Vectran Fiber helps energy-generating aerial wind turbine lift off
09 Sep '08
4 min read
Vectran Expanding into Fabric
Based on the positive results of using Vectran in the tethers, Magenn Power now plans on using it woven in the fabric of the helium-holding aircraft that also contains a UV laminate for sun protection.
“We were looking for a stronger fiber for the fabric envelope and plan to use Vectran for its high strength and proven performance in the tethers,” said Mac Brown, Magenn Power's chief marketing officer.
Vectran fiber also has been used as the fabric in the airbags on NASA's Mars Spirit and Opportunity Rover missions that enabled the crafts' soft landings. In addition, it has been used in bridle cables, space suits and inflatable spacecraft.
“From the surface of Mars to the bottom of Earth's oceans, Vectran's unique combination of properties makes it the material of choice in demanding applications where other fibers fail to meet requirements,” said Robert Knudsen, manager of sales and marketing for Kuraray America, Inc.'s Vectran division.
The Magenn story was featured on Discovery Channel's new series, Discovery Project Earth, on Sept. 5. The program features Fred Fergussen, the Canadian engineer specializing in airships, who invented the revolutionary wind turbine that uses the constant winds that exist at 1,000 feet above sea level to produce renewable energy.
20240830145952.gif)
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "UBM China (Shanghai)")
-Ltd..jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Thermore (Far East) Ltd.")
