Solar-powered car SOPHIE V developed by IVE completes World Solar Challenge in Australia in demanding Cruiser Class
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As the only Chinese team, this was the first time that SOPHIE V has taken part in the highly demanding class alongside more experienced participants. IVE students applied what they have learnt to enhance the technologies and functions of SOPHIE V. Coupled with their thorough preparations beforehand and on-the-spot adaptability, SOPHIE V finally made it through the punishing 3,000km race across the Australian Outback, on a par with other experienced teams.
Setting out from Darwin in the north on 18 October, the participating teams were required to reach nine checkpoints by a designated time, which meant hectic schedules for each section. Team members had to work around the clock, sharing the driving and solar power charging work during the day and urgent repair work in the evenings. SOPHIE V made steady progress and at one point ranked third among the 11 teams in the initial stage, only to encounter strong winds later that blew away the solar panels from the vehicle body. The team had to draw on all their experience and efficiency to carry out essential repairs. Finally SOPHIE V went on to travel for six days, completed the 3,000km race and reached the destination point at Adelaide in the south on 23 October, spanning a longer distance than that from Hong Kong to Beijing.
The newly-developed SOPHIE V has a maximum speed of 110 km per hour. It boasts twin seats, storage space and a roomier driver seat, bearing more resemblance and functionality to regular vehicles. The research and engineering work put in by IVE students and teachers means that SOPHIE V can travel at a speed of 20km to 40km per hour nonstop under sunlight. Computational fluid dynamics technology has been employed to simulate wind tunnel testing for further improvements on the car body. 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.
Earlier the team arranged a pioneer road test for SOPHIE IV, making it the first solar-powered car on the road in Hong Kong. The data collected was referenced for fine-tuning SOPHIE V, laying the foundations for it to take on the Cruiser Class.
The biennial World Solar Challenge brings together education institutes and organisations from around the world to race their solar-powered cars. This year 43 teams from 23 countries and regions took part in three competition classes. An applied research project undertaken by the IVE Engineering Discipline since 2009, the solar-powered car, SOPHIE, enables students to grasp the latest technologies in renewable energy and provides them with diversified learning opportunities.
The Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) is a member of the VTC Group. The nine IVE campuses are located across the SAR. 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
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