EcoCAR

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Will an EcoCAR 2 competitor be the Steve Jobs of Electric Cars?

October 7, 2011 in EcoCAR News by ggguestuser | No comments

The untimely death of Steve Jobs this week inspired Jim Motavalli to write an article for PluginCars.com stressing the need for an electric vehicle counterpart to Apple’s founder.

“The EV world needs a Steve Jobs, who won’t rest until he’s created a vehicle that can jump-start a mass movement,” Motavalli wrote. “We need a game changer.”

Though the article stresses how far the American electric vehicle industry has to travel before equaling the impact Steve Jobs made with personal computers, Motavalli is hopeful – in part, because of EcoCAR. He applauds the competition and its sponsors, mentioning that General Motors hired 39 students out of EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge.

“Is one of those kids the next Steve Jobs?” Motavalli asks. We certainly hope so! Be sure to check out Jim’s article and stay tuned for more news from EcoCAR 2: Plugging in to the Future.

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A Look at the EcoCAR 2011 Outstanding Faculty Advisors

August 10, 2011 in EcoCAR News by ggguestuser | No comments

EcoCAR would like to congratulate Shawn Midlam-Mohler, The Ohio State University EcoCAR advisor and staff research engineer, and Marshall Molen, Mississippi State University EcoCAR advisor and professor of diversified technology, for recently winning awards honored by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

For more than a decade, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has honored an incoming and long-term faculty advisor within the DOE Advanced Vehicle Technology Competition (AVTC) program that best promotes the AVTC goals, objectives, and activities within their university. Advisors receive a $10,000 cash prize toward their AVTC program as well as special recognition from the NSF.

The NSF recognizes the pivotal role of the faculty advisors to a team’s success. These awards recognize advisors who have successfully incorporated the EcoCAR goals, objectives and activities into their undergraduate curriculum and the benefits students receive as a result of the EcoCAR program are of special importance.

Dr. Shawn Midlam-Mohler

Dr. Midlam-Mohler, winner of the Outstanding Incoming Faculty award, exemplified his dedication to the program by continuously supporting students’ work, while still challenging them to develop solutions independently.

“Dr. Midlam-Mohler has made a difference in my personal education through his encouragement, his contagious excitement about learning, and his challenge to his students to pursue academic rigor and excellence,” said OSU Co-Team Leader Beth Bezaire.

Dr. Midlam-Mohler is a former team captain and member of the OSU FutureTruck team. While a graduate student at OSU, he became a research scientist at the Center for Automotive Research, where the AVTC team is based. From there he began to learn from advisor Dr. Georgio Rizonni, helping with the ChallengeX team and later becoming co-advisor for the EcoCAR team.

Bezaire believes Dr. Midlam-Mohler has greatly contributed to EcoCAR having been involved in the competition in the past.

“He cares about building us up into the leaders and the next generation of engineers that we have the potential to be,” she said.

Aside from working with the EcoCAR team, he supports many research activities and oversees many of the engine-related experimental programs at OSU-CAR.

Dr. Marshall Molen

Dr. Molen, winner of the Outstanding Long Term Faculty Advisor award, played an essential role in securing funding and academic support for the MSU program, working with a number of constituents to enable a high quality learning environment and strong team.

“Dr. Molen’s constant vigilance in keeping the team head toward the goals that we set for ourselves and his attention to detail has allowed the MSU EcoCAR team to excel,” said EcoCAR participant Thomas Goddette, “These qualities have influenced me to do things right the first time and to take pride in my work.”

While MSU always had a strong emphasis on research, there remained few resources for automotive research and manufacturing, despite the building of the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS) in 2003. However, the following year MSU was accepted into the ChallengeX competition, led by Dr. Molen. This in turn helped to prepare the Center for similar projects.

Following this new use of the Center, the labs began to fill out with equipment, much at the request of the ChallengeX team, and helped bring MSU additional engineering research. MSU had previously enrolled engineering students with hopes of pursuing a career in areas such as aerospace, petroleum or manufacturing, but under the leadership of Dr. Molen, MSU became a frontrunner in AVTC and significantly gained the attention of incoming students.

EcoCAR is proud of the efforts of both Dr. Midlam-Mohler and Dr. Molen for providing their valuable leadership and guidance to EcoCAR students as they strive to learn, grow and prepare for their future careers.

