Dutch engineer students get ready to compete in the 2013 World Solar Challenge

Young engineer students from all over the world are busy getting ready for lift off for the 2013 World Solar Challenge that is to be held in Australia from Oct 6-13. The conditions for the competition influence teams to invent and build the most efficient and unique looking vehicles that stand out. As many of you know, the vehicles will require many solar panels for them to be operational on the road. Therefore, being able to compete with other teams will require some creativity involved while in the process of having it mechanically possible.

“The project started with the first ideas in March last year, we wondered why there was no car yet that is practical, comfortable and drives purely on solar energy,” Lex Hoefsloot, team manager Solar Team Eindhoven, told the News.

Recreation: Building a Solar-Powered Plane

       For those arts and crafts fans, get ready to take a new level by building your very own solar-powered plane. Instructables user jeffmazter406 have provided a step-by-step guide, along with detailed instructions and photos, in creating one, which is a similar yet mini version of the Solar Impulse plane. It also links to two Powerpoint presentations by Texas A&M University to help walk you through the procedures.
     

         This project has been constructed by Newman Smith High School students with the help of faculty in Carrollton, Texas and has been sponsored by the Texas A&M University Society of Flight Test Engineers. The team, in addition, notes that "the project is not for the beginner as it gets complicated." However, if you may feel the need to want to experience and create a solar-powered plane, click here.