Teams must register to compete by: November 30, 2010
After registration is received, each team will:
- Receive a kit of free materials to create the three blades.
- Be teamed up with a Maine Composite business or Composite Educational facility.
- Research and design their own blades.
- Finish their product after the blades have been infused with resin.
- Follow the rules and regulations provided.
Competition Testing will be located at the University of Maine AEWC Advanced Structures and Composite Center at the Orono campus on May 14th, 2010.
Each team will be provided an identical kit of materials:
- 3 - 18" x 3" x 6" Polyisocyanurate Foam blocks
- Glass Cloth
- Polyester Resin (available through the composite industry partner)
First, research wind blade design and performance. Next, shape the provided foam blocks per the design the team deems best. After completion of the shaping of the blades, school teams will travel to their partner composite lab. There they will work in conjunction with the lab instructors and technicians to wrap their shaped foam blades with the provided fiber glass cloth and infuse them with resin. The result will be a blade with a hard smooth shell. Teams must then finish the blades.
Teams also must design a central hub to mount the individual blades to. The hub specifications must be per the competition rules. The Advanced Engineered Wood and Composite Center (AEWC) at the University of Maine will create a universal testing hub to mount all blade turbines on and will host the blade testing competition. The University will measure the power output of each blade turbine design at a set wind speed. Awards will go to the top three teams which have the greatest power.
Maine Composites Alliance,
AEWC Advanced Structures and Composite Center,
and Maine North Star Alliance Initiative
Invite Maine High School Students to create the most efficient wind blade.
Contact: wbc@mainecompositesalliance.org