Secretary Chu Visits Penn State

May 17, 2012 in EcoCAR 2 News, Team Posts by ggguestuser | No comments

The Penn State EcoCAR 2 team recently had the privilege of meeting with the head honcho of the headline sponsor U.S. Department of Energy: The U.S. Secretary of Energy, Dr. Steven Chu! Chu spoke at Penn State’s Eberly College of Science Commencement on May 5th, 2012, and took time to meet with the team afterwards. Team members showed Chu PSU’s vehicle from EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge, and then gave a detailed explanation of the architecture planned for the Chevy Malibu. This led to an in-depth discussion on the current ethanol economy in the U.S. (the team chose E85 as the liquid fuel for its vehicle), and projections for the cost of ethanol production in the future. Chu is very optimistic about ethanol and other types of renewable energy. However, he emphasized that more research into energy technology and vehicle efficiency is vital in order to push renewable energy into the mainstream and attain affordability. Chu also discussed methods of increasing MPG ratings on non-hybrid vehicles as a method to reducing oil dependence.

In addition to having great insights about the energy economy, Secretary Chu had a great grasp of the inner workings of hybrid vehicles, pointing out various aspects of the vehicle and talking with the engineers about how they chose parts. It felt to the team almost as if he was another engineer working with Penn State! After learning about the team architecture, he was particularly interested in the choice of a small Weber engine (typically used in snowmobiles) for the Malibu, calling it an innovative use of space.

Meeting with the Secretary of Energy on graduation day was the perfect capstone to a year of hard work. His support was incredibly encouraging, and set Penn State EcoCAR 2 on the right track for the last push until final competition in Los Angeles!

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The CSU VIT visits the Denver Auto Show

May 16, 2012 in EcoCAR 2 News, Team Posts by ggguestuser | No comments

The Colorado State University EcoCAR 2 Vehicle Innovation Team (CSU VIT) recently teamed up with other students from CSU’s Formula SAE team (FSAE) to present their work to the public at the 2012 Denver Auto Show.  The auto show, held at the Colorado Convention Center, showcases the newest model year domestic and imported vehicles as well as other emerging green technologies and aftermarket accessories.  The show was open to over 60,000 members of the public for five consecutive days, giving the team over 40 hours to discuss the future of automotive technology with thousands of show-goers. Included in the 39 automotive manufacturers present was Chevrolet, proudly displaying the new 2013 Malibu, giving the team a strong reference point for discussing CSU’s EcoCAR 2 design.

Ben Geller, the CSU VIT team lead, reflected on the event: “Presenting at the Denver Auto Show has been another great experience to add to the list of team successes. The show went above and beyond prior outreach efforts by allowing the team to engage thousands of members of the local public individually and personally, educating them on our efforts and discussing the future of automotive technology. The event was a perfect opportunity to compare our efforts with available state-of-the-art vehicles.  Its easy to see that our vehicle, and those being developed by other teams in the competition, will continue to push the envelope for engineering achievement. Our efforts will prove to be relevant not only at a collegiate level, but also on the global technology playing field.”

CSU VIT and FSAE team members got hyped up to speak one-on-one with interested members of the public, proudly discussing the work they have performed throughout Year One and plan for Years Two and Three. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about CSU’s hydrogen-fuel cell vehicle architecture and even experiment with the team’s regenerative braking kit. Beyond Eco-conscious consumers, the group engaged many younger students who are interested in pursuing an education in automotive engineering but were previously unsure as to what a college experience in the area might entail. A large number of attendees who approached the group were surprised at the innovation students have achieved and were proud to have such cutting-edge research performed in Colorado.

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Team Tuesdays: The Ohio State University

May 15, 2012 in EcoCAR 2 News, Team Posts, Video Blogs by ggguestuser | No comments

The Ohio State University EcoCAR 2 team is comprised of 35 undergraduate and graduate students who major in everything from photography to mechanical engineering. The team has three main segments: Engineering, Outreach and Business. Ohio State has been participating in Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions (AVTCs) for over 15 years, and recently finished in second place for Year Three of EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge.

For EcoCAR 2: Plugging In to the Future, OSU has chosen to design a Parallel-Series Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). The vehicle will combine both electricity and ethanol (E85) fuel to power three different operating modes. These operating modes include an all-electric mode and two modes that combine the E85 engine and the battery packs in both a series and parallel modes.

