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				TEAM University of Michiga...

				CAR Maize & Blue OCID pr00000012		EVENTS attended Sunrayce 93 World Solar Challenge...

				USERS project members Nazeeri, Furqan


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	Maize & Blue http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_%22Maize_%26_Blue%22_University_of_Michigan_Solar_Car Description The Maize & Blue team began work back in 1990, while the Sunrunner team was competing in Australia. They had three years to go from concept to a race-ready vehicle. In the Sunrayce 93 competition, Maize & Blue placed first. The team then traveled to Australia, where they competed in the World Solar Challenge. The team placed 11th in a pool of 54 entries.



	Related Content (30)

	Maize & Blue in Australia Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 11/20/1993 submitted 12/27/2003 12:30:36 PM This is a unique shot of Maize & Blue in Australia in that shortly after this picture, all of the decals were removed for the actual race.

	Maize & Blue Winning Sunrayce 93 Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 6/26/1993 submitted 1/4/2004 01:03:56 PM Maize & Blue crossing the finish line at the Minneapolis zoo on June 26, 1993. This is the ceremonial finish line (the timed finish was about 1 km earlier).

	Maize & Blue after winning Sunrayce 93 Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 6/26/1993 submitted 1/4/2004 01:11:20 PM This is a nice shot of Deanna Winton in Maize & Blue immediately after winning Sunrayce 93.

	Maize & Blue after Sunrayce 93 with some of the team Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 7/21/1993 submitted 1/4/2004 01:13:44 PM Here is a shot of Maize & Blue with a few of the team members. This shot is back on the University of Michigan's Engineering campus. Note the trophy for winning Sunrayce 93.

	Full scale wind tunnel testing of Maize & Blue Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 7/15/1993 submitted 1/4/2004 01:08:40 PM In order to verify the computer models, we did full scale wind tunnel testing of Maize & Blue at Lockheed's facility in Georgia. The primary useful feedback from the testing was in regard to the design and usefulness of the wheel opening covers which were subsequently redesigned. Of course, it was also useful to have actual drag data for use in our race strategy similator.

	Maize & Blue Testing Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 4/17/1993 submitted 1/17/2004 07:19:50 AM This is a shot of Maize & Blue testing at Michigan International Speedway prior to Sunrayce 93.

	Testing Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 5/17/1993 submitted 1/17/2004 07:29:39 AM Deanna in Maize & Blue for more testing at Michigan International Speedway. Note the fastening of the array to the body with 1/4-turn fasteners.

	Body Panel Being Painted Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 12/17/1992 submitted 1/17/2004 07:38:47 AM Maize & Blue's main body panel being prepared for painting at BASF's facility in Detroit.

	1/4-Scale Model Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 6/17/1992 submitted 1/17/2004 07:35:58 AM An NC-milled 1/4-scale model of Maize & Blue being tested in U-M's 5'x7' wind tunnel. Note the smoke flow visualization.

	Body Mold Fabrication Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 8/17/1992 submitted 1/17/2004 07:33:32 AM A shot of some team members finishing a wet layup of Maize & Blue's array mold. An interesting story about this was that we had planned to NC-mill the molds directly using a high-temperature material (REN board). Unfortunately, after we had milled several molds, we discovered that the material was defective (i.e. unstable at high temperatures). So we then had to do wet layups to cast a "male" and then do that again to cast a "female" mold. Moral of the story: make sure your materials are what you ordered!

	Maize & Blue Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 3/17/1993 submitted 1/17/2004 07:27:06 AM Maize & Blue at the official unveiling of the vehicle along with our four drivers: Deanna, Kevin, Betsy and Andris (front to back).

	Maize & Blue Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 7/17/1993 submitted 1/17/2004 07:28:11 AM Maize & Blue with some of the team after winning Sunrayce 93. Photo is taken in front of the EECS building on U-M's North Campus.

	Maize & Blue Before WSC Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 7/18/1993 submitted 1/18/2004 05:25:22 AM A shot of Maize & Blue in "australian logos" in Ann Arbor before shipping off to Australia. Note how in the picture, Maize & Blue is equipped with 20" wheels instead of the "normal" 17" wheels. We had retrofitted these onto the car in anticipation of rough road surfaces in the Outback. We also did full-scale wind tunnel testing at Lockheed's facilities in Georgia to validate that the extra height didn't increase vehicle drag. As it turned out, we never needed to use these larger wheels (which had higher rolling resistance) as the custom Michelin tires performed very well in the World Solar Challenge.

	Early Artist's Rendering of Maize & Blue Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 8/18/1991 submitted 1/18/2004 05:07:41 AM An artist from 3M did this early rendition of Maize & Blue. My biggest recollection of this drawing is that, at the time, we were very scared that the competition would get ahold of it...as if that would have mattered!

	Deanna Winton in Maize & Blue Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 6/26/1993 submitted 1/18/2004 05:44:57 AM A nice black and white shot of Deanna in Maize & Blue immediately after winning Sunrayce 93. Note the bouquet of "sun flowers" instead of roses typical in Indy races.

	Drivers of Maize & Blue Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 4/18/1993 submitted 1/18/2004 05:12:43 AM A rare photo of the drivers of Maize & Blue at the unveiling of the car that is signed by each driver. Note that Deanna and Andris (front) were the primary drivers and were the only drivers to drive during the actual races.

	Maize & Blue 1/4-Scale Model Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 6/18/1992 submitted 1/18/2004 05:17:53 AM After we completed the wind tunnel testing with the NC-milled final 1/4-scale model of Maize & Blue, we painted on some logos and took some publicity shots, of which this is one.

