Project Info

Joining Methods for Fiber Reinforced Composites

Current wind turbine technologies are limited by the size of blade that can be transported – the energy efficiency of wind turbines goes up by a power of 2 relative to the length of the blades. Joining technologies that would allow companies to manufacture the full blades from smaller segments at the installation sites, without sacrificing performance and with minimal increases to cost would provide a major break-through in the wind energy industry. Similar joining technologies are also useful in manufacturing composite airframes, etc.

More Information

https://stebnerlab.mines.edu/publications/

Grand Challenges of Engineering: Not applicable

Student Preparation

Qualifications

Mechanics of materials, basic programming skills in either Matlab or Python

Time Commitment

Flexible

Skills/Techniques Gained

Mechanical testing, composites manufacturing, composite materials theory, mechatronics, programming, data analysis

Mentoring Plan

The student will be invited to weekly meetings with all researchers on this project (currently 2 PhD students, a post doc, 2 faculty, and 2 other undergraduates). The student will primarily work with a PhD student and Post Doc. I will be available as needed for 1-on-1 meetings