The Forschungskuratorium Textil (FKT) promotes and coordinates industry-driven cooperative research projects funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) involving 16 research institutes from the textile and clothing industry. It also strives to develop the overall performance of textile research. In total, 20 textile industrial associations representing more than 1,300 companies are involved, including such auxiliary segments as textile machinery engineering, chemical fibers and textile-related services. Besides exhibiting photosensory textiles and a multi-functional car seat at the BMWi Pavilion during HANNOVER MESSE 2016, the FKT is also unveiling textile expansion sensors for monitoring the structural state of rotor blades.

Wind turbine rotor blades can be subject to massive stresses causing perceptible changes to electrical resistance that can be measured by suitable devices. The Institute of Textile Machinery and High Performance Material Technology (ITM) at TU Dresden has developed carbon fibers that can function as textile expansion sensors for this very purpose. A special integrative procedure adds these textile sensors during the manufacture of the rotor blades’ textile reinforcement to enable in-situ structural monitoring that can measure and pinpoint expansions, and therefore stresses, with fine precision. The researchers from Dresden say this technology will in future enable early identification and monitoring of serious structural changes or damage.

Forschungskuratorium Textil e.V. (10117 Berlin, Germany), Hall 2, Stand C28, co-exhibitor with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

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