Larger wind turbine blades produce more energy than do smaller blades. However, larger blades are typically heavier, which means more wind is required to turn them. They are also less rigid and lose potential energy when they bend. Determined to capture the benefits of longer blades without the drawbacks, Marcio Loos, a researcher in the mac-romolecular science and engineering department at Case Western Reserve University, is leading a team that has developed a polyurethane blade reinforced with carbon nano-tubes. The first of its kind, the blade is only 29 in. long, but preliminary tests have shown that it is lighter, stiffer, and stronger than conventional blades. Now the researchers are working with Molded Fiber Glass Companies, an international composites company headquartered in Ashtabu-la, Ohio, to create longer blades. The company is combining the new material with layers of glass fiber.
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机译：较大的风力涡轮机叶片比较小的叶片产生更多的能量。但是，较大的叶片通常较重，这意味着需要更大的风才能转动它们。它们的刚度也较小，弯曲时会损失势能。凯斯西储大学（Case Western Reserve University）宏观科学与工程系的研究员Marcio Loos决心抓住长叶片的优点而没有缺点，他领导着一个团队，该团队开发了一种用碳纳米管增强的聚氨酯叶片。这是第一个此类刀片，只有29英寸长，但是初步测试表明，它比常规刀片更轻，更硬且更坚固。现在，研究人员正在与模压玻璃纤维公司合作，后者是一家总部位于俄亥俄州阿什塔布拉的国际复合材料公司，旨在制造更长的刀片。该公司正在将新材料与玻璃纤维层结合在一起。
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