Further developments in using model solar racers as an introduction to engineering

Andrew Lau; Tobin Short; Elizabeth Kisenwether; James Fogarty

Further developments in using model solar racers as an introduction to engineering

Andrew Lau
, Tobin Short
, Elizabeth Kisenwether
, James Fogarty

School of Engineering Design and Innovation

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper describes recent improvements in the design of model solar racers based on experience with first-year engineering and middle school students. With both audiences, the main educational goal is to introduce students to engineering in a fun way. Several modifications have been added to improve our program relative to the national Junior Solar Sprint, including 1) less expensive, more durable solar cells, 2) a different DC motor that matches the lower power output and higher array voltage possible with the new cells, and 3) an additional race powered by rechargeable batteries. Another distinguishing feature of our effort is the combination of field experience from the middle school and engineering analysis with the first-year engineering students. These efforts inform one another and have resulted in an enhanced understanding of the performance characteristics and tradeoffs in the design process. We have been able to build an analytical model that accounts for the possible variables affected by the design. These include gear ratio, friction, car mass, drag coefficient, frontal area, array wiring, and solar intensity. We have also developed simple tests to determine solar and motor performance.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	Proceedings of the Solar World Congress 2005
Subtitle of host publication	Bringing Water to the World, Including Proceedings of 34th ASES Annual Conference and Proceedings of 30th National Passive Solar Conference
Pages	2478-2483
Number of pages	6
State	Published - 2005
Event	Solar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including 34th ASES Annual Conference and 30th National Passive Solar Conference - Orlando, FL, United States Duration: Aug 6 2005 → Aug 12 2005

Publication series

Name	Proceedings of the Solar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including Proceedings of 34th ASES Annual Conference and Proceedings of 30th National Passive Solar Conference
Volume	4

Other

Other	Solar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including 34th ASES Annual Conference and 30th National Passive Solar Conference
Country/Territory	United States
City	Orlando, FL
Period	8/6/05 → 8/12/05

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Cite this

Lau, A., Short, T., Kisenwether, E., & Fogarty, J. (2005). Further developments in using model solar racers as an introduction to engineering. In Proceedings of the Solar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including Proceedings of 34th ASES Annual Conference and Proceedings of 30th National Passive Solar Conference (pp. 2478-2483). (Proceedings of the Solar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including Proceedings of 34th ASES Annual Conference and Proceedings of 30th National Passive Solar Conference; Vol. 4).

Lau, Andrew ; Short, Tobin ; Kisenwether, Elizabeth et al. / Further developments in using model solar racers as an introduction to engineering. Proceedings of the Solar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including Proceedings of 34th ASES Annual Conference and Proceedings of 30th National Passive Solar Conference. 2005. pp. 2478-2483 (Proceedings of the Solar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including Proceedings of 34th ASES Annual Conference and Proceedings of 30th National Passive Solar Conference).

@inproceedings{49047e4c9b94444d96a8cac50fbef369,

title = "Further developments in using model solar racers as an introduction to engineering",

abstract = "This paper describes recent improvements in the design of model solar racers based on experience with first-year engineering and middle school students. With both audiences, the main educational goal is to introduce students to engineering in a fun way. Several modifications have been added to improve our program relative to the national Junior Solar Sprint, including 1) less expensive, more durable solar cells, 2) a different DC motor that matches the lower power output and higher array voltage possible with the new cells, and 3) an additional race powered by rechargeable batteries. Another distinguishing feature of our effort is the combination of field experience from the middle school and engineering analysis with the first-year engineering students. These efforts inform one another and have resulted in an enhanced understanding of the performance characteristics and tradeoffs in the design process. We have been able to build an analytical model that accounts for the possible variables affected by the design. These include gear ratio, friction, car mass, drag coefficient, frontal area, array wiring, and solar intensity. We have also developed simple tests to determine solar and motor performance.",

author = "Andrew Lau and Tobin Short and Elizabeth Kisenwether and James Fogarty",

year = "2005",

language = "English (US)",

isbn = "9781622762637",

series = "Proceedings of the Solar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including Proceedings of 34th ASES Annual Conference and Proceedings of 30th National Passive Solar Conference",

pages = "2478--2483",

booktitle = "Proceedings of the Solar World Congress 2005",

note = "Solar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including 34th ASES Annual Conference and 30th National Passive Solar Conference ; Conference date: 06-08-2005 Through 12-08-2005",

