Hydrogen power appears to be replacing solar energy for future national automobile competitions for engineering students at universities across the country. As a result, engineering students at an MU lab are making plans for a car powered by a hydrogen fuel cell.

Since 1993, MU has participated in the national Solar Challenge, in which sun-powered vehicles compete in a cross-country endurance contest. But the U.S. Department of Energy is apparently shifting financial support away from the event.

"Apparently the race is off," said Rick Whelove, faculty advisor for the MU team. "We had not received any word as to the next event. Since no new rules have been posted and nothing has been said, we assume that's what has happened. The event has just sort of died."

The MU solar car finished eighth last July in a 2,495-mile race from Austin, Texas to Calgary, Canada. Eighteen teams from universities around the country competed in the race, which usually takes place every two years. Usually after such events, the teams get together and compare notes.

"We consider rule adjustments and critique the event," Whelove said. "We just kept waiting and waiting, and there was no word from the American Solar Challenge promoters."

Because nothing has been forthcoming, many people believe future solar-powered contests are ended. At the same time, Whelove said, the energy department has shifted emphasis to encourage construction of energy-saving dwellings.

Paul Hirtz, assistant director of the University of Missouri-Rolla Student Design and Experiential Learning Center, said the solar-powered car competition might be off entirely or merely delayed for a few years.

"The Department of Energy has suggested we take a three-year pause on solar racing," Hirtz said. "And there has been a suggestion of making hydrogen cells a regular part of the event."

Hirtz believes someone might step in to assume sponsorship of the North American car competition.

"The race may take a slightly different focus," Hirtz said. "It may require the use of hydrogen as part of the energy storage system."

Whelove, a mechanical engineering instructor, said the MU team has decided to develop a hydrogen-power car, although the rules for a competition have yet to be announced.

"We've got a basic design," Whelove said. "We've got a good, strong organization supported by the college and the university, and we've got a number of excellent and brilliant students. We're just not sure what's going to happen."