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Louisville Boy Scouts check out EcoCAR

August 5, 2011 in Team Posts by ggguestuser | No comments

Just before Finals in June, Boy Scout Troop 5 of Louisville, MS came by the Mississippi State University CAVS facility to learn about the MSU EcoCAR. The team held a small session with the troop that had a turnout of thirty scouts plus a few adult leaders and parents. Some engineers helped explain different functionality aspects of the car while outreach team members gave them a better understanding of the competition and consumer acceptability standards.

The team illustrated the many different ways their EcoCAR could and would impact the scouts’ lives in the future. The troop was encouraged to keep up with MSU progress via the website and Facebook and was also strongly encouraged research more about new automotive technologies. Who knows, those boy scouts could end up being engineers in future EcoCAR competitions!

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UWAFT EcoCAR Showcased in Guelph, Ontario

August 5, 2011 in Team Posts by ggguestuser | No comments

Prior to Year Three Finals in June, Speedpro Imaging in Guelph, Ontario hosted the University of Waterloo Alternative Fuels Team (UWAFT) for its annual celebration event and barbeque.  This joint event with Speedpro was UWAFT’s last chance to showcase its EcoCAR to the community before shipping the vehicle to Milford, Michigan for Finals.

Speedpro Imaging generously provided free printing services for the team to complete the decal work on the team’s vehicle before shipping it to Michigan.  During the event, several government representatives visited the vehicle and had a chance to participate in a ride and drive, including Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), Liz Sandals and Mayor of the City of Guelph, Karen Farbridge.

The team had a great time in Guelph – hopefully they can make another stop there during EcoCAR 2!

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A Wisconsin Team Member looks back on 3 Years of Vehicle Design & Coolant Hose Music

August 4, 2011 in Team Posts by ggguestuser | No comments

By the University of Wisconsin’s Will O’Connor

I first learned about the UW Hybrid Vehicle Team and the EcoCAR program at the Engineering Bash hosted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an event that showcases engineering student organizations for incoming freshman. I was a complete novice but the leaders took me under their wings and taught me volumes about vehicle design.

Will in full design mode!

In my second year on the team I became mechanical team leader and had the responsibility of integrating all new components into the vehicle, including the two traction motors, both motor controllers, the turbocharged engine, a new transmission, and the high voltage battery. With the help of many students we were able to integrate everything just in the nick of time for Year Two Finals in 2010. Going into my junior year at Madison I picked up the responsibility of Assistant Team Leader. I still helped with the mechanical side of the team because working on the car is far more enjoyable than paperwork.

I have learned so much over the three years I have spent on the team that I wouldn’t be able to learn anywhere else. Making a design that is good both on paper and in real life is definitely the best thing I have learned from this experience. I think my favorite moment was when we discovered the musical ability of a coolant hose at 5 am when we were trying to get the engine started for the first time. It has been tons of fun being on the team and I’m looking forward to continuing to working with advanced vehicle technologies in the future.

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How Swagelok Helped Missouri S&T Out of a Jam

August 4, 2011 in Sponsor Post by ggguestuser | No comments

Missouri S&T EcoCAR Team

When the EcoCAR team from Missouri University of Science and Technology faced one of their biggest design challenges, they turned to Swagelok, a major developer of fluid system solutions that include products, assemblies, and services. The team needed to safely install a leak-free fuel line that could transport hydrogen fuel from the storage tanks to the fuel cell. The fuel line had to be durable, safe, and fit precisely with other hydrogen-related components. Swagelok St. Louis had the technology and the team needed to successfully instruct the installation of the required fuel line. Accompanying the challenge of installing the fuel lines, the students on the team were also faced with a steep learning curve.

Joe Dewes, Technical Services and Training Manager, instructs on tube bending.

Swagelok St. Louis identified the challenge the team was facing with installing the fuel lines and came up with the perfect solution. The company is known for their work with tubing and leak free fittings. Representatives of Swagelok St. Louis traveled to the team’s garage in Rolla, MO for an afternoon where they taught members of the team how to properly use their tools and components correctly to create a safe, secure fuel line for the vehicle. The representatives taught members of the team how to bend tubing correctly and perform leak and pressure testing. The S&T EcoCAR Team was able to learn professional instruction from Swagelok St. Louis quickly and proficiently.

Representatives of Swagelok St. Louis later remained in contact with the team and provided follow up services.  The Missouri S&T EcoCAR Team also determined the company was more cost efficient and knowledgeable than their competitors. With the help of Swagelok St. Louis the team successfully installed the leak-free hydrogen fuel line, and went on to win multiple awards at Year Three Finals, including 5th Place Overall!