Check out the video below to learn more about the OSU team!

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CSULA at the Electric Vehicle Symposium

May 11, 2012 in EcoCAR 2 News, Team Posts by ggguestuser | No comments

The Cal State LA EcoCAR 2 team had a great time at the 26th Annual Electric Vehicle Symposium! If you enjoy electrical components as much as CSULA and the rest of our EcoCAR 2 competitors, EVS26 was right up your alley: It was a gadget-fest. Component manufacturers from all around the world were in attendance, and if you were looking for a specific rare earth magnet to put in your high powered electric vehicle motor, it was the place to be.

Multiple examples of electric vehicles were also represented. The classic GM EV1 was there; as well as some new interpretations of what electric and hybrid vehicles can be.

The team also enjoyed spending time with the wonderful Siemens folks, especially Jerry and Dave, who played hosts to the fully-wrapped 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, but also gave the team invaluable advice when it came to interacting with participants and “plugging them in” to EcoCAR 2 (pun fully intended).

Several EcoCAR 2 teams also gave research poster presentations at the conference including Colorado State, Virginia Tech and Rose-Hulman.

CSULA was glad to have the opportunity to see how the industry interacts and how new ideas are presented to the market. It was also interesting for the team to see how ideas evolve and take new shape. Team members hope that as part of EcoCAR 2 they too can evolve in knowledge and scope!

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Meet UTK Challenge X Alumnus Amanda Womac!

May 11, 2012 in EcoCAR 2 News, Team Posts by ggguestuser | No comments

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville has participated in several advanced vehicle technologies competitions, including Challenge X. Amanda Womac, the current executive director of the Hearing and Speech Foundation in Knoxville, was the outreach coordinator for the UT Challenge X Team.

As Outreach Coordinator, Womac was responsible for all media relations and speaking engagements for the team. This helped Womac to not only develop professional contacts, but sharpened her ability to speak publicly about technical issues.

Representative John J. Duncan Jr. (R-TN) is presented a souvenir shirt from University of Tennessee Challenge X team members Amanda Womac and Eric Koenn Tuesday, May 20, 2008 in Washington, DC.

Womac says that her experience in the competition has spilled over into her current position as adjunct faculty at Lincoln Memorial University. In addition to Womac’s current position she also teaches a public speaking course at LMU.

Her experience as outreach coordinator for the UT Challenge X Team was a great addition to her flourishing career as a science journalist.

When Womac was approached to become the outreach coordinator, she was already writing articles about engineering for her position in the Office of Engineering Communications, so it was a natural fit. In addition, she drove a bio-fueled Mercedes, which gave her a personal connection to alternative fuels.

The experience of Challenge X also helped strengthen Amanda’s technical writing skills, which in turn helped her obtain her current career.

Womac said, “I first started working at the Hearing and Speech Foundation as a technical writer for the Research and Development Program shortly after the competition ended. I became executive director a year later because of my organization and communication skills.”

The Challenge X experience is one that Womac will never forget. It not only introduced her to the world of alternative fuels, but gave her hope in the future of improved vehicle technology.

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HEVT Turns to Kollmorgen for Motor Help

May 9, 2012 in EcoCAR 2 News, Team Posts by ggguestuser | No comments

The Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team of Virginia Tech (HEVT) has been working closely with team sponsor Kollmorgen to develop a custom P2 motor for its Chevrolet Malibu, which the team will receive this upcoming summer. The motor is a contributing factor to the architecture of the team’s series-parallel hybrid vehicle announced last month.

A P2 motor is a generator motor that lies between the engine and the transmission of the car, a space typically occupied by a torque converter. The purpose of this motor is to generate power back into the battery pack while the engine is on. P2 motors are primarily used in charge-sustaining mode, wherein the engine turns on when the battery pack discharges to a certain percentage.

“The P2 motor isn’t meant to go into the space,” said mechanical subteam member Kieran Lee. “To work around this issue, we’ve been working with Kollmorgen to create a custom P2 motor that will be able to fit into that spot.”

Since the generator will be doing the job of the torque converter, the team has decided to undertake the task of separating the engine and the transmission to create space. The team will have to work on modifying the half-shafts that connect the transmission to the wheels of the car and the mounts that hold the engine and the transmission in place by bolting them to the subframe and frame rails.