	Maize & Blue Before Sunrayce Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 5/18/1993 submitted 1/18/2004 05:34:58 AM A shot of Maize & Blue testing at Michigan International Speedway prior to Sunrayce 93. Note that M&B is missing the trailing edge which was probably the last significant part of the car to be built. The trailing edge housed the tail lamps as well as the CCD rear vision system.

	Maize & Blue Test Chassis Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 11/18/1991 submitted 1/18/2004 05:20:42 AM This is another shot of the Maize & Blue test chassis. For cost and simplicity's sake, we had made the test chassis frame from steel rather than aluminum. Also, you'll see the plywood battery box in this photo. The battery box proved to be one of the most difficult pieces of the car to engineer. Originally designed using carbon fiber, we ultimately opted for welded aluminum plates.

	Early Photo of Maize & Blue Team Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 3/18/1991 submitted 1/18/2004 05:04:14 AM Here is an early photo of the 1993 University of Michigan Solar Car Team with faculty advisor Dr. Bruce Karnopp.

	Maize & Blue Team Logo Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 6/18/1993 submitted 1/18/2004 05:43:02 AM It was probably a waste of money and time, but early on in the project, we had some team members on who were Art/Design students who we commissioned to design a team logo. We ended up choosing the fast moving sun and then went on to emblazon it all over everything. It definitely gave us a sense of identity and probably the biggest thing was that it helped us distinguish ourselves from the previous team (national champion 1990 team). I suppose it also added to the professionalism of the team (as it was on EVERYTHING from T-shirts, to business cards, letter head, banners (shown here), trucks, you name it). Interstingly, it wasn't on the car.

	Maize & Blue Test Chassis Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 11/18/1991 submitted 1/18/2004 05:16:17 AM In late 1991, we wanted to test out the concept of putting the driver in front of the front wheels, which served to improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle. To test this we built the "test chassis" and this is a photo of Jeff Reece driving the contraption on a test track. This test chassis was instrumental in our success, not from the simple fact of validating the design concept, but in allowing us to gain experience at the component level of many designs. We avoided a lot of "novice mistakes" in the final vehicle as a result of this. My favorite mistake on the test chassis was a misalignment of the drive train and suspension which caused the rear end of the vehicle to "buck in the air" whenever the driver pressed the accelerator. It was one of those things that always got a laugh during the actual race when we saw a competitor's car "buck" off the starting line. Moral of the story: you can never test too much.

	Funraising For Maize & Blue Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 1/18/1991 submitted 1/18/2004 05:56:49 AM In 1991 we launched the "Buy A Cell" campaign with an 8.5x14-inch, tri-fold brochure designed by our Art/Design team members. We were "selling" cells for $100 each. We had gotten the brochures printed up for pretty close to free, and I think we netted something like $10-15K from the effort. Overall, it was not a particularly good return on time. The method of distribution back in the early 90's was limited to mailings and the hit rate just wasn't good enough. I think a better strategy today would be to create a brochure as a PDF and distribute via email to alumni. With almost zero marginal cost, a program like that could make a lot of sense.

	Weather Forecasting in Sunrayce 93 (by Jeff Zoltowski) Article by Furqan Nazeeri created 6/20/1993 submitted 1/18/2004 07:56:32 AM This paper recounts Michigan's use of weather forecasting as a competitive weapon in Sunrayce '93. Jeff was one of 3 weather forecasters on the team and their collective ability to forecast weather was instrumental in Michigan's victory. An excellent read!

	Weather Forecasting for Maize & Blue (by Joe Bartlo) Article by Furqan Nazeeri created 6/26/1993 submitted 1/18/2004 08:59:15 AM This is a paper written by Joseph Bartlo about Maize & Blue's use of weather in its race strategy in Sunrayce 93 and the World Solar Challenge '93.

	Maize & Blue Wikipedia Article Article by Furqan Nazeeri created 1/27/2007 submitted 1/27/2007 07:57:03 PM The 1993 Maize & Blue solar car was built by the University of Michigan Solar Car Team during the period from 1990 to 1993.

	Maize & Blue in the Museum Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 9/7/1999 submitted 2/7/2007 07:25:28 PM Maize & Blue on permanent display at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. It's part of the "Transportation Zone" exhibit.

	Early Quarter Scale Model of Maize & Blue Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 2/7/1991 submitted 2/7/2007 07:38:25 PM This is an early quarter scale wind tunnel model of Maize & Blue. There were at least 4 preliminary designs that were tested in Michigan's 5' x 7' wind tunnel including this one. Note that the design is testing a 3-wheeled configuration with one wheel in front. Separately we built a full-scale test buck to evaluate the handling and performance of this configuration and based upon those tests, the design was ultimately abandoned in favor of a 4-wheeled design. You can see the final design of M&B in this model, however, because the final design had four wheels with the front two wheels in the side pods which created the challenge of having the front wheels nearly behind the driver (a handling challenge of its own!).

	Maize & Blue CATIA Rendering Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 2/7/1992 submitted 2/7/2007 07:34:03 PM This is a CATIA rendering of M&B's chassis. Almost all of the parts of the car were designed using CATIA. For example, in this shot, you can see the brackets used to attach the body to the chassis as well as the wheels, suspension, motor, batteries and seat.

	CATIA Model of Maize & Blue Body Photo by Furqan Nazeeri created 2/7/1992 submitted 2/7/2007 07:31:45 PM Maize & Blue was modeled completly in CATIA, which was a novel thing to do for solar car teams back in the early '90s. This is a rendering of M&B's final body shape.