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MSU team reaches the Gulf Coast with visit to North Bay Elementary

August 3, 2011 in Team Posts by ggguestuser | No comments

Just before Year Three Finals in June, the Mississippi State EcoCAR team made their way down to Biloxi, MS to bring the MSU EcoCAR message to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The team taught a classroom of 5th graders for 3 days about hybrid technology, the EcoCAR competition, and what role MSU’s team has played in the competition. The team was very well received, partially because of all the fun activities they brought along with them!

The MSU team used everyday items like balloons, jars, and exercise equipment to illustrate different issues car manufacturers deal with when creating the vehicles we use today. The students enjoyed the interesting teaching methods and they had many great questions each day of the education event.

The MSU Team's Vehicle at Year Three Finals

MSU won multiple awards at Year Three Finals, including 6th place overall for the competition. The team will be back this fall for EcoCAR 2!

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From Space to Cars: 5 Student Experiences from Embry Riddle’s EcoCAR Team

August 2, 2011 in Team Posts by ggguestuser | No comments

By Sean Carter

I started out as an Aerospace Engineering undergrad at the University of Michigan and after my 2008 graduation I was looking for any job opportunity with the space program. I found that the space program was declining in job opportunities, and I failed to find any employment, so I began my Masters in Mechanical Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  My first day back in school, I noticed a project called EcoCAR on campus and decided to check it out.

Sean at Year Three Finals

I had no idea what I was getting into, especially since I was new to EcoCAR and the first year of the competition had already passed. There were a lot of late nights catching up on information, especially as I got involved with the control system.  Throughout the EcoCAR project, I learned a lot about automotive technology and control system theories. Eventually, I became the Team Lead of the EcoEagles at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  From the late night laughs to the testing sessions, the EcoCAR project has given me lasting friendships, connections to the automotive industry, and memorable experiences that can never be replaced.  I am walking away from this project employed by General Motors and knowing that I helped leave behind something that could be improved upon by future students at my Alma Mater.

 

By Brandon Smith

I became involved with EcoCar through a friend that had just been recruited to the EcoCar IDEA team. The IDEA team had just finished the migration from senior design project to faculty-sponsored club, and needed engineering students after losing the senior design manpower. My friend and roommate at the time, Michael, was able to convince me to come to a group meeting. Two years later, I am still here.

Sean and Brandon at work on their vehicle

In the beginning I had nothing to do with the vehicle, I was a software guy and we had our own lab for IDEA. Starting 6 months before Year Three Finals, the faculty advisor pushed to have IDEA meetings in the EcoCar garage to improve team cohesion. The initiative worked, and the garage quickly became my new home (sometimes literally). My most hectic, and rewarding, experiences have been during the weeks leading up to a competition, event, or deliverable. Our team works fantastically on stress, and I love being busy. These times usually stimulate massive increases in vehicle functionality—nothing is more rewarding then implementing something and actually seeing it work on the vehicle. The most extreme example of this progress is our mode changes: we went from fully manual shifts, to state machine coding, to SIL testing, to successful mode shifts in just four days. Progress like that justifies the 3am nights and 16 hour days!

Prior to Finals, we established communication and protocols between the IDEA carputer and the SCU running our controls code. It is incredible to see a system that you designed (IDEA) and wrote finally being incorporated—and actually making an impact—in the role it was designed for!

 

By Collete A. Davis

My personal experience so far… where do I start? Well, I was brought onto the team officially pretty late in the game because of my really busy schedule this past semester. I was taking 19 credit hours of classes and trying to manage my racing career at the same time.

My position on the team is to help with the management of EcoCAR PR, coordinate promotional events, and help brand the EcoEagles in all forms of Media outlets and appearances. I have experience in this field from managing all of the PR and Media relations for my own racing career for years and at ColleteDavisRacing.com. I’m currently working along side Ryan Antisdel and Cassie Cameron. Along with being a part of the outreach group, my job is to also help solidify a new partnership to enhance promotional benefits between EcoCAR and my racing career. I am currently a student ambassador and racecar driver for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and believe by teaming up with EcoCAR we can not only promote an amazing project but also effectively spread the word to another target fan base about the EcoCAR competition, activities, and technologies.

The EcoEagles at Year Three Finals

 

By Michelle Rodio

My time with the ERAU EcoCAR team began this past year as I started my Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. My undergraduate background was in aerospace and although I was nervous to begin a graduate degree in another field of engineering, I knew that it was the best choice for my future.

