The Global Challenge – A Green Car That Runs On Air?

Fuelled by the on-going debate over petrol prices, Deakin University has opted for a model that runs on air as part of its participation in the Ford Global Challenge to design a Model T for the 21st Century.

Deakin University is the only Australian university invited to participate in the Challenge that is part of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the fabled Model T, the car that changed the 20th Century.

The challenge set by Ford is to design an inexpensive, innovative and sustainable car.

While, because of the fierce competition with the four other universities involved, design details are a closely guarded secret, the Deakin engineering team has revealed the green concept vehicle will make use of a power source other than petroleum.

This will be compressed air.

Combined with the lightweight materials in which Deakin is a world leader, this option creates a far more environmentally friendly vehicle.

Professor Kate Smith-Miles, the head of Deakin’s School of Engineering and Information Technology said the revolutionary design would be good news for both the environment and the hip pocket of motorists.  

“With concerns about the environment and exorbitant petrol prices there is certainly an increasing demand for green cars,” said Professor Smith-Miles.

“Green technology and environmentally friendly cars are an essential part of the automotive industry’s future. Deakin’s design will harness renewable energy and aim to reduce the number of harmful greenhouse gas emissions produced by Australia’s vehicles,” she said.

Dr Bernard Rolfe, the team leader and senior lecturer with Deakin’s School of Engineering and Information Technology said Deakin’s proposal will use the latest research and technology to redefine the idea of the modern car.

“The team will be using progressive research at Deakin University’s Centre for Materials and Fibre Innovation (CMFI) to design the green vehicle,” Dr Rolfe said. 

Dr Rolfe also said that there were many infrastructure related advantages of using compressed air.

“Compressed air require less change to current infrastructure than other alternate sources,” he said.

“For example, hydrogen would require a large change to petrol stations and existing infrastructure to accommodate this new power source.”

The new model T design aims to be universally affordable and will retail for under US $7,000. 

The vehicle proposal will be delivered to Ford Global Technologies in September. The two design winners will be revealed during the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Model T on October 1. 

Read the transcript of the interview by Robyn Williams of Professor Peter Hodgson and John Duncan on ABC Radio National’s Science Show:

www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/stories/2008/2267280.htm

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