General Meetings: Thursdays at 7:00pm in EE 112

Design Meetings: Tuesdays at 7:00pm in EE 112

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Missouri S&T chapter of the Academy of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineers
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Past Cars

Sol Survivor (1993) 

Sol Survivor was the first car designed and manufactured at the former University of Missouri-Rolla. After discussing vehicle shape and array configuration, students began building the honeycomb and Kevlar shell. This was the most time-consuming part of the process, and the car was assembled in only 6 months. This vehicle finished the Sunrayce 27th out of 34 teams with an average speed of 11.5 mph. Sol Survivor, our first venture into the world of solar cars. Sol Survivor, our first venture into the world of solar cars.

Body: Kevlar w/ nomex core
Chassis: 4130/carbon steel
Weight: 824 lbs
Tires: 20 in. Avocette Bike (4 wheeled)

Batteries: lead acid
Motor: Unique Mobility brushless DC with double reduction belt drive
Solar Cells: silicon, 600

 

E-Cubed (1995)

E-Cubed was the second car produced by the team. With a team of nearly 50 students and greater resources, the vehicle was fabricated using carbon fiber composites and other new materials. The team also concentrated on aerodynamic improvements and a more efficient array configuration. The team finished Sunrayce 30th out of 38 with an average speed of 13.5 mph. E-Cubed stands for Education, Energy, and Environment. E-cubed during Sunrayce 95.
E-cubed during Sunrayce 95.

Body: Carbon fiber w/ nomax core
Chassis: Carbon fiber composite
Weight: 1174 lbs
Tires: 20 in. Avocette Bike (front),
16 in. (motorcycle rear) (3 tires)

Batteries: Lead acid
Motor: Unique Mobility brushless DC w/
double reduction belt drive
Solar Cells: silicon, 1000W

 

Solar Miner (1997)

The solar miner that started it all. This car was the first made with the body manufacturing style that we still use today. In comparing this body to that of Solar Miner 4's you can see how we have streamlined the design that has lead us to two championships. Solar Miner finished Sunrayce 17th out of 36 with an average speed of 28.6 mph. Solar Miner during Sunrayce 97.
Solar Miner during Sunrayce 97.

Body: Foam and kevlar
Chassis: Aluminum space frame
Weight: 620 lbs
Tires: Bridgestone (4 tires)

Batteries: lead acid
Motor: Unique Mobility brushless DC w/
single reduction belt drive
Solar Cells: silicon, 900W

 

Solar Miner II (1999)

With the aid of new software packages and past experience, Solar Miner II was a large improvement from its predecessors. The integration of theses new technologies and new ideas produced the 1999 Sunrayce champion with an average speed of 25.3 mph. The rayce was challenging and rarely sunny. The team also won the “Best Prepared Team” award plus free entry to the 2001 World Solar Challenge where they placed 3rd in their class and 22nd overall. Solar Miner II, Sunrayce 99 champion. Solar Miner II, Sunrayce 99 champion.

Body: Foam and kevlar
Chassis: Aluminum space frame
Weight: 644 lbs
Tires: Bridgestone (4 tires)

Batteries: lead acid
Motor: New Generation Motors DC brushless motor 96V
Solar Cells: silicon, 1000W

 

Solar Miner III (2001)

Solar Miner III was the next incarnation of the Solar Miner series. The project was started in the fall of 1999 after the World Solar Challenge. The car finished 2nd in the 2001 American Solar Challenge and 4th in the World Solar Challenge. Between the two races, the car received a sleeker body and new, higher efficiency gallium arsenide solar cells which replaced its lower grade silicon array.

Construction of Solar Miner III

Solar Miner III racing down Stuart Highway during the World Solar Challenge 2001 in Austrailia.
Solar Miner III racing down Stuart Highway during the World Solar Challenge 2001 in Austrailia.

Body: Foam and kevlar
Chassis: Aluminum space frame
Weight: ~360lbs
Tires: Bridgestone (3 tires)

Batteries: Lithium-ion
Motor: New Generation Motors DC brushless motor 96V
Solar Cells:
Body 1: silicon, 950W
Body 2: gallium-arsenide, 1200W

 

Solar Miner IV (2003)

Solar Miner IV was designed on an accelerated schedule due to the team’s participation in the 2001 World Solar Challenge. Despite the shortened timetable, the team made significant improvements and debugged the car in time to race to a 2003 American Solar Challenge (ASC) victory. The team put over 1000 test miles on the car prior to ASC and continues to improve upon the 2003 world champion design in preparation for Formula Sun Grand Prix 2004.

Construction of Solar Miner IV

SM IV
Solar Miner IV on the road during the 2003 American Solar Challenge.

Body: Foam and kevlar
Chassis: Aluminum space frame
Weight: ~340lbs
Tires: Bridgestone Ecopia (3 tires)

Batteries: Lithium-ion polymer
Motor: New Generation Motors DC brushless motor 96V
Solar Cells: gallium-arsenide, 1400W

 

Solar Miner V (2005)

Solar Miner V was completed in 2005 to compete in the North American Solar Challenge, which was a 2500 mile race that began in Austin, Texas and ended in Calgary, Canada. The car finished 4th overall in the race. The design of Solar Miner V saw the most powerful solar array of any car we have built.

Array placement of Solar Miner V

SM V
Solar Miner V races through the colorful fields of Manitoba in Canada during the North American Solar Challenge.

Body: Foam and kevlar
Chassis: Aluminum space frame
Weight: 375 lbs
Tires: Bridgestone Ecopia (3 tires)

Batteries: Lithium-ion polymer
Motor: New Generation Motors DC brushless motor 96V
Solar Cells: gallium-arsenide, 2000W

 

Micro Miner (2006)

Micro Miner was constructed from Solar Miner IV. Construction began in February after an accelerated design cycle. The chassis was modified slightly to fit the narrower body, and a completely new body was constructed for the race. As per the rules, we were limited to 1.8m2 of silicon cells, so the body was much smaller than any other of our cars. Additionally, the battery pack was only 5kg. It took first place in the S-Class of the 2006 Solar Bike Rayce, held at Crowder College. We decided to compete in this due to the lack of an upcoming North American Solar Challenge at the time. Micro Miner
Micro Miner rounds a corner on the Crowder College circuit.

Body: Foam and fiberglass
Chassis: Aluminum space frame
Weight: ~340lbs
Tires: Bridgestone Ecopia (3 tires)

Batteries: Lithium-ion polymer
Motor: New Generation Motors DC brushless motor 96V
Solar Cells: Silicon, 1.8m2

 

Solar Miner VI (2008)

Solar Miner VI was delayed over a year due to lack of funding for the main competition, the North American Solar Challenge. It was completed in the summer of 2008 to compete in the NASC, which was a 2400 mile race that began in Dallas, Texas and ended in Calgary, Canada. The car finished 7th overall in the race.

Photos from the race

Construction of Solar Miner VI - Also seen in the unveiling video.

SM VI
Solar Miner VI races in NASC 2008

Body: Foam and kevlar
Chassis: Aluminum space frame
Weight: 400 lbs
Tires: Bridgestone Ecopia (3 tires)

Batteries: Lithium-ion polymer
Motor: New Generation Motors DC brushless motor 96V
Solar Cells: gallium-arsenide, 1470W

©1995-2009 Missouri S&T Solar Car Team
Last Modified: 16:06:49 Fri, Mar 13, 2009
Current Time: 05:53:44 Sat, Nov 07, 2009
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