BlackboardCOE to Compete in SUNRAYCE 97
SUNRAYCE 97, a long-distance solar car race, is the most visible part of an overall, ongoing team initiative that brings together some of the best minds from the public and private sectors in the pursuit of technical innovation, educational opportunity and excellence.
The race, held every two years, is a multifaceted partnership involving students, educational institutions, towns, cities, local and national government agencies, and business. Co-sponsored by General Motors and the U. S. Department of Energy, it contributes to America's awareness about clean energy options, environmental protection, cost savings through energy efficient improvements in transportation and innovation in new, fast growing, energy-related fields.
Nearly 60 teams will seek to qualify for 40 slots on the race which begins in Indianapolis and runs for 10 days across America's heartland to the Rocky Mountains, terminating in Colorado Springs. The team with the lowest cumulative time wins. Daily winners will also be honored, and there will be various other awards for technical innovation, sportsmanship, and teamwork.
The FAMU-FSU team has five senior design students from Mechanical Engineering, four from Electrical Engineering, and several others working on the car, under the direction of Prof. Steven Durbin of Electrical Engineering and Prof. William Shields of Mechanical Engineering. At this writing the frame is completed and the suspension is being fabricated. Half of the solar panels are already in place. The target date for completion is April 1st, leaving time for testing before the car is taken to the General Motors proving grounds in Mesa, Arizona at the end of April.
In addition to GM and the Department of Energy, donations for construction of the car were received from Ford Motor Company, the Tallahassee Electric Utility and others. The College provided $10,000 in seed money to initiate the project.
