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VTC Engineering Discipline unveils SOPHIE IV in Run-Up to World Solar Challenge 2015
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In its fifth edition, SOPHIE V boasts the adoption of various technologies that markedly enhance its performance and fuel efficiency. The chassis is constructed of carbon fibre composite and Aramid fibre honeycomb core, which is light but sturdy, offering three times the strength of aluminum alloy. The SOPHIE team skilfully uses the solar panels, leveraging Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to enhance the fuel supply efficiency of the solar cell system. Meanwhile, computational fluid dynamics technology has been employed to simulate wind tunnel testing for further improvements on the car body.
Taking part in the Cruiser Class, where vehicles boast twin seats, storage space and a roomier driver seat, IVE students are this time primed for a greater challenge. Cruiser Class vehicles look more like regular cars and have better practical use, but their higher weight poses greater challenges in terms of fuel consumption. Competing with top teams from 12 regions, including the USA, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan and Singapore, SOPHIE V is the only Chinese team in the Cruiser Class.
The biennial World Solar Challenge brings together education institutes and organisations from around the world to race their solar-powered cars. Participating teams in the World Solar Challenge will depart from Darwin in north Australia, driving through the centre of the country to reach Adelaide, some 3,000 km to the south. (Reference: The distance from Hong Kong to Beijing is about 2,500 km.) The travelling time is six days. To add to the challenge, the solar-powered cars can be charged only a single time throughout the entire competition.
The IVE places a premium on practical as well as theoretical training and encourages students to participate in competitions and exchanges for the acquisition of real life experiences and recognition. Students are provided the invaluable opportunity to keep abreast of the latest development in renewable energy.
In 2013 IVE was the first Hong Kong team to take part in the international competition, successfully completing the demanding 3,000 km solar-powered car race through the Australian Outback, from Darwin, Northern Territory, to Adelaide, South Australia, finishing in a commendable fourth place in the GoPro Adventure Class, in the SOPHIE IV.
For the first time, IVE’s SOPHIE team is offering an ‘Adopt a Cell’ scheme to publicise its car and the training opportunities of Engineering at IVE. Individuals and companies can sponsor solar cells, at multiples of HK$100, which will be named after them. No upper limit is set and the public is invited to show its support for IVE and its solar power development plan.
The Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) is a member of the VTC Group. The 9 IVE campuses are located across the territory. Together they provide vocational education for secondary graduates as well as people in employment. IVE courses leading to the award of higher diploma and foundation diploma cover various academic disciplines including Applied Science; Business Administration; Child Education and Community Services; Design; Information Technology; Engineering; as well as Hotel, Service and Tourism Studies.
Website: www.ive.edu.hk
Established in 1982, the Vocational Training Council (VTC) is the largest vocational education, training and professional development group in Hong Kong with some 250,000 students and trainees each year. The mission of VTC is to provide a valued choice to school leavers and working people to acquire the values, knowledge and skills for lifelong learning and enhanced employability, and also to provide valued supports to industries for their manpower development. VTC has 13 member institutions including the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) , the Institute of Professional Education And Knowledge (PEAK) , the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE) , the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) , the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) , International Culinary Institute (ICI) , Hospitality Industry Training and Development Centre (HITDC) , Chinese Cuisine Training Institute (CCTI) , Maritime Services Training Institute (MSTI) , Youth College , Pro-Act by VTC , Integrated Vocational Development Centre (IVDC) and Shine Skills Centre.
VTC web site: www.vtc.edu.hk
Media Enquiries: 2836 1340 / 2836 1046
SOPHIE V Specifications
| SOPHIE V | |
| Length: | 4.5m |
| Width: | 1.8m |
| Height | 1.05m |
| Weight: | 340kg |
| Body materials: | Carbon Fibre Composite & Aramid Fibre Honeycomb Core |
| Max. speed (estimated): | 110 km per hour |
| Seating capacity: | 2 persons |
| Competition Category: | Cruiser Class |
