Virginia scientists 3D print wind turbine with recyclable polymer [Video]

Researchers at Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering have turned to 3D printing with recyclable material to give wind turbine blades a much-needed sustainable boost.

The effort required the collaboration of multidisciplinary teams consisting of researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and TPI Composites, an Arizona-headquartered company that has been building composite blades for over two decades. 

Researchers have created “novel 3D printing methods and new recyclable materials to improve the environmental footprint of wind turbine blade production,” read a university press release from last week.

According to the US Geological Survey, an average wind turbine working for just 46 minutes can generate sufficient energy to power an American household for an entire month.

The technology has already surpassed hydroelectric power stations as …