For this project, we were asked by Hyundai to create a energy efficient vehicle design. As an added challenge, we needed the vehicle to carry 2 rolls of pennies, 250 grams, travel 5 meters, and stop by itself. My group, consisting of myself, Luke Venezia, and Andersen Teoh, took to the challenge.
Above is the P.A.L. 2017 Gen. 1 Solar Car. The P.A.L. Gen. 1 Solar Car is a car run purely on sunlight. The car features an open cabin that can be easily slid into. The car is also extremely eco-friendly. The miniature version features a 5 volt solar panel and travels at an astounding 1.1 m/s. Our car also features an automatic braking system which is made by tying a string around the back axle. Lastly, the car features an adjustable solar panel angle to intake maximum sunlight. We made the car's frame out of pieces of wood that we hot-glued together. The motor and wheels came from an old toy car and the solar panel was bought online.
Here is a video of our car in action.
Here is the slideshow presentation for our car.
Here are the calculations for our car.
Steps of the Project
To make this car was a long journey. In the early stages of this project, we started with brainstorming. We wanted a solar-powered car. We left a lot of wiggle room there. When we actually started building, we couldn't get a lot done. More about that in the Reflection. After a weekend of work, we finally got the hardware of the car over with. We then began the testing phase. In the testing phase.The car worked like a roller-coaster. We had a lot of ups and downs. Sometimes it worked flawlessly and sometimes it didn't work at all. We were able to address the problems, but it seemed as though the moment we fixed one problem, another started! The problems continued up until 10 minutes before our presentation! Finally in the moment of truth, our car came through for us! It ended up stopping around 5.5 meters, but it got the job done. These were the steps of the creation of the P.A.L. 2017 Gen. 1 Solar Car.
Physics Concepts
Spring Constant(k): The spring constant states that the force required to compress or extend a spring is directly proportional to the distance that it's stretched. It's the stiffness of the spring. The equation is F=kd. The unit is Newton-meters(N/m).
Spring Potential Energy(PEspring): The amount of energy stored by compressing a string. The equation is PEspring=1/2kx^2, where x stands for the displacement of the spring. The unit is joules(J).
Thermal Energy(TE): The amount of energy converted to heat. The equation is TE=Etotal-PE-KE. The unit is joules(J).
Velocity(v)- a measure of speed in which both direction and magnitude are needed to define it. The equation for velocity is v=/\d//\t. The unit for velocity is meters per second(m/s).
Spring Potential Energy(PEspring): The amount of energy stored by compressing a string. The equation is PEspring=1/2kx^2, where x stands for the displacement of the spring. The unit is joules(J).
Thermal Energy(TE): The amount of energy converted to heat. The equation is TE=Etotal-PE-KE. The unit is joules(J).
Velocity(v)- a measure of speed in which both direction and magnitude are needed to define it. The equation for velocity is v=/\d//\t. The unit for velocity is meters per second(m/s).
Reflection
Looking back on this project, I definitely see areas to improve on. Although the final turnout was successful, there were DEFINITELY bumps in the road. One of the worst problems was actually getting the car put together. During our designated building time, we spent so much time switching between designs that we had pretty much no car at the end of the build days. After a quick weekend of work, we were ready. We attached the solar panel and the car miraculously worked! We were so full of joy, but when we came back the next day, the car had stopped working. This was only the start of a ton of problems. They ranged from the gears sliding off so the wheels wouldn't turn, to the wires and connections coming off, to the solar panel itself breaking! We were frantically fixing each issue, because presentation day was getting close. At last, presentation day had arrived. After a quick lunchtime of fixing some last minute problems, finishing up calculations, an rehearsing lines, it was time to present. Our presentation got by with close to no problems. Finally. The moment of truth. We had to run the car in front of the whole class. With a stroke of luck, the car worked! The car finished just long at 5.5 meters, but it was still a victory! This project definitely taught me many things, but most of all it was time management. This project showed me that I need to spend my time working on the important aspects of the project and to not get sidetracked. That was my biggest takeaway from the project. Although, I definitely think we put together an awesome car that Hyundai will love!
Looking back on this project, I definitely see areas to improve on. Although the final turnout was successful, there were DEFINITELY bumps in the road. One of the worst problems was actually getting the car put together. During our designated building time, we spent so much time switching between designs that we had pretty much no car at the end of the build days. After a quick weekend of work, we were ready. We attached the solar panel and the car miraculously worked! We were so full of joy, but when we came back the next day, the car had stopped working. This was only the start of a ton of problems. They ranged from the gears sliding off so the wheels wouldn't turn, to the wires and connections coming off, to the solar panel itself breaking! We were frantically fixing each issue, because presentation day was getting close. At last, presentation day had arrived. After a quick lunchtime of fixing some last minute problems, finishing up calculations, an rehearsing lines, it was time to present. Our presentation got by with close to no problems. Finally. The moment of truth. We had to run the car in front of the whole class. With a stroke of luck, the car worked! The car finished just long at 5.5 meters, but it was still a victory! This project definitely taught me many things, but most of all it was time management. This project showed me that I need to spend my time working on the important aspects of the project and to not get sidetracked. That was my biggest takeaway from the project. Although, I definitely think we put together an awesome car that Hyundai will love!