human survival and social development. However, the way energy has been generated within the last century has brought forward the quest for the generation of energy without polluting the environment, which is nowadays considered to be the greatest global challenge. The materials used for wind turbine blades can be classified under this challenge of polluting the environment. One of the materials expected to reduce this problem is natural fiber reinforced composite (FRC). Thus, the focus of this paper was to evaluate the potential of different natural FRC materials for small wind turbine blade application. Eleven different natural fibers reinforced composite in epoxy resin were studied. A modified Halphin-Tsai semi-empirical model was used to compute the physical properties of the composites, since it has a good agreement with the experimental results. Stress, deformation, and weight of wind turbine blade under different loadings were analyzed aimed to search for a fiber type that may extend the life span of the blade. Finally, flap wise and edge wise, the longitudinal and torsional natural frequencies were computed numerically by using the finite element method in the Qblade software (QFEM) under different mode types and the effects were analysed. Upon comparing the results with a common composite material for wind turbine blade (E-glass/epoxy), it was observed that the selected natural fiber composites have equivalent and better mechanical performance. The environmental friendliness of natural fibers, i.e. biodegradability, constitutes their advantage as materials of wind turbine blades

Application of Composite Materials for Energy Generation Devices

Globally, electricity demand rises by 1.8% per year; according to the American Energy Information Administration, global energy demand will increase by 47% over the next 30 years, driven by demographic and economic growth. Global demand for electricity is growing faster than renewable energy sources. Electricity production from renewable sources (i.e., biomass energy, geothermal energy, hydro energy, solar energy, tidal energy, wind energy) is on its way to strong growth around the world over the next dozen years. With the increasing demand for energy, new technologies and materials are being developed to replace exhaustible traditional construction materials. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the research into the application of composite materials in mainstream power generation. The main energy generation technologies, i.e., photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, fuel cells, and biogas generators, were analysed and discussed. The review presented in this article also covers the latest achievements and prospects for the use of composite materials in energy generation devices