Students at NTU Created a Futuristic Car Design with Additive Manufacturing
Laura McQuarrie — March 23, 2015 — Autos
References: eurekalert.org & rapidreadytech
For a while now, it's been clear that sustainability and 3D printing are set to have a big impact in the automotive industry in the coming years, but this futuristic car design from the students at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) proves that this future may not be so far away.
The student concept car features a hard 3D-printed shell made from a lightweight plastic that protects a honeycomb patterned frame that lends strength without additional bulk. As far as what makes this 3D-printed vehicle run, the bespoke solar panels on the body of the car help to collect the sun's rays from every angle. This urban vehicle may be ultra small and have a low energy consumption, but it is able to boast top speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour.
The student concept car features a hard 3D-printed shell made from a lightweight plastic that protects a honeycomb patterned frame that lends strength without additional bulk. As far as what makes this 3D-printed vehicle run, the bespoke solar panels on the body of the car help to collect the sun's rays from every angle. This urban vehicle may be ultra small and have a low energy consumption, but it is able to boast top speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour.
Trend Themes
1. Sustainable Vehicle Designs - Innovative car designs that are made using 3D printing technology and sustainable materials will be the future of the automotive industry.
2. Additive Manufacturing in Automotive Industry - The use of additive manufacturing in the automotive industry will lead to the creation of environmentally-friendly cars, with a longer lifespan and excellent performance.
3. Solar-powered Vehicles - Solar-powered cars are a rapidly growing trend, with great potential to disrupt the car manufacturing industry through innovations that improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive Industry - The automotive industry can leverage 3D printing technology, disruptive design, and solar-powered concepts to create more sustainable and energy-efficient vehicles.
2. Renewable Energy Industry - The renewable energy industry can benefit from solar-powered cars, which can serve as an alternative power source and reduce CO2 emissions.
3. Advanced Manufacturing Industry - The advanced manufacturing industry can benefit from additive manufacturing techniques to create innovative and eco-friendly car designs, which can help to reduce costs and improve production processes.
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