|
The sixth generation solar-powered car, SOPHIE VI, built by engineering students at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) – a member institution of the Vocational Training Council (VTC) – will take on the World Solar Challenge to be held in Australia this October. SOPHIE VI is 25% lighter than its previous edition and conserves more electricity. Coupled with its streamlined design, the car will surely shine again in the global tournament. The new SOPHIE VI was showcased in a STEM Education Promotion Day held today (2 July). Apart from launching the new solar car, the event also displayed winning works of Seconary School IoT (Internet of Things) design competition and unveiled the D•PARK carnival. The event was jointly organised by the IVE Engineering Discipline, the VTC STEM Education Centre, Federations of Parent-Teacher Associations in four districts (namely Central & Western, Sai Kung, Kwai Tsing, and Islands), the Hong Kong Association of the Heads of Secondary Schools in four districts (namely Central & Western, Sai Kung & Tseung Kwan O, Tsuen Wan & Kwai Tsing, and Islands) and D•PARK. The pledging ceremony for participating in the upcoming World Solar Challenge 2017 was also held. The STEM Education Promotion Day was orgnaised with a view to equipping our younger generations with high-level knowledge and understanding of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Officiating guests of the STEM Education Promotion Day included Chairman of the Committee on Home-School Co-operation Henry TONG Sau-chai, Acting Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services Alfred SIT Wing-hang, and represntatives from Education Bureau, Social Welfare Department, Federations of Parent-Teacher Associations (four districts) and Hong Kong Association of the Heads of Secondary Schools (four districts). VTC Deputy Chairman Professor Eric YIM said, “Since the first-generation solar car was launched in 2010, students and teachers of the IVE Engineering Discipline have made every effort to come up with various improved versions and we now have, right before us, the sixth-generation SOPHIE VI. They were totally committed to the conception, design, engineering and testing of the models. Students put into practice what they have learnt in classrooms, achieving the goal of better fuel efficiency.” Since last year, the IVE Engineering Discipline has studied ways to enhance SOPHIE VI, resolving to build the most energy-efficient solar car. Different from the past models, the body and suspension system of SOPHIE VI is made of carbon fibre and magnesium alloy, making it 25% lighter than the previous edition. The solar cell power output is 1300W. Weighing only 300 kg, SOPHIE VI can be powered by the equivalent amount of electricity required to power a household hairdryer, greatly reducing its power consumption. With a four-wheel design, SOPHIE VI boasts an average speed of 70kph and 110kph at maximum. The car can run non-stop only by the power of the sun, with no time constraints, at an hourly speed of 40km. The functioning of SOPHIE VI is raised thanks to the support of the manufacturing industry. The IVE Engineering Discipline collaborated with Ka Shui International Holdings Limited – the industry leader in magnesium, aluminum and zinc alloys die casting – that provided the magnesium alloy to build the suspension system, making the body weight even lighter. The Discipline also invited automobile designer Derek NG, an alumnus of the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), to design the body of SOPHIE VI. After understanding the aerodynamic properties of the solar car, Mr Ng expanded the area of solar panels and adopted a streamlined car body to lower wind resistance, resulting in a trendy design with enhanced efficacy. This will be the third time that SOPHIE takes on the World Solar Challenge. In 2013, SOPHIE IV made the first attempt finishing in a commendable fourth place in the GoPro Adventure Class. In 2015, SOPHIE V challenged the demanding Cruiser Class for the first time. The biennial solar-powered car race World Solar Challenge brings together education institutes and organisations from around the world. More than 40 teams from over 20 countries and regions joined the last two races. Participating teams in the World Solar Challenge will spend five to six days driving through 3,000 km across the Australian outback, requiring grit and determination as well as professional knowledge of participants. Reputed education institutions like the Univeristy of Cambridge of the UK and Tokai University of Japan took part in the race previously. 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 Diploma of Foundation Studies cover various academic disciplines including Applied Science; Business Administration; Childcare, Elderly and Community Services; Design; Information Technology; Engineering; as well as Hotel, Service and Tourism Studies. Website: www.ive.edu.hk Media Enquiries:2836 1790 |
|