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UCM students building solar vehicleAug 03, 2010 (The Sedalia Democrat - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- University of Central Missouri students enrolled in the Center for Alternative Fuels and Environmental Systems, or CAFES, have started building a solar-powered vehicle. The project will enable students to apply the principles of alternative energy to daily living and provide hands-on learning in developing electrical systems powered by alternative energy sources, according to a UCM news release. The project also will give the students an opportunity to compete with teams from other colleges taking part in solar vehicle races across the country. "This is an opportunity to educate and partner with the community about the benefits of sustainable energy while having fun," said Scott McKay, chairman of UCM's Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics. McKay, who also is CAFES director, said the solar team includes students from a variety of related disciplines across campus who will come together to produce a tangible example of what CAFES has to offer the students and the community. McKay estimated the cost to produce UCM's solar vehicle will be about $20,000, which is considerably less than other major universities that may spend more than $1 million to make the vehicles. McKay said the goal is to complete the prototype vehicle in time for the UCM homecoming Oct. 18 through 23. To see more of The Sedalia Democrat or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.sedaliademocrat.com. Copyright (c) 2010, The Sedalia Democrat, Sedalia, Mo. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544). |