Eco Factor: Researchers to cross Antarctica in Bio-Inspired Ice Vehicles to see the impact of global climate change.
Miles and miles of snow and ice, volcanoes erupting from a frozen landscape and an arid land surrounded by three oceans, Antarctica the continent of contradiction is indeed no cakewalk to traverse. But, the Moon-Regan Transantarctic Expedition team is enthusiastic and is gearing up to travel 3,600 miles across Antarctica, this winter. The team of 11 researchers is counting on their Lotus-designed, prop-driven, biofuel-burning ice-riders to complete their 40-days jaunt in the grueling conditions successfully.
The Moon-Regan Transantarctic Expedition is an attempt to examine the impact of global climate change on Antarctica. The Bio-Inspired Ice Vehicle is powered by an E85-burning turbo’s four-cylinder Rotax 914 engine, which pumps out 100 horsepower and 106 pound feet of torque. Weighing 1,500 pound, the green vehicle drives a three-blade prop with variable pitch. It runs atop three skis that employ an independent suspension system. There is only room for one in the BIV, so I assume that the 11 researchers making the trips will take turns driving it.
Via: AutoBlogGreen
