KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The
Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing
Innovation, IACMI, a Manufacturing USA institute driven by
the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and the U.S. Department of
Energy, in partnership with Johns Manville, Arkema Inc., TPI
Composites Inc., National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL),
Colorado School of Mines (CSM), University of
Tennessee, Knoxville, Vanderbilt University and Purdue
University, announces a current project focused on thermoplastic
composite advancements for wind turbine blades. Developments in
thermoplastic materials help enable large-scale production at lower
costs, increase end-of-life recyclability and aid in job creation
for American workers.
Thermoset composites reinforced by fiber are the current
material of choice for large-scale wind turbine components;
however, challenges in manufacturing costs, performance, and
recyclability are limiting. IACMI will investigate new developments
in thermoplastic materials with industry partners to lower
production costs, improve recyclability of wind turbine blades and
expand applicability to components demonstrated at large scale. The
long term impact could reduce costs and improve reliability in
composite structures, which allow for process improvements on a
larger scale, increasing energy efficiency.
"Partnering with industry leaders to advance thermoplastic-based
composites will allow us to reach ambitious technical impact
goals," said Bryan Dods, IACMI-The Composites Institute CEO. "These
upcoming advancements will reduce life cycle energy use and
strengthen manufacturing innovations in wind turbine blade
production."
Project partners include: new industry partner Arkema, Inc., who
will expand the work plan to include their innovative Elium®
resin system—a novel thermoplastic liquid resin that makes it
possible to produce continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic parts
using typical closed mold thermoset processes, and the
Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) teams from Vanderbilt University and University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Simulation tools will be developed in conjunction with Purdue University and Convergent Manufacturing
Technologies. A newly commissioned facility at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM), the Vacuum Assisted
Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) lab, will fabricate proof of concept
panels in conjunction with Johns Manville and Arkema, while the
NREL National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) will manufacture
full-scale blade components in the new Composites Manufacturing
Education and Technology (CoMET) facility.
About IACMI-The Composites Institute: The
Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI),
managed by the Collaborative Composite Solutions Corporation (CCS),
is a partnership of industry, universities, national laboratories,
and federal, state and local governments working together to
benefit the nation's energy and economic security by sharing
existing resources and co-investing to accelerate development and
commercial deployment of advanced composites. CCS is a
not-for-profit organization established by The University of
Tennessee Research Foundation. The national institute is supported
by a $70 million commitment from the
U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Manufacturing Office, and over
$180 million committed from IACMI's
partners. Find out more at IACMI.org.
About Johns Manville
Johns Manville, a
Berkshire Hathaway company (NYSE: BRK.A, BRK.B), is a leading
manufacturer and marketer of premium-quality products for building
insulation, mechanical insulation, commercial roofing, and roof
insulation, as well as fibers and nonwovens for commercial,
industrial and residential applications. JM serves markets that
include aerospace, automotive and transportation, air handling,
appliance, HVAC, pipe and equipment, filtration, waterproofing,
building, flooring, interiors and wind energy. In business since
1858, the Denver-based company has
annual sales of nearly $3 billion and
holds leadership positions in many of the key markets that it
serves. JM employs approximately 7,000 people and operates 44
manufacturing facilities. Learn more at www.jm.com.
About Arkema
Arkema Inc. is a global
chemicals and materials manufacturing company that operates 34
facilities in 19 states, with a U.S. headquarters, and Research and
Development Center in King of Prussia, PA. Its parent
company, Arkema S.A., is headquartered in Colombes, France.
Arkema supplies products and develops materials for many key
markets, with a particular strategic emphasis on providing
solutions to address six emerging global trends: renewable raw
materials, water management, solutions for electronics, new
energies, building performance and insulation, and lightweight
materials and design. With operations in more than 50
countries, some 19,000 employees and 3 geographic R&D clusters,
Arkema generates an annual revenue of approximately $8.4B, and holds leadership positions in 90% of
its sales with a portfolio of internationally recognized
brands.
About TPI Composites, Inc.
TPI
Composites, Inc. is the largest U.S.-based independent manufacturer
of composite wind blades for the wind energy market. TPI also
provides structural composite products to the transportation
market. TPI delivers high-quality, cost effective composite
solutions through long term relationships with leading wind turbine
manufacturers. For more information about TPI, go to
tpicomposites.com.
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SOURCE IACMI-The Composites Institute