Chennai: After failing to race its solar-powered car during the previous edition of Bridgestone Solar Power Challenge, IIT Madras student team ‘Agnirath‘ re-jigged its creation this time around by reducing the vehicle’s weight, improving telemetry devices, enhancing control systems, and minimising energy losses. The competition will be conducted in Australia from August 24 to 31.
“The competition is a test of endurance as students have to navigate the car for 3,000 km using solar energy. The present solar panels have 24% efficiency,” said Anirudh, one of the team members. The students tested their prototype vehicle, and it reached a top speed of 45 kmph.
They will fit carbon fibre to the car and hold test runs. It is expected to reach a top speed of 120 kmph. At the Centre For Innovation open house on Saturday, school and college students flocked to the vehicle, eagerly seeking details.
Another team, Abhyuday, displayed hybrid rocket engine at the event. “We are the first Asian student team to develop a hybrid rocket engine. It will use both solid fuel and liquid oxidiser,” said Rohith S, one of the team members. The engine is expected to lift a 4 kg payload to a height of 10,000 ft at Spaceport America Cup contest on June 9.
“This year, over 60 projects involving 1000 students showcased innovations. We filed 15 patents for innovations,” said Prof Sathyanarayana N Gummadi, dean (students), IIT-M.