Tech's "Eco-Marathon" Team

Hopefully, some of you have already read about this in the latest alumni magazine, but as of last year Tech is now competing in the "Shell Eco-Marathon." The idea is to design, build, and compete with a fuel-efficient vehicle to see who can achieve the highest gas mileage. We did this and fairly short notice last year and with limited funds and still managed to get 430 miles per gallon of mid-grade (89) gasoline. This year we hope to dramatically improve on that and go from 12th to the top 5 or so. To do this, however, we do need sponsors and I thought that a great place to look would be in a group of the most Tech-centric people I can find :D

If nothing else, I figured it couldn't hurt to spread the word about the competition and the fact that Tech has entered a team. Hopefully, the pdf is attached and you can view our brochure and let me know what you think (or there is some contact info on the pamphlet).

Also, since I know people will ask...LSU did have a team there last year as well, but they never finished a legal run(running off the track a few times), so they forfeited.

Oh, and there was a story on the shell site about us as well http://www.shell.com/home/content/us...ch_041208.html

Let me know if you have questions. Thanks :icon_wink:

The group of 5 students from last year did a great job, and there is a ton of excitement growing among other students for next year. There are already students getting ready for next year.

Tech left quite an impression on Shell, the media, and other schools at the competition. We placed 12th place overall (in our first year) beating out many major Universities throughout North and South America. Shell has personally asked our team to consider building an urban concept vehicle for next years competion. Part of the reason for this is because of how sharp our vehicle looked. The Tech team focused on not only obtaining high fuel efficiency, but also putting together a vehicle that was appealing to the eyes. We are planning to have 2 vehicles next year (the modified Blue Diamond, and a new Urban car), but will have to raise significantly more money. I have to note that without the financial support of a few alumni last year, we would not have been able to even compete. Let us know if you or one of your companies would be interested in being involved. If anyone has questions, feel free to contact me htims@latech.edu.

Heath Tims - Faculty Advisor

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Originally Posted by bulldogengr

The group of 5 students from last year did a great job, and there is a ton of excitement growing among other students for next year. There are already students getting ready for next year.

Tech left quite an impression on Shell, the media, and other schools at the competition. We placed 12th place overall (in our first year) beating out many major Universities throughout North and South America. Shell has personally asked our team to consider building an urban concept vehicle for next years competion. Part of the reason for this is because of how sharp our vehicle looked. The Tech team focused on not only obtaining high fuel efficiency, but also putting together a vehicle that was appealing to the eyes. We are planning to have 2 vehicles next year (the modified Blue Diamond, and a new Urban car), but will have to raise significantly more money. I have to note that without the financial support of a few alumni last year, we would not have been able to even compete. Let us know if you or one of your companies would be interested in being involved. If anyone has questions, feel free to contact me htims@latech.edu.

Heath Tims - Faculty Advisor

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I hope we are in a position to help next year!!!

B. Vogt


www.techteamshop.com

Hopefully you guys will not have to use E10. ;)

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Originally Posted by bulldogengr

The group of 5 students from last year did a great job, and there is a ton of excitement growing among other students for next year. There are already students getting ready for next year.

Tech left quite an impression on Shell, the media, and other schools at the competition. We placed 12th place overall (in our first year) beating out many major Universities throughout North and South America. Shell has personally asked our team to consider building an urban concept vehicle for next years competion. Part of the reason for this is because of how sharp our vehicle looked. The Tech team focused on not only obtaining high fuel efficiency, but also putting together a vehicle that was appealing to the eyes. We are planning to have 2 vehicles next year (the modified Blue Diamond, and a new Urban car), but will have to raise significantly more money. I have to note that without the financial support of a few alumni last year, we would not have been able to even compete. Let us know if you or one of your companies would be interested in being involved. If anyone has questions, feel free to contact me htims@latech.edu.

Heath Tims - Faculty Advisor

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Thanks, Dr. Tims.

If anyone would like to contribute, or knows someone who might like to get involved it would be greatly appreciated, if you could contact Dr. Tims, myself (by PM), or another number listed on the brochure.

Thanks,
-Matt M.

I noticed the front wheels are basically bicycle wheels. Have you tried using a more aerodynamic wheel, there are plenty all the way to a complete disc. I am not sure how they would effect the steering, I have never used 2 side by side, just 1 in the back. But they make a considerible difference on a time trial bike. I am not sure at what speed you are testing, and below 20 mph they may not make a significant difference. If they work, you might could sollict a wheel manufacturere for support. Good Luck.

You making your parts out of carbon fiber?

Does it have to be an ICE or can you use a gas turbine engine?

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Originally Posted by bdawg

I noticed the front wheels are basically bicycle wheels. Have you tried using a more aerodynamic wheel, there are plenty all the way to a complete disc. I am not sure how they would effect the steering, I have never used 2 side by side, just 1 in the back. But they make a considerible difference on a time trial bike. I am not sure at what speed you are testing, and below 20 mph they may not make a significant difference. If they work, you might could sollict a wheel manufacturere for support. Good Luck.

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The rules of the competition are that the vehicle has to average 15mph during each run, but we would generally get up to 20-25mph on certain stretches of the course. We are looking into zipp wheels(sp?) but they weren't in our budget last year.

Guisslapp-the class that car was entered into was "internal combustion engines," but there are other categories. Also, we would love to use composite materials for the frame and body, but it simply wasn't in the budget last year, so we had thin-walled steel tubing and paneled the body in posterboard and vinyl, which worked suprisingly well. The car, complete with engine, wheels, body, and driver in full gear only weighed about 200lbs. If you know someone that has a connection so we can get discounted composites (like carbon-fiber), please let us know.

The alumni magezine is now online, if you want to read the write-up on our car and competition http://www.latechalumni.org/s/810/im...d4ceb742bd.pdf

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Originally Posted by TechME

If you know someone that has a connection so we can get discounted composites (like carbon-fiber), please let us know.

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It can't be that expensive to make your own, especially with creative use of uni-directional fiber mats.

I wanted to bring this thread back to light. The team from Tech is currently raising funds and working on the design for both vehicles. They have also done a good job of securing some funding, but they still have more to raise. If you would like to support the team, or if you think your company might be interested in donating, please contact me. Advertising space on the vehicle is also available. All donations are tax deductable, and dont forget that many companies will match donations from employees.

I'm going to see if our sales district that services Shell offshore might be interested,

These "acheivements" that we have with this and with the Engineering Department with the Concrete Canoe, the lumberjack Competition and others I may not be aware of SHOULD BE showcased AT the football games.

The football games are the perfect opportunity to instill pride in the masses to remind them of what a GREAT institution Louisiana Tech is. Its not only Alumni Pride but also recruiting our athletics AND our academics.

Thanks for checking on that Germ. Let me know if you need more info. Also, it would be nice to showcase some of our achievements in the COES at the games. I will mention this to the team.