Solar Electric Vehicle Body Design Inspired by the Peregrine Falcon for Aerodynamic Drag Reduction
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Abstract
This research presents the design of a solar-powered electric vehicle body using a biomimetic approach inspired by the shape of the Peregrine Falcon, a bird known for its streamlined form and high-speed flight. Three vehicle models were developed and analyzed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) at wind speeds of 80 and 120 kilometers per hour. The study found that Model 3, which was refined to be more streamlined and practically applicable, achieved a reduction in the aerodynamic drag coefficient from 0.164 to 0.139. However, the lift coefficient increased from 0.0276 to 0.095. The improved model effectively reduced airflow separation and vortex formation at the rear of the vehicle, resulting in better aerodynamic flow performance. Furthermore, the use of CFD simulations significantly reduced both the time and cost required for prototype development. The findings demonstrate that this nature-inspired design approach has strong potential for the development of low-drag solar electric vehicles and can be effectively applied to future clean energy vehicle design.
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Copyright belongs to Srinakharinwirot University Engineering Journal
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