Eric Loth, a 2008 inductee into West Virginia University’s Academy of Distinguished Alumni of Aerospace Engineering, has been named to the “Popular Science” list of 12 “brilliant minds behind the new energy revolution” for his work in wind energy.

As wind turbines grow larger to increase the amount of energy they can produce, so does the cost to build bigger rotors. Eventually, the large rotors will cost more to produce than the value of the energy they can produce. Loth, the Rolls-Royce Commonwealth Professor of Engineering and director of the Fluid Research and Innovation Lab at the University of Virginia, designed the Morphing Downwind-aligned Rotor, inspired by a palm tree’s ability to bend in strong winds, as a solution to the high cost of typical rotors.

Loth’s MoDaR design has lightweight, hinged blades that rotate downwind to capture energy efficiently and morph to withstand damaging winds. The lightweight blades could ultimately be made as long as 780 feet, increasing energy output to 50 megawatts, enough energy to power more than 12,000 homes.

“This concept isn’t necessary for today’s smaller turbines,” said Loth, noting that currently, the largest operating turbines generate five to seven megawatts of power. “We’re working on the future: extreme-scale wind turbines.”

Loth earned his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources in 1983, before continuing his studies at Penn State University and the University of Michigan. He was involved in the Aerospace Professional Society, the Scientific Research Society and the Aerospace Engineering Honorary Society during his time at WVU. Loth was hooked on aerospace engineering after taking a class from his father, WVU professor emeritus John Loth.

“Being a Mountaineer means striving for excellence and daring to explore,” said Loth. “WVU gave me a solid foundation of principles of engineering and determination that prepared me for my graduate school studies and a very fortunate and exciting career in academia.”

-WVU-

bmd/07/14/15

CONTACT: Mary C. Dillon; Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
304.293.4086, Mary.Dillon@mail.wvu.edu

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