Advanced Materials Enable Renewable Wind Energy Capture and Generation | SpringerLink
Advanced materials play a crucial role in wind power to enable renewable wind energy capture and generation. Composite materials such as polymer-matrix reinforced with fiberglass or graphite fibers have been used to make rotor blades of wind turbines. In the turbines, compact electrical generators contain powerful magnets made from rare earth materials. The electrical generator is driven by the rotation of the turbine blades through a gearbox, which uses special alloys in order to accommodate a wide range of wind speeds. As turbine sizes continue to increase, and the growth of offshore installations, the durability of turbine materials faces more and more challenges due mainly to long-time exposure to higher stresses and hostile environments.....
