Some of the Brunel Solar Team students will be based at one of Paul Dijkstra Composites’ sheds over the next three months to build solar car Nuna 13. The team is building the solar car to compete in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, the world championship of solar car racing in Australia.
Today, Alderman Henk de Boer was present to open production of their new solar car, Nuna 13. “It’s great to see how our local businesses are directly involved in these challenging projects,” says Alderman de Boer. “This collaboration shows that Súdwest-Fryslân is a hub for craftsmanship and innovation. Laying the first piece of carbon for the car is a symbolic start, bringing together knowledge, collaboration and innovation.
Paul Dijkstra was involved in building Nuna 7 years ago, but this is the first time the car is being built at PDC. “This year, we are applying a new process to the construction of the solar car. We are receiving guidance on working with impregnated carbon and laminating,” says Thijmen Scheffel, structural engineer at the Brunel Solar Team. “Paul’s expertise in using lightweight materials, as applied in sailboats, is a good fit for what we need to make Nuna 13 as light and efficient as possible
Five of the eighteen team members are staying in Uitwellingerga during the production process. They work six days a week, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., building Nuna 13. Meanwhile, the other students in Delft are working on the technical components, such as the battery, motor, solar panel and steering system. “The start of production is a milestone we’ve been eagerly anticipating as a team,” says Elias Wawoe, team leader of the Brunel Solar Team. “After months of planning and designing, we’re bringing everything together to build Nuna 13. Although production is taking place in Uitwellingerga, we remain closely involved in Delft. Team members regularly travel to Uitwellingerga to help, while also continuing to develop certain components. They are working together towards the ultimate goal: securing the eighth world title.
