Researchers Create Turbine Blades That Can be Recycled into Gummy Bears

What happens when turbine blades reach the end of their lifespan? Well, these scientists have designed composite resin for blades that can be broken down and made into new products like chewy sweets (think gummy bears!)

Source: American Chemical Society Meeting Newsroom/Youtube

Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a composite resin for blades by combining glass fibers with a plant-derived polymer and a synthetic one. When the blades can no longer be used, the materials can be broken down and recycled into more turbine blades and even sweets.

Turbine blades are typically made from fiberglass. The material on top of the large blades can make recycling and disposal of the blades extremely difficult.

Source: Business Insider/Youtube

The new resin can be digested into an alkaline solution which will produce potassium lactate which can then be purified and made into sweets and even sports drinks, The Guardian reported.

“We recovered food-grade potassium lactate and used it to make gummy bear candies, which I ate,” said John Dorgan, one author of the paper.

The researchers plan to present their results before making some blades to test in the field. If successful, this could be a great way to recycle these wind turbines!

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