Soon to be racing across the Australian outback is Xenith, a 3-foot-tall, solar-powered vehicle crafted by the Stanford Solar Car Project.
The Stanford Solar Car Project comprises 20 engineering students from Stanford University. Together they have built a solar-powered car that, according to the team leader Nathan Hall-Snyder, pushes the boundaries of aerodynamics. Featuring 26 glass solar panels, Xenith can also run off of its lithium batteris for 200 miles without needing sunlight. Driver of the Xenith Rachel Fenichel further states that the vehicle has an antireflective coating that's "the best in the world."
With all of this eco-friendliness, Xenith is sure to cost a pretty penny -- about $500,000, Hall-Snyder estimates. Nontheless, the Stanford Solar Car Project is receiving heavy backing by Stanford, not to mention car manufacturers like Volkswagen.
The official unveiling of Xenith will take place on Aug. 11.
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Trend Themes
1. Solar-powered Transportation - The development and implementation of vehicles that run on solar power, providing a greener transportation option with potential for disruption in the automotive industry.
2. Advanced Aerodynamics - The continued exploration of aerodynamic design to increase the efficiency and performance of vehicles, potentially disrupting the traditional automotive industry approach to vehicle design.
3. Antireflective Coating Technology - The advancement and application of antireflective coating technology in manufacturing, creating possible disruptive innovation opportunities in fields such as optics and solar energy.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive Industry - The automotive industry can further explore and invest in solar-powered vehicles, advanced aerodynamic designs, and antireflective coating technology to remain competitive and disruptive in the market.
2. Renewable Energy Industry - The renewable energy industry can benefit from advancements in solar panel and battery technology, potentially leading to further disruption and innovation in the field.
3. Optics Industry - The optics industry can investigate and expand on antireflective coating technology, potentially providing new disruptive solutions for lenses, displays, and other optical systems.