Volitan
Encyclopedia
The Volitan is a proposed design for a boat equipped with solar cell
panels, which uses both wind
and solar energy. The proposed design is light weight, with a stiff structure made of carbon fiber
and epoxy
resin and carbon foam core lamination. It also has an ultraviolet resistant coating
.
It is designed to be powered by a twin 220 HP/DC electric motor
, with two suspended wings to help maneuver the ship. In addition, a hydraulic/servo system located in the wings would activate the Volitan's performance sail system. If built, it's dimensions would be around 105'3 in (length), 24'8 in (height), 92'7 in (width with solar body) and 24'9 in (width at low body).
The design has been awarded first prize in the "The Best Nautical/Boat" and "The Best Transportation Vehicle of the Year" categories at the International Design Award, 2007.
Solar cell
A solar cell is a solid state electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect....
panels, which uses both wind
Wind
Wind is the flow of gases on a large scale. On Earth, wind consists of the bulk movement of air. In outer space, solar wind is the movement of gases or charged particles from the sun through space, while planetary wind is the outgassing of light chemical elements from a planet's atmosphere into space...
and solar energy. The proposed design is light weight, with a stiff structure made of carbon fiber
Carbon fiber
Carbon fiber, alternatively graphite fiber, carbon graphite or CF, is a material consisting of fibers about 5–10 μm in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together in crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber...
and epoxy
Epoxy
Epoxy, also known as polyepoxide, is a thermosetting polymer formed from reaction of an epoxide "resin" with polyamine "hardener". Epoxy has a wide range of applications, including fiber-reinforced plastic materials and general purpose adhesives....
resin and carbon foam core lamination. It also has an ultraviolet resistant coating
UV Coating
"UV coating" refers to surface treatments which are either cured by ultraviolet radiation, or protect the underlying material from its harmful effects.-Ultra-violet coating of paper:...
.
It is designed to be powered by a twin 220 HP/DC electric motor
Electric motor
An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.Most electric motors operate through the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors to generate force...
, with two suspended wings to help maneuver the ship. In addition, a hydraulic/servo system located in the wings would activate the Volitan's performance sail system. If built, it's dimensions would be around 105'3 in (length), 24'8 in (height), 92'7 in (width with solar body) and 24'9 in (width at low body).
The design has been awarded first prize in the "The Best Nautical/Boat" and "The Best Transportation Vehicle of the Year" categories at the International Design Award, 2007.