In addition to finding space for installing the P2 motor, HEVT must keep other considerations in mind, including cooling the motor and coupling it to a custom input shaft with splines (ridges that connect the P2 motor to the engine and the transmission).

“This is an extremely ambitious, complicated task,” said Kieran. “However, Kollmorgen has been very helpful in aiding us and helping to create custom parts.” Although installing the P2 motor requires a lot of extra work, HEVT is sure the hard work will pay off. A big thanks to Kollmorgen for helping the team achieve this task!

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Team Tuesdays: Cal State LA

May 8, 2012 in EcoCAR 2 News, Team Posts, Video Blogs by ggguestuser | No comments

The EcoCAR2 team at Cal State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) is enthusiastically pressing ahead and evolving quickly. The EcoCAR 2 program is broken into four groups: mechanical, electrical, controls and business/outreach. Since it is its first year in the program, the team has had a lot to learn, but the challenges have proven inspiring.

The CSULA Team is designing a Parallel through the Road (PTTR) Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. This architecture is based on an internal combustion engine powering the front wheels while the rear wheels are driven by an electric motor. The vehicle will have a 2.4 liter E85 FlexFuel engine that can be powered by an alternative fuel containing up to 85% ethanol, which reduces pollution emissions and greenhouse gas generation. Powered by an A123 battery pack, a Magna E-Drive electric motor will drive the rear wheels. The vehicle can be completely powered by the engine or the electric motor allowing the driver to run in fully electric mode up to 40 miles. That adequately meets the daily driving needs of most US drivers. In the case of longer trips, the 2.4 L engine can provide power to propel the vehicle and recharge its batteries through the road. In everyday commuting, the battery pack can be recharged at home or in any other location equipped with a charging station. Other traditional hybrid technologies will also be implemented on the vehicle, including regenerative braking, electric air-conditioning and graphic user interface infotainment.

The CSULA business/outreach team has been reaching out to the community by giving presentations to young engineering students. Additionally, the team is busy building a social media presence, designing presentation materials and drafting documentation and proposals to ensure its engineers have the support they need.

The CSULA team is an energetic group of engineers and business students led by professional faculty and experienced advisers. The team looks forward to continuing work in designing the future and helping change the world.

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EcoCAR 2 Organizers and Students Gather at Society of Automotive Engineers 2012 World Congress

May 7, 2012 in EcoCAR 2 News, Sponsor Post by ggguestuser | No comments

By Patrick Walsh, Argonne National Laboratory

This past week in Detroit, Michigan, EcoCAR 2 organizers and students attended the Society of Automotive Engineers’ (SAE) 2012 World Congress at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. Automotive OEMs and suppliers, as well as related companies and organizations in the industry, were present to showcase products and present technical papers. There was a host of exciting advanced vehicle technology on display, including hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrids, EVs and alternative fueled vehicles. Additionally, exciting vehicle technology, such as anticipatory control systems and connected vehicle networks, were on display.

Brian Benoy, EcoCAR 2 Controls and Simulation Engineer, explaining EcoCAR 2 to conference attendees.

Kristen De La Rosa, Brian Benoy and myself, all organizers for EcoCAR 2 from Argonne National Laboratory, were present to showcase the EcoCAR 2 wrapped Malibu as well as answer questions about the competition at our trade show exhibit.

I was (genuinely!) excited to serve as session chair for the EcoCAR Development paper session within the 2012 World Congress technical paper program. The authors gave 20 minute slide presentations about their papers to a varied audience of EcoCAR 2 students, former competition students, competition sponsors and interested researchers. The session was a success, and I am already planning the session for the 2012 Powertrain Fuels and Lubricants conference this September in Malmo, Sweden, as well as 2013 SAE World Congress. We plan to have even more student papers to present!

The 2012 session included 8 technical papers from past and current students and organizers, which can be viewed here.

Kristen De La Rosa, Brian Benoy and Patrick Walsh serve as session organizers for the EcoCAR Development paper session. Pennsylvania State University graduate student Shawn Getty presents his paper on EcoCAR 1 Year 3 vehicle development.

The competition is very grateful to SAE for providing us this technical session at their conferences. It allows us to showcase the hard work done by teams in not only designing, building and refining advanced technology vehicles, but also in communicating those designs to the public through technical papers such as these. We look forward to seeing you out at the next conference!

