Faculty funds solar cell upgrade for SunShark.

The University of Queensland's solar car, SunShark, is set for a makeover following an $18,000 donation by the University's Faculty of Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture.

The contribution is earmarked for new, higher efficiency solar cells.

SunShark project manager Darren Bell said the vehicle's solar array would be upgraded for next year's Darwin to Adelaide World Solar Challenge. Team members have already begun to search for suitable cells.

'Hopefully, the new cells will help us go one step further in the World Solar Challenge in 1998,' he said.

Mr Bell said plans for the car's development included a high-efficiency wheel motor and a lighter top shell.

'It is a very large project and the amount of money involved in staying competitive is huge,' he said.

'However, the benefits for the University from having a solar racing team makes it important that it stays financially involved.'

The design of the lightweight carbon-fibre disc wheels developed by the SunShark team for the recent World Solar Rally in Japan would also be perfected.

In early August, the SunShark team won its class and placed fifth overall among 81 entries at the rally in Akita, some 600 km north of Tokyo, on the island of Honshu.

SunShark completed 35 laps of the purpose-built Ogata-Mura racetrack to win the stock class for solar cars with commercial grade lead-acid batteries and solar cells.

SunShark recorded an average speed of slightly over 47 km/h. Overall race winner was Japanese entry Nakayoshi Pal which completed 40 laps over the three-day, 25 hour race.

For further information contact: Darren Bell telephone (07) 3365 3771 or Professor Paul Greenfield, Executive Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture, telephone (07) 3365 3329.