this post was submitted on 20 Jun 2023
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Ross Stevens’ potted plant-inspired wind turbine showcases the potential of multi-material 3D printing to craft large-scale and recyclable products. Developed in collaboration with Nicole Hone, the Power Pot Plant is a 3D-printed wind turbine that seamlessly integrates technology, nature, and renewable sources to secure energy while preserving the environment.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Big, big, big problem with this.

I love the idea, but on a particularly hot and sunny day your wind turbine will melt. PLA's glass transition temperature is 55-60 degrees celsius, so I'd fully expect a surface could see that in spots on a particularly sunny day. That wouldn't immediately destroy it, but over time high outdoor temperatures could cause the print to start to warp.

I love the idea though, and I love the idea of expanding the use of PLA in society, given that it's a renewable bioplastic that can be recycled but also biodegradable (or even burned without a terrible environmental impact.