Wind Power Made More Practical with 3D Printing

UC Irvine News highlighted Professor Mo Li’s Advanced Multifunctional Materials and Manufacturing for Structures (AM³) Lab pioneering concrete-based, large-scale wind-turbine elements fabricated by robotic 3D printing systems directly on site  . These printed components—including columns over 16 feet tall and turbine supports soaring above 400 feet with blades spanning more than 350 feet—eliminate the need for extensive formwork, slash labor and transportation bottlenecks, and leverage materials engineered for autogenous healing, self-sensing, and lightweight performance under extreme loads and environmental stresses  . By minimizing reliance on imported steel and designing for recyclability at end of life, the approach promises to lower costs and carbon footprints, making next-generation wind power more scalable amid evolving U.S. decarbonization goals. Backed by a $1.76 million grant from the California Energy Commission and partnerships with industry and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, these innovations could reshape America’s clean-energy infrastructure. Read more.