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This topic opens with an example of outstanding performance by a mathematics student, under guidance of an inspiring professor.
The topic is available for NewMars members to provide links, images and text about similar achievement in the specific narrow topic of movement of air by physical devices.
The topic includes all fluids such as water where advances in design of mechanical devices have improved efficiency.
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#3 Report on research to improve performance of wind turbines
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https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/pen … 26832.html
Dallas Express Media
Penn State Student Cracks 100-Year-Old Equation, Boosting Wind Turbine Efficiency
Dallas Express
Sun, July 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM EDT
3 min read
Penn State Student Cracks 100-Year-Old Equation, Boosting Wind Turbine Efficiency
Divya Tyagi Shows Her Math Work to Sven Schmitz Image by Penn State via websiteA Penn State engineering student has cracked a 100-year-old aerodynamic puzzle, offering a refined approach that could transform wind turbine design.
Divya Tyagi, an undergraduate at the Schreyer Honors College, developed a solution that addresses gaps in a 1935 model by British aerodynamicist Hermann Glauert, providing engineers with a more robust tool for renewable energy innovation.
Glauert’s original work established a theoretical limit for wind turbine power output but overlooked key forces, such as wind pressure and blade bending, that turbines encounter daily. Tyagi’s research, rooted in calculus of variations, fills these gaps by calculating precise values for thrust and bending moment across various tip speed ratios — critical for modern turbine performance.
“I created an addendum to Glauert’s problem, which determines the optimal aerodynamic performance of a wind turbine by solving for the ideal flow conditions,” Tyagi said, per a Penn State news release.
Her thesis, published in Wind Energy Science, earned her the Anthony E. Wolk Award for the best aerospace engineering project at Penn State.
Professor Sven Schmitz, her adviser and co-author, highlighted the breakthrough’s scope.
“Glauert’s original work focused only on the power coefficient. But turbines also have to survive physical loads, like wind pressure pushing against the blades,” he said, per The Brighter Side. “Tyagi’s method accounts for these forces and gives us a clearer picture of total aerodynamic performance.”
The simplicity of Tyagi’s approach, using calculus of variations to optimize complex interactions, could benefit both classrooms and industry.
“The real impact will be on the next generation of wind turbines using the new knowledge that has been unveiled,” Schmitz added, according to Penn State. “As for Divya’s elegant solution, I think it will find its way into classrooms across the country and around the world.”
Tyagi noted the practical payoff: “Improving the power coefficient of a large wind turbine by just 1% has significant impacts on the energy production of a turbine. … A 1% improvement in power coefficient could notably increase a turbine’s energy output, potentially powering an entire neighborhood.”
Her work also enhances turbine durability, potentially reducing costs with lighter, longer-lasting designs.
Now pursuing a master’s degree, Tyagi is tackling airflow around helicopter rotors for the U.S. Navy, using computational fluid dynamics to improve flight safety.
Reflecting on her undergraduate effort, she said, “I would spend about 10 to 15 hours a week between the problem, writing the thesis, and on research. It took a long time because it was so math-intensive. But I feel really proud now, seeing all the work I’ve done.”
Schmitz, who had challenged four students with the problem over decades, credited Tyagi’s persistence.
“There had to be an easier way to do it. That’s when Divya came in. She was the fourth student I challenged with looking at it, and she was the only one who took it on. Her work is truly impressive.”
Her contribution could reshape wind energy as the industry seeks more efficient and resilient turbines.
This report appeared in the "Dallas Express"
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The article at the link below is about two things that may be of interest to NewMars readers...
South Korea is (apparently) investing heavily in domestic production of wind turbine blades, and ...
Applying AI (somehow) to improve the design process to consider aerodynamics and structure simultaneously.
The Cool Down
Researchers develop enormous wind turbine blade that could capture astounding amount of energy — here's what's happening
Alana Bracken
Tue, August 5, 2025 at 6:45 AM EDTResearchers develop enormous wind turbine blade that could capture astounding amount of energy — here's what's happening
Researchers in Korea have developed a new design platform — and a staggering 12-megawatt-class blade to match — in an effort to put wind beneath the sails of its domestic production of wind power.
The Wind Energy Research Department at the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) set out to increase localization rates for wind turbine components, which stood at around 34%, according to WindTech International. The priority was particularly for larger capacity wind turbines, as Korea still heavily relies on imports to make them.
What resulted was BladeFORGE, a design platform that utilizes both advanced optimization algorithms and artificial intelligence techniques to face the complex technical challenges of building 10-megawatt-plus capacity wind turbines.
AdvertisementThe integrated aerostructural design system aims to increase design efficiency by addressing aerodynamic and structural factors simultaneously, rather than individually, like in previous manual methods. With this strategy, BladeFORGE cuts optimization time by more than 50%, and the methods have already received approval in principle from the Korean Register.To match the efficiency of their cutting-edge platform, KIER has also created a research facility at Jeju Global Research Center that will house wind blade design, fabrication, and structural testing all under one roof.
This system and facility are substantial steps in Korea's renewable energy efforts, as they both cut manufacturing times domestically and reduce outsourcing of necessary parts. By reducing the need for shipping, in particular, the program reduces the excess use of energy in production that causes the rapid overheating of our planet.
Using BladeFORGE in tandem with this new infrastructure, researchers created a 107-meter (351-foot), 12-megawatt-class wind turbine blade — the first of its size and capacity from Korea to receive Des Norske Veritas design verification. To receive approval from DNV is a major credit to the program, as the provider sets quality and safety standards globally for wind turbine components.
This focus on localizing manufacturing thanks to KIER puts the country's renewable industry at a new level, as it reflects a commitment to the environment at all stages of production, not just in energy production.
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