MTU Researchers Honored for Wind Power Work

Two Michigan Tech researchers have been honored for their efforts to make wind turbines more reliable. Antonio Velazquez earned his PhD from Michigan Technological University last fall. Assistant Professor Andrew Swartz was Velazquez’s advisor in civil and environmental engineering. They received the university’s Bhakta Rath Research Award for developing wireless sensors that monitor the health of wind turbines. The sensors look for odd vibrations and other signs that the tower or turbine is developing a mechanical problem. Mathematical models help the system tell the difference between vibrations caused by normal operation, and those caused by mechanical issues. To learn more about their work, click here.