Introduction
Since 2009, a group of teachers and students at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) have been developing a series of solar cars named SOPHIE in Hong Kong. Their aim is to develop a greener vehicle that can convert renewable solar energy into electricity more efficiently for use, thus helping to protect the earth. After years of research and improvement in SOPHIE’s overall performance, the SOPHIE team and their fourth-generation solar car, SOPHIE IV, participated in the "World Solar Challenge" in 2013 for the first time and was the third runner-up in the 3,000-kilometer race from Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia to Adelaide in South Australia. In 2015, SOPHIE IV became the first solar car to run on a highway in Hong Kong.
In addition to displaying the fourth-generation SOPHIE, through video programmes, physical parts and interactive exhibits, this exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of the applications of various technologies in solar cars and car body design. We hope that through this exhibition, young people will be inspired to devote themselves to research and to make a contribution to innovation and technology development in Hong Kong.
Date: 13.3 – 12.9.2018
Venue: 2/F Exhibition Hall, Hong Kong Science Museum
Admission Fee: No extra fee is required for museum visitors of Permanent Exhibition
Public Programme
Meet the SOPHIE Team
During the exhibition period, members from the SOPHIE team will share the challenges of the SOPHIE project with the public at the Hong Kong Science Museum.
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| 7.4.2018 (Sat) | 1:30pm – 2:00pm 3:30pm – 4:00pm 4:30pm – 5:00pm |
| 5.5.2018 (Sat) | 1:30pm – 2:00pm 3:30pm – 4:00pm 4:30pm – 5:00pm |
| 9.6.2018 (Sat) | 1:30pm – 2:00pm 3:30pm – 4:00pm 4:30pm – 5:00pm |
| 18.7.2018 (Wed) | 1:30pm – 2:00pm 3:30pm – 4:00pm 4:30pm – 5:00pm |
| 25.8.2018 (Sat) | 1:30pm – 2:00pm 3:30pm – 4:00pm 4:30pm – 5:00pm |
Venue: 2/F Exhibition Hall, Hong Kong Science Museum
Language: Cantonese
Free for museum visitors of Permanent Exhibition
Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum and the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education
SOPHIE IV at the finish line in Adelaide, Australia
SOPHIE IV driving on a road in Hong Kong
SOPHIE IV has a much smaller cross sectional area than typical passenger cars,
helping to reduce aerodynamic drag
On 11th March 2018, the latest generation of SOPHIE (SOPHIE VI) was driven
directly from IVE Tsing Yi Campus to Hong Kong Science Museum
SOPHIE VI was being driven to Hong Kong Science Museum
SOPHIE IV on display in the exhibition
Rolls two rollers to learn how rolling resistance affects energy efficiency in driving,
and how to tackle it in tyre design
Touch and feel a carbon-fibre cloth and a carbon fibre reinforced plastic board.
Understand the process of making a car body from carbon fibre
Compare car suspension parts made from aluminium alloy and magnesium
alloy, which one is lighter?
Compare different solar panels and learn how to enhance the solar-to-electricity
efficiency
