UQ Sunshark team confident of strong finish in solar race
The University of Queensland's Solar Racing Team is confident the most technologically advanced SunShark yet is a serious line-honours contender in the open class of the 3010km World Solar Challenge which begins on October 17.
The latest SunShark was launched by Professor John Hay, University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor, at a ceremony in the Great Court on October 8.
The vehicle will be among an international 40-vehicle field tackling the harsh environment of the Australian Outback and Mediterranean South Australia during the four-to-seven-day trek from Darwin to Adelaide.
Professor Hay said while continuing advances in SunShark's technology were admirable, he had also observed a "remarkable growth" in the team's project management abilities.
He said this combination of academic and professional skills were "most valued by all the employers of graduates of great universities."
The 1999 SunShark team is made up of more than 20 volunteer undergraduates from several different UQ faculties, incorporating a publicity team of five journalism students.
SunShark has undergone a serious of major upgrades and additions which project manager Darren Bell believes will give the car strong World Solar Challenge claims, and should see an improvement on the 1996 team's result.
Mr Bell said recent modifications included a more reliable electrical system, a custom-made motor controller, carbon wheels and the installation of Saft lithium-ion batteries.
"The new lithium-ion batteries will elevate both the team's potential performance and our racing class to an open level," he said.
"SunShark won the lead-acid class in the 1996 World Solar Challenge and we are hoping we can keep the flag flying with this development."
Mr Bell said the electrical team has rectified the formerly unreliable electrical system with a Power Control Board (PCB), therefore limiting the number of external wires.
Other features contributing to the reliability of the vehicle are the telemetry system, which enables the trailing vehicle to effectively monitor the car's performance, and a motor controller designed and custom-built by fourth year Electrical Engineering undergraduate David Finn.
After the World Solar Challenge, the SunShark will return to south-east Queensland to be centrepiece of the APEC Technomart III's Earth Sciences, Transport, Mining and Infrastructure Technology category at the Parkroyal Surfers Paradise Hotel from November 1 to 6.
Endorsed by the 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group, the APEC Technomart III is expected to attract 5000 delegates from Australia and overseas.
