Aero-structural Design and Optimisation of Tethered Composite Wings: Computational Methods for Initial Design of Airborne Wind Energy Systems

Airborne wind energy (AWE) is an emerging renewable energy technology that harnesses wind energy using tethered flying systems. The extra degrees of freedom allow these systems to harvest wind resources at altitudes currently unrealisable by conventional turbines. These flying devices, often resembling kites or drones, are typically divided into...

Thermal and structural performance of tow-placed, variable stiffness panels

The structural response of two variable stiffness composite panels under thermal and mechanical loads are characterized using experiments and analyses. These panels are advanced composite structures where the fiber angle varies continuously within each ply, and are manufactured using an advanced tow placement system. Both variable stiffness...