News Release

Solar Sunshark On The Road

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Institute of Materials

The Sunshark is one of the hottest prospects for this year's CitiPower SunRace from Sydney to Melbourne. The solar-powered car, built by the University of Queensland Solar Racing Team for the 1996 World Solar Challenge, (a 3,010km race across the Australian Outback) has been developed using new and improved materials and solar cells to reduce the weight of the vehicle and improve its overall performance.

The modifications to Sunshark include a fifty per cent lighter canopy, a stronger and lighter chassis made from a combination of honeycomb and carbon-fibre composites and a thinner windscreen to afford the driver a better view. In addition, a new resin to hold the solar cells in place will maintain their efficiency in the heat of the Outback. These improvements to the AUS$120,000 vehicle, will reduce the weight of the vehicle considerably from the 190kg Sunshark weighed in at in 1996 for the World Solar Challenge. The lighter car will also help raise the car's top speed from 97 kilometres per hour (kmh) to potentially as fast as 120 kmh.

The SunRace and the World Solar Challenge, due to be held in Australia in October 1999, help to demonstrate the improving potential of solar cells as an effective renewable energy source.

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PLEASE MENTION MATERIALS WORLD AS THE SOURCE OF THIS ITEM

For further information or a full copy of the article please contact Andrew McLaughlin on tel: 44-171-451-7395; fax: 44-171-839-2289 or Email: Andrew_Mclaughlin@materials.org.uk

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    Notes for Editors

    1. Materials World is the journal of the Institute of Materials, the professional body of more than 19,000 materials scientists and engineers throughout Europe. The journal is distributed to all of the Institute's members who work in areas such as plastics, rubber, steel, metals and ceramics.

    2. Materials World is also available on the web: http://www.materials.co.uk/mwldweb/mwhome.htm



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