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How Would UW’s Team Leader Defeat Chuck Norris?

May 4, 2012 in EcoCAR 2 News, Team Posts by ggguestuser | No comments

We encourage creativity at the Green Garage Blog and the University of Washington EcoCAR 2 team’s creative skills were on full display in this post: A great Q&A with Team Leader Trevor Fayer!

Please tell me a little about what you’re studying at UW and your role on the team.

I am a first year Masters student in Mechanical Engineering and Team Leader for the UWAVW EcoCAR 2 team.  With 40+ students from many different majors on the team, I try my best to foster an environment that lets everyone collaborate to meet our EcoCAR 2 goals. With topics ranging from finite element analysis of mounting components to teaching elementary school classes about advanced vehicle technologies, team members often lose sight of everything else that’s happening. It is my job to keep an eye on everything!

How did you hear about the EcoCAR 2 competition?

As I was building my senior design capstone project, I was introduced to the EcoCAR2 Request for Proposals (RFP) by the Chair of the ME department, Per Reinhall. The RFP required modeling several vehicles over a drive cycle. We used MATLAB and calculated fuel consumption from an energy standpoint in response. We also worked with University officials to write about the administrative sections, including an explanation of how our university would support and sustain our team if it was selected to participate. I wrote the RFP with Trevor Crain, and as a result we were selected as one of 16 schools out of almost 100 that applied form USA, Canada and Mexico.

Why did you choose to join the team?

I chose to join the team as soon as I saw the RFP.  EcoCAR2 sounded awesome!

What is your favorite aspect of the EcoCAR 2 competition?

I really like the advice industry experts give to our teams when we get stuck.  It feels like we are inventors but when we get stuck we can just call 1-800-help-me!

What are your post-graduation goals?

I want to colonize mars. I could be one of the engineers they choose for the first colonization trip.

How would you defeat Chuck Norris in a duel?

I would prevent him from being able to round-house kick by building a car so environmentally friendly that he doesn’t ever get out of it.  The car I build would also have a remote detonator that would blow him up.

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Meet an OSU EcoCAR 2 Student: Travis Trippel

May 2, 2012 in EcoCAR 2 News, Team Posts by ggguestuser | No comments

Check out Ohio State Outreach Coordinator Sarah Jadwin’s interview with Travis Trippel, one of the engineering team leaders on the OSU team!

Name and Title on the team: Travis Trippel, Engine Team Leader

Year in school: Senior undergraduate, will graduate in June 2012

Major: B.S. Mechanical Engineering

How did you get involved in the EcoCAR 2 competition? I became involved in EcoCAR 2 because I had been a member of the EcoCAR 1 team since the beginning of my sophomore year. I originally found EcoCAR at the Fall Student Involvement Fair where I had an interest in getting involved in one of the automotive project teams: I felt that EcoCAR sounded the most unique and interesting. I’ve always been interested in alternative energy and had wanted to try out something automotive, so it felt like the perfect fit.

What are your main responsibilities on the team? My main responsibility is leading a senior capstone design project that is focused on our engine. We are working on improving the efficiency of our engine to achieve better fuel economy while maintaining our low emissions. In addition, I help our overall team leader, Katherine Bovee, develop the vehicle simulator that we use to predict our vehicle’s performance with regards to fuel economy, acceleration, etc. and develop the controls strategy for the vehicle.

What is your favorite EcoCAR memory? My favorite memory of EcoCAR was the Year Three Competition. It was great to be able to showcase our final product, which we had worked to develop for three years. It was very encouraging to see the positive reactions from the judges, as well as executives from General Motors, the U.S. Department of Energy and other government workers throughout the vehicle competition in Milford, MI and the ride-and-drive event in Washington D.C.

In addition, meeting G.M. North America President Mark Reuss at the Washington D.C. Auto Show in January was a great experience. Being able to talk with him and show him our car was very fulfilling because he had a full appreciation for the vehicle development process. The process we follow in the competition is nearly identical to that which GM and other major automotive manufacturers follow. Being able to communicate our efforts and thoughts to someone of his stature was an amazing opportunity for the team and was even more meaningful to myself since I will be starting my professional career with General Motors in June!

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