}

Lau, A, Short, T, Kisenwether, E & Fogarty, J 2005, Further developments in using model solar racers as an introduction to engineering. in Proceedings of the Solar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including Proceedings of 34th ASES Annual Conference and Proceedings of 30th National Passive Solar Conference. Proceedings of the Solar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including Proceedings of 34th ASES Annual Conference and Proceedings of 30th National Passive Solar Conference, vol. 4, pp. 2478-2483, Solar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including 34th ASES Annual Conference and 30th National Passive Solar Conference, Orlando, FL, United States, 8/6/05.

Further developments in using model solar racers as an introduction to engineering. / Lau, Andrew; Short, Tobin; Kisenwether, Elizabeth et al.
Proceedings of the Solar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including Proceedings of 34th ASES Annual Conference and Proceedings of 30th National Passive Solar Conference. 2005. p. 2478-2483 (Proceedings of the Solar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including Proceedings of 34th ASES Annual Conference and Proceedings of 30th National Passive Solar Conference; Vol. 4).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

TY - GEN

T1 - Further developments in using model solar racers as an introduction to engineering

AU - Lau, Andrew

AU - Short, Tobin

AU - Kisenwether, Elizabeth

AU - Fogarty, James

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N2 - This paper describes recent improvements in the design of model solar racers based on experience with first-year engineering and middle school students. With both audiences, the main educational goal is to introduce students to engineering in a fun way. Several modifications have been added to improve our program relative to the national Junior Solar Sprint, including 1) less expensive, more durable solar cells, 2) a different DC motor that matches the lower power output and higher array voltage possible with the new cells, and 3) an additional race powered by rechargeable batteries. Another distinguishing feature of our effort is the combination of field experience from the middle school and engineering analysis with the first-year engineering students. These efforts inform one another and have resulted in an enhanced understanding of the performance characteristics and tradeoffs in the design process. We have been able to build an analytical model that accounts for the possible variables affected by the design. These include gear ratio, friction, car mass, drag coefficient, frontal area, array wiring, and solar intensity. We have also developed simple tests to determine solar and motor performance.

AB - This paper describes recent improvements in the design of model solar racers based on experience with first-year engineering and middle school students. With both audiences, the main educational goal is to introduce students to engineering in a fun way. Several modifications have been added to improve our program relative to the national Junior Solar Sprint, including 1) less expensive, more durable solar cells, 2) a different DC motor that matches the lower power output and higher array voltage possible with the new cells, and 3) an additional race powered by rechargeable batteries. Another distinguishing feature of our effort is the combination of field experience from the middle school and engineering analysis with the first-year engineering students. These efforts inform one another and have resulted in an enhanced understanding of the performance characteristics and tradeoffs in the design process. We have been able to build an analytical model that accounts for the possible variables affected by the design. These include gear ratio, friction, car mass, drag coefficient, frontal area, array wiring, and solar intensity. We have also developed simple tests to determine solar and motor performance.

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M3 - Conference contribution

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EP - 2483

BT - Proceedings of the Solar World Congress 2005

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ER -

Lau A, Short T, Kisenwether E, Fogarty J. Further developments in using model solar racers as an introduction to engineering. In Proceedings of the Solar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including Proceedings of 34th ASES Annual Conference and Proceedings of 30th National Passive Solar Conference. 2005. p. 2478-2483. (Proceedings of the Solar World Congress 2005: Bringing Water to the World, Including Proceedings of 34th ASES Annual Conference and Proceedings of 30th National Passive Solar Conference).

Further developments in using model solar racers as an introduction to engineering

Abstract

Publication series

Other

UN SDGs

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

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