Project: Build a solar car
Product used: Chainflex CF300

*University of Michigan is also the December Student Spotlight!

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Photos taken by
Stefano Paltera

Team Momentum, a group of 40 students from the University of Michigan (UM), finished in first place at the 2005 North American Solar Challenge. The Y.E.S. (Young Engineers Support) Program participants used Chainflex® continuous-flex cables provided by igus Inc. in their solar car, Momentum.

During the Challenge, the longest solar car competition in the world, the team had to travel 2,500 miles starting in the U.S. and ending in Canada. The students used Chainflex CF300 to connect the batteries to the motor because they needed cables as light as possible, but in a large enough gauge to minimize resistive power loss.

The team reported the 1AWG cables donated by igus ® Inc. were, “as light and thin as a 2AWG wire,” adding that CF300 was also “very flexible, and allowed us to bend them around corners and fit them into tight spaces.”

After the North American competition, the UM solar team started its next adventure half way across the globe in Australia. In September, the team used the same vehicle to compete in the World Solar Challenge, a race across the Australian Outback. After a number of obstacles, the team persevered and Momentum finished with impressive third place honors.