Self-sustaining plastic can create more environmentally friendly wind turbines

Although wind turbines seem like a model of "green" energy, scientists from Vanderbilt University are working to make them greener. More specifically, they are looking for a plastic that can save energy when the turbine blade is being created, and that can make these blades more recyclable.

Currently, plastics are used in the production of glass-fiber turbines that must be heated and require energy from "green" sources to produce. In addition, when the blades are worn out, very few materials from them can be recycled.

Self-sustaining plastic can create more environmentally friendly wind turbines Picture 1

So, a Vanderbilt team led by Professor Doug Adams is testing a new thermoplastic called Elium. Produced by industrial partner Arkema, it creates its own temperature through a chemical reaction, overcoming weaknesses in fiberglass material and making the whole material easy to reuse. use.

Researchers are now planning to expand the production process of this material, and then replace the larger turbine blades from new materials.

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