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Session 1280

RIDING WITH THE SUN: MTSU’S EXPERIENCE IN SOLAR CAR DESIGN AND THE IMPACT ON COMMUNITY

Saleh M. Sbenaty Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Studies Middle Tennessee State University

ABSTRACT

This paper describes Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) efforts in: x promoting its Basic and Applied Sciences programs in general and the Engineering Technology program in particular, x demonstrating the impact of engineering physics and technology on the community, and x boosting environmental awareness in the Middle Tennessee area. The Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Studies at MTSU has participated for the first time in Sunrayce 95 through its entry SOLARAIDER III. The biennial solar car race is designed to promote the use of renewable energy sources, the efficient use of energy, and innovation in engineering and technical education. The author has served as a faculty advisor to the undergraduate student team overlooking the design, construction, and testing of the solar car. Benefits of this project to MTSU students, the younger generation in particular, and the public in general are described below.

INTRODUCTION

Sunrayce is a biennial solar car race sponsored and organized by General Motors (GM), Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The race is designed to promotes the use of renewable energy sources, the efficient use of energy, and innovation in engineering and technical education1. The 1,250-mile race starts in Indianapolis, Indiana and finishes nine days latter in Colorado. The competition is held in June and is open to all colleges, universities, trade schools, and other post-secondary educational institutions in North America. However, for safety purposes, only 40 solar cars are allowed to participate in the actual race. These 40 entries are selected upon successfully passing the Scrutineering (compliance with regulations) and the Qualifier2,3 (a 50-mile pre-race road test). In response to the Request for Proposal from Sunrayce Headquarters, MTSU submitted a proposal in February 1994 to participate in the Sunrayce 95 competition. The proposal discussed design specifications, project planning, fund raising, construction techniques, and testing. After reviewing all proposals at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Golden, Colorado), MTSU was selected to be among 65 participants eligible to compete in the race.

MTSU’S SOLAR CAR TEAM

MTSU is located in the city of Murfreesboro, 30 miles south of Nashville in the state of Tennessee. With current enrollment of approximately 18,000 students, it is the largest and fastest growing in the Middle Tennessee area. The Department of Engineering Technology and

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Sbenaty, S. M. (1997, June), Riding With The Sun: Mtsu's Experience In Solar Car Design And The Impact On Community Paper presented at 1997 Annual Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 10.18260/1-2--6769