Japan enters the World Solar Challenge

Japan’s Kogakuin University will bring its A game to the World Solar Challenge, the world’s biggest solar car race, in Australia from October 6-13—but not without a big assist from several companies with a track record in lightweight materials and design. Two Teijin Group companies, Toho Tenax Co. Ltd. and GH Craft Ltd., helped develop a car made with carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). The Teijin Group supplied the ultra-lightweight fabric for the car body, made with Tenax carbon fiber. GH Craft helped with the concept design stage and development of the solar car’s all-carbon composite body; the company engaged in all stages of the composite structure fabrication. The grueling Australian race, more than 1,800 miles from Darwin to Adelaide, tests the energy savvy of participants. Solar cars are allowed a nominal 5kW hours of stored energy; all other energy must come from the sun or be recovered from the vehicle’s kinetic energy. For more details, visit World Solar Challenge.