【World News】reports: University of Michigan is currently developing an ultra-light
solar car. Specifically for this car in Australia in October this year to participate in the World Solar Car Race and design, if won the first, will be the 1987 General Motors (GM) of the Sunraycer concept car, the first American to win the solar car.
【The New York Times】 reports: Car named "quantum" (Quantum) solar car, the University of Michigan research team was established 22 years ago, developed the first 11 cars. Structural weight of the car, even with the suspension components, disc brakes, the stent group and customized handling, weighing only 52 pounds. The group hopes to complete the target weight is 320 pounds.
Gave impetus to solar car contest Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne National Lab) Transportation Research Center, senior technology consultant - Larsen (Robert Larsen) said: "I am very pleased University of Michigan researchers, but also committed to research and reduced vehicle weight minimum "; added:" University of Michigan's solar car, always wanted to have manufactured sophisticated in the world, and the introduction of other teams do not use other techniques, but often design a larger body. "
Today, Quantum cars in addition to space narrowing, the chassis is more like the shape of the bottom of a seaplane. The driver must first be drilled into the cramped seating operation, overhead and installed a row of solar cells, the front is a large bright and smooth carbon fiber, and be able to withstand 120 degree heat, because the only air-conditioning system device, just a catheter into the natural wind. Even more unexpected is that this car has "Cruise Control" (Cruise control) function, and even can use I-Phone mobile phone remote control settings.
Quantum narrow shape car, inherited the University of Michigan Solar Car in North America last year to win the 500 pounds Infinium car design features.?
The school solar car team manager Cramer (Rachel Kramer) said: "The car has" quantum "in the name is very appropriate, can be reminiscent of the very small and fine things, and we have developed the world's top solar car.” In order to reduce the weight of Quantum vehicle, except the use of carbon fiber body, researchers have extensive use of aluminum and titanium materials.
By providing the whole vehicle aerodynamics technology, is the primary focus of research and development, therefore, Quantum car obtained including General Motors, Roush industrial engineering companies, as well as many precision machinery companies, including, more than 300 corporate sponsorship. Participation in research and development of solar car school students in fourth grade chemicals Xi Erjie (Chris Hilger) said: "Quantum car is the most remarkable aerodynamic vehicles.