World solar challenge
< Back to university newsA team of staff and students from University College London (UCL) came 11th in one of the world's toughest engineering tests, the Panasonic World Solar Challenge.
The biennial event challenges teams to build their own solar-powered cars and race them over a gruelling 3,000km course in Australia.
UCL's 'SolarFox' (pictured) travelled an impressive 1,689 miles through sand storms and blistering heat, crossing the finishing line after 63 hours and 42 minutes.
Led by Dr Richard Bucknall and Dr Konrad Ciaramella from UCL's Department of Mechanical Engineering, the team was responsible for every aspect of SolarFox's design and manufacture.
Much of the chassis and suspension components were fabricated and welded in the department's workshop and the body was designed in-house using the latest computer software.
Dr Ciaramella said, "Solar-powered cars could reduce or even eliminate the automotive industry's contribution towards air pollution.
While practical solar cars remain a long way off, the development of solar racing cars moves this technology one step closer to reality.
Posted: Tuesday 9 February 2010