Mechanical Engineering Celebrates 14 Years of Solar Competitions

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Bill Springer and Solar Boat Team

When Bill Springer, associate professor of mechanical engineering, first introduced the University of Arkansas to Solar Splash, he had no idea how iconic this competition would become. After 14 years of designing and building fully functioning boats and competing in this intercollegiate solar/electrical boat competition against universities from all across the nation, the U of A students continue to thrive in this interdisciplinary collaboration between mechanical and electrical engineering.

The solar boat project is one of the senior-level creative projects within the department of mechanical engineering, and it teaches the students critical skills they will use throughout their engineering careers, such as product design, team-building, reliability, theory versus practice and manufacturing.

“Dr. Springer was instrumental in institutionalizing the solar boat activity into the senior capstone course of the ME department. This attracted many students to the team,” said Alan Mantooth, professor of electrical engineering. “He is beloved by the students involved and able to inspire them to perform solidly and keep their cool under the pressure of a fast-paced racing event.”

Under Springer’s leadership, the University of Arkansas team first competed in 2000, and the rookie team proved to be strong competitors by placing fourth in the competition. Through the next 14 years, the U of A team had multiple first place wins and even hosted the event at Lake Fayetteville from 2006-2010.

“I have had the pleasure of being involved with Solar Boat since 1999 and it has been an interesting tenure,” said Springer. “These students grew as engineers during the process and have gone on to many different career opportunities. I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with all of them and get to know them as more than just students.”

After 33 years of extraordinary service to the department of mechanical engineering and the university, Springer announced his retirement and the Solar Boat Team transitioned to its new adviser, David Albers. Springer and Albers worked together with this year’s team to ensure that Springer’s knowledge and expertise of this project would be passed along to future teams. 

“This project is important to mechanical engineering students because it requires that they design and build components that work together in a complex system,” said Albers. “They immediately see if their design does not work as expected and must find a solution or an alternative design.”

Albers feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Springer and learn about the many aspects of the project and competition. “When I started working with the solar boat project, I thought that a couple of months would be sufficient to get up to speed,” said Albers. “At the end of two semesters and participating in the competition, I still have plenty of questions and Dr. Springer still has plenty of good advice!”

“The department is grateful for Dr. Springer’s guidance and leadership in making Solar Boat one of ME’s leading creative projects,” said Larry Roe, associate department head. “His advice and knowledge will be missed.”

Approximately 30 students participated in the 2014 competition, held in Dayton, Ohio. The team placed 6th overall, 3rd in the qualifying event, and received the Outstanding Hull Design award.