I took a Clean Energy Systems course this last fall and fell in love with the many applications for alternative energy around the world. I quickly began trying to get funding from the university to create a biodiesel fuel.  Before I knew it, I was in the process of making the fuel and became the lead engineer for biofuel production and testing at ERAU.  The team welcomed me with open arms and truly made me feel like a valuable member of the team.  I am very grateful for everything that I have taken away from this year of working with the EcoCAR competition and only wish I could have become involved earlier.  I look forward to being involved in EcoCAR2!

 

By Ryan Antisdel

I was a latecomer to the EcoCAR program, starting in mid-January of Year 3. I had no idea that ERAU was participating in EcoCAR, not to mention that one of my fellow MBA classmates was the Outreach Coordinator. The learning process has not been easy with the loss of tacit knowledge transfer from my predecessor, but it has been a great experience overall.

I have had the opportunity to meet an entirely new group of students and professors who are all brilliant, along with the public and political figures at outreach events. I recently was selected to interview with BMW Manufacturing and they were very interested and impressed with my EcoCAR experiences. I personally believe this was what really helped me beat the competition to become an intern with their HR department for recruiting. As an avid automotive enthusiast I have always looked forward to the EcoCAR events that I have been able to participate in, whether with a small group of students or testing at the Daytona International Speedway. In the end I hope that I continue to help with the EcoCAR program into the future even if I am no longer directly working with ERAU.

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My First Year as an EcoCAR Organizer

July 29, 2011 in EcoCAR News, Sponsor Post by ggguestuser | No comments

With one year as an EcoCAR organizer under her belt, we sat down with Argonne‘s Dana Bubonovich to learn more about her transition from student to organizer.

Q: How did you get involved with EcoCAR as a student?

A: I joined about half-way through Year One of EcoCAR. One of my friends was on the Penn State EcoCAR team let me know they were looking for public relations and business students to join the program. Since I was a PR major and involved in the Public Relations Student Society of America, I agreed to help out, and recruited a few other students to join the Outreach team. The Penn State faculty advisor, Gary Neal, asked if I would come back for Year Two as the outreach coordinator/undergraduate research assistant – and the rest is history!

Q: What does your position at Argonne entail?

A: My official title is Communications and Logistics Coordinator for Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions. I assist in the behind-the-scenes logistics for the competition; everything from venue selection to signage. I also sit in on the outreach committee meetings and help develop all of the EcoCAR outreach deliverables. In addition to EcoCAR, I help coordinate the Clean Cities University Workforce Development Program, which consists of about 25 different Coalitions every academic semester.

Q: How did being an Outreach Coordinator prepare you for your position with Argonne?

A: Being involved in the program prior to joining Argonne’s team allowed me to learn about the program, how it is run, and the philosophy behind Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions. I was able to give insight into the outreach side of the program from a student perspective, which strengthened the outreach program. Although I don’t have an engineering degree, I learned about the various vehicle architectures and technical details of the program as a student, which helps me today.

Q: How was your first year as a competition organizer?

A: It was definitely an experience. As a student, I never realized how much the organizers do for the competition, especially from the logistics side. Like every job, you make some mistakes and you learn from them. I feel better prepared now that I have a year as an organizer under my belt.

Q: What was the most difficult part transitioning from student to organizer?

A: Just that – transitioning from a student to an organizer. As an organizer, you are in charge of the competition as a whole. You no longer have to manage one university team, but 16 of them.  You have to be very good at time management and multi-tasking. The position is very stressful at times, but I truly enjoy what I do.

Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, Dana! Best of luck in in your second year as an organizer and Year One of EcoCAR: Plugging in to the Future!

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Counting Down to Chevrolet’s 100-year Anniversary!

July 29, 2011 in Green Auto News, Sponsor Post by ggguestuser | No comments

General Motors has reason to celebrate! On November 3, Chevrolet, one of the most famous brands under GM, will commemorate its centennial. The important milestone for GM represents 100 years of automotive heritage in the United States and Chevrolet has certainly made impressive strides in the industry. Nowadays, Chevrolet is known for innovation with fuel efficiency, plug-in electric vehicles, and expressive design. To learn more about the centennial celebration, visit Chevy 100.

The EcoCAR 2 teams are incredibly excited to work with a new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, donated by General Motors, as the integration platform for their advanced vehicle design. You could even say that the teams’ work with the vehicle is their own way of celebrating the Chevrolet brand.

Cheers to you, Chevrolet!

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