Wind Turbine Blades

I led the design and development of a small-scale wind turbine built for national competitions, focusing on creating blades that could deliver high power output across a wide range of operating conditions. My work involved selecting and shaping airfoils suited for low-Reynolds-number performance, tuning blade twist and taper for smooth aerodynamic loading, and building a hub structure that maintained stiffness during high-speed rotation. I coordinated testing in both simulated and physical environments, using airflow visualization and prototype break testing to iterate toward a stronger, more efficient design. The final turbine demonstrated competitive performance and reliability, contributing to top placements at both the state and national levels. 

• Designed and optimized wind-turbine blades for maximum power output across varying wind speeds using airfoil lift, drag, and moment coefficients, validated through CFD simulations and wind-tunnel testing.
  
  

• Conducted destructive stress testing to identify structural weak points not detected in simulations and refine blade geometry for improved durability.
  
  

• Analyzed turbulent flow regions within the wind-tunnel domain and adjusted blade chord and span to maintain optimal airflow and maximize efficiency.
  
  

• Placed 1st in California (twice) and 5th nationally.