A group of young engineers made an unprecedented journey in a homemade solar car, covering the distance from New York to Los Angeles in a record 13 days. This feat opens new horizons in the field of sustainable transport.
Solar Cannonball Record
Innovative Achievement
Three talented engineers - Will Jones, Kyle Samluck and Danny Ezzo - accomplished an incredible feat, driving about 4,800 km from the east to west coast of the United States in 13 days, 15 hours and 19 minutes. With this they set a new environmental record in the unofficial Cannonball Run competition.
Unique transport
Their creation, called Sunstrider, is a lightweight design weighing only 254 kg. The car is assembled from a tubular frame, corrugated plastic and parts made on a 3D printer. Energy is provided by 8 solar panels and a self-created battery of 320 cells. The vehicle is equipped with three engines and three bicycle wheels.
Trials on the Road
The journey was filled with difficulties. In desert areas, the temperature inside the car reached 53°C, which forced the pilots to change every 30-45 minutes. The team also encountered a technical failure - a failed charge controller in Desert Center, California, which had to be replaced.
Achievement Significance
Danny Ezzo noted the importance of this event for the team, emphasizing that all the efforts and sacrifices paid off. Although the journey time significantly exceeds the record for conventional cars set in 2020 (25 hours), this is the first time a solar car has completed this route.
Financial side of the project
The Cannonball Sun project cost the team approximately $12,000, with 90% of this amount coming from the engineers’ personal funds . Despite restrictions such as a maximum speed of 88 km/h, the team successfully completed the entire journey. On the descent along the Angeles Crest towards the Pacific Ocean, the car reached a top speed of 82 km/h.
Future Prospects
Young engineers are considering ambitious new projects, including solar car travel through Alaska or along the Pan-American Highway . However, their career plans may influence these ideas: Jones received an offer from SpaceX, Samluc received an offer from Ford, and Ezzo is pursuing his studies at Michigan Technological University.
Glossary
- Cannonball Run - an unofficial automobile speed competition between New York and Los -Angeles
- Sunstrider is the name of a homemade solar car created by a team of engineers
- SpaceX is an American aerospace company founded by Elon Musk
- Ford - world famous American automobile manufacturer
- Angeles Crest - mountain pass in the Angeles National Forest, southern California
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Answers to questions
What achievements have young engineers made in the field of environmental transport?
What are the main characteristics of the Sunstrider car?
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What are the team's plans for the future after this achievement?
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American engineers made an incredible journey from New York to Los Angeles in a homemade solar car, setting a new Cannonball Run record and proving the potential of solar energy in transport.
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