Advancement of energy harvesting using smart materials and composites

This study explores advancements in energy harvesting using smart materials and composite structures, focusing on integrating shape memory alloys (SMAs) into wind turbine blades. The research investigates the structural and thermo-mechanical behavior of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites and SMA wires, emphasizing their potential in improving blade adaptability and stress recovery. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and experimental methods are utilized to evaluate deflection, load correlation, and actuation efficiency. Results demonstrate that suspended SMA wires enhance deflection recovery with lower energy loss compared to embedded configurations. A neural network model predicts deformation behavior based on load, current, and wire count. Additionally, SMA integration improves the power coefficient (Cp), bringing turbine efficiency closer to the Betz limit. Despite challenges such as nonuniform prestrain and material degradation at attachment points, this study confirms the feasibility of SMA-driven adaptive blades for wind energy applications. Future work includes optimizing SMA deployment in real-scale wind turbines through dynamic analysis and aerodynamic performance testing.