The University of Queensland's solar car, SunShark, will receive a new motor following a $30,000 injection of funds by the University.
University of Queensland Solar Racing Team project manager Darren Bell said the University's support would enable an exciting new phase of development.
Mr Bell said a significant proportion of the funds would help develop an 'in-wheel' motor.
'This motor will actually be housed inside the central rear wheel, eliminating inefficiencies associated with having drive belts and gears,' he said.
'The efficiency gain means SunShark will put more power than ever onto the bitumen, enhancing its elite reputation.'
Project mechanical co-ordinator and fourth-year UQ mechanical engineering student Bernard Walsh said the new world racing standard motor would have 97.4 per cent efficiency, an increase of some 10 per cent on the current system.
'It will incorporate specially designed electro-magnetics, extensive use of lightweight composite materials and advanced manufacturing techniques,' Mr Walsh said.
The University's funding will help support performance upgrades, including new solar cells. The team is also investing in vehicle weight-saving measures and will construct a lighter top shell, allowing solar cells to be attached in separate modules.
UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay said the University was pleased to support the advancement of the world-class project, backing the innovation and ingenuity of the student team with resources.
'Our students and their vehicle have proven themselves in international fields. The University wishes them well in their next competition rounds, ' Professor Hay said.
The team is currently redeveloping SunShark for three events over the next 18 months. SunShark's next race is the seven-day endurance CitiPower Sunrace in January from Sydney to Melbourne, via Canberra. In October 1999 SunShark will compete in the fifth Darwin-to-Adelaide World Solar Challenge.
Between these two events the team will also take SunShark on a testing and promotional tour of North Queensland, incorporating stops at regional centres.
In 1996 SunShark forged a reputation as a world-class example of low-budget solar vehicle technology when the rookie car was the first Australian entry across the finish line in Adelaide, taking class honours and placing fifth overall.
In August 1997 the SunShark team won its class and placed fifth overall among 80 entries at Japan's World Solar-Car Rally at Akita, 600 km north of Tokyo, on the island of Honshu. SunShark completed 35 laps of the purpose-built Ogata-Mura racetrack to win the stock class for solar cars with commercial grade lead-acid batteries and solar cells.
For further information contact Steve Goodwin (telephone a.h. 07 3398 5105/Solar racing team number 07 3365 3771).
World Wide Web: http://www.uq.net.au/sunshark/
Email: uqsrt@pc.elec.uq.edu.au
