Pittsburgh-based PPG recently entered into a partnership with Solar Team Eindhoven, a student team from the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, to develop the Stella Terra, an off-road car powered by solar energy.
PPG will provide Solar Team Eindhoven with a $37,000 grant. The grant is part of the company’s commitment to invest $5 million in environmental sustainability education.
The company also will supply its PPG CORACHAR fire protection coating for the vehicle’s lithium (Li)-ion battery pack. The coating expands when exposed to high heat or fire to provide an insulating layer that protects from thermal damage.
The coating increases battery performance, improves light-weighting, and supports passenger and first-responder safety in case of a fire.
“A risk of Li-ion batteries is that they can experience thermal runaway,” Wisse Bos, Solar Team Eindhoven team manager, said. “While the probability of this failure occurring is rather slim, we decided to partner with PPG to minimize the effects of such a severe accident. PPG’s cutting-edge innovations on battery coatings make it possible for Terra’s drivers and its surroundings to evacuate in a worst-case scenario by stalling the spread of a battery fire.”
The Stella Terra was designed to withstand the harsh conditions of off-roading.