Wind power

Interactive animations on wind power: understand the forces on the rotor, rotor blade design and the physical principles behind wind energy utilisation.

Rotor Forces

The following animation illustrates the forces acting on the rotor of a wind turbine in the rotor plane. The various force components and their vector addition are displayed dynamically during rotation. Links Description of the Animation The animation shows a simplified wind turbine rotor with three blades in a top-down view. Pressing the Start button… Read More: Rotor Forces »

Forces on Airfoil

The animation shows the forces on an aircraft airfoil (Clark Y profile). The angle of attack is adjustable. The force vectors update accordingly. Links Description of the Animation The lift force (blue) and the drag force (red) result from the lift coefficient CL and the drag coefficient CD, respectively. These coefficients are represented by curves… Read More: Forces on Airfoil »

Diffusion and Drift (Analogy Model for Solar Technology)

The simulation illustrates how diffusion and drift affect the spatial distribution of charge carriers – two processes fundamental to understanding solar cells. Links Description In an illuminated semiconductor material, free charge carriers are generated: electrons and holes. Both initially move randomly through the material (diffusion). Holes form when electrons leave their lattice sites – they… Read More: Diffusion and Drift (Analogy Model for Solar Technology) »