Contact: Bob Ratliff
MSU students Andrew Queen of Baton Rouge, La., (r) and Scott Junkin of Hanceville, Ala., put the finishing touches on the cardboard sailboard.
Skimming over the water on a sailboard is a popular summer sport for many college students, but few take to the water with a board constructed mostly of paper.
That's exactly what a team of Mississippi State chemical engineering majors will do this weekend on Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Ga. They, along with teams from Miami (Ohio) and North Carolina State universities, the universities of Central Florida and Maine, and Georgia Institute of Technology, compete Saturday [April 6] in the 2002 Energy Challenge.
Seniors Scott Junkin of Hanceville, Ala., Andrew P. Queen of Baton Rouge, La., Ashley D. Slaton of Greenwood, Daniel H. Smith of Clarksdale, and Michael Wilemon of Aberdeen will carry MSU's banner in the event.
The United States Department of Energy, Atlanta, Ga.-based Institute of Paper Science and Technology, Wilmington, Del., chemical manufacturer Hercules Inc., and Windsense, an Atlanta windsurfing equipment supplier, are competition sponsors.
The annual challenge involves the design, construction and racing of a board made only of paper or wood fiber products. Each entering team receives a $2,000 "start up" grant for materials and other expenses.
In addition to putting their engineering training to the test, the students are cruising for a $15,000 first-place prize. The second-place team receives $10,000; third-place, $5,000.
"The purpose of the Energy Challenge is to increase interest in science and engineering," said faculty sponsor Clifford George, an MSU chemical engineering professor. "The competition also promotes awareness of energy efficiency, manufacturing design, recycling, waste minimization, package maximizing, and pulp and paper industrial processes."
George said the MSU entry is constructed of corrugated cardboard with a six-foot long piece of two-by-six inch plyboard in the middle to support the sail. The outer shell is cardboard treated with waterproofing chemicals.
"The project focuses on the structure and strength of cardboard," said team member Wilemon. "We calculate that the board will support up to about 300 pounds."
For Wilemon, pilot of the MSU entry, that's a very good calculation since he weighs about half of that amount.