University of Michigan in Cooperation with GM's PPO developed Continuum Solar Car Race

The search for alternative energy solutions is thethe carbon-fiber panels which will serve as the
priority of all automakers. But while other carmakersfinished body for the vehicle. Next destination for
are still on the initial research stage, General Motors'these parts is the Ann Arbor where the parts will be
Pre-Production Operations (PPO) Design Center Shopintegrated into the structure if their solar race car
located at the automaker's Technical Center iscompletes with chassis components crafted of
providing resources to develop engineering and designcarbon fiber and light-weight metals with the addition
solutions for Continuum, the University of Michigan'sof sophisticated electronics for power and control of
ninth-generation solar car team.the racer.
Rosanne Bachor, Executive Director, ManufacturingGeneral Motors has renewed its focus on energy
Engineering and alumna graduate from the Universitydiversity in order to meet the world's demand for
of Michigan Engineering School and member ofautomobiles and at the same time making sure that
Tauber Manufacturing Institute's Industry Advisoryno harm is done on the environment resulting from
Board said, "GM's leadership and PPO representedsuch development. The automaker has engineered
employees are pleased to assist in this effort andmany groundbreaking technologies such as the
partner with the University of Michigan. We are proudcreation of advanced cars like GM's E85 FlexFuel,
to support educational initiatives like this, and others,hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles and recently the
with our resources and technology."introduction of the Chevrolet Volt concept with
It should be noted that it was in early December thatE-Flex technology, an electrically driven propulsion
PPO shops began receiving donated high-densitysystem. All these are products of the relentless
foam panel blocks that would serve as foundation forefforts of GM's Tech Center employees.
the mold-making process. The math data from the"We are interested in these kinds of
Design Intent Engineering firm was used to make theprojects-projects that incorporate innovation,
cutter paths for the machines while operators begantechnology, and natural resources, and those that
milling top and bottom foam "plugs" in the sleekprotect our global environment with unique solutions.
shape of the car's body. Similarly, shapes of smallerGM is committed to energy diversity and finding
components were milled into high-temperaturealternative propulsion breakthrough," said Bachor.
resistant foam blocks. And of course since the saidFor this year, GM's Continuum team will face the best
project is in collaboration with General Motors, qualityteams in the world at the 2007 Panasonic World
auto parts and accessories were utilized.Solar Challenge, an 1800-mile trek through the
To complete the production implementation phase,Australian Outback. Top participants will come from
students and represented UAW employees will beginplaces as far as Turkey, Japan, Germany, Taiwan,
the coating the milled foam pieces with fiberglassAustralia, Iran, France, and Canada and some other
cloth and resins that when harden will form theteams from the US. To prepare for the upcoming fall
upper, lower, and flange molds.race season in Australia, the Continuum team will train
Once the molds are complete, the students will takeacross 4,000 miles of American highways spanning
them to an aerospace facility in Lansing to fabricatebetween Austin, Texas, and Winnipeg, Canada.