Shell Eco-Marathon
Shell Eco-marathon
What is the ShellEco-marathon?
A challenge for high school and college student teams from around the world (Europe, Asia, and the Americas) to design, build, and test energy efficient vehicles. Winning teams are those that can travel the farthest distance using the least amount of energy.
Last year there were 94 teams at the Asia event in Kuala Lumpur, 187 teams at the Europe event in Lausitz, Germany, and 68 teams at the Americas event in Houston, Texas. The Eco-Lancers of Livingston High School are the ONLY high school team from New Jersey. The only other team from New Jersey is a team from Steven’s Institute! The current American record is 2,564 MPG and the world record is 8,675 MPG.
Who are theLivingston High School Eco-Lancers
In the Fall of 2011, Mr. Novotny approached several Technology and Design for Science and Engineering students about the possibility of designing a vehicle for the 2013 Shell Eco-marathon. A handful of students volunteered to look at the competition and began researching the details for preparing a competitive team. Realizing the complexity of the competition, the team opted to develop a two year plan and began building a prototype of their vehicle in CAD and with wood. Details of their work can be found on their website at www.ecolancers.webs.com The following students comprised the Eco-Lancers: Herbert Bolimovsky, SeanHunter, Harrison Katz, John Metzger, and Justin Russo. Mr. Novotny, the Livingston High School Technology Department Supervisor serves as their coach/advisor. Additional help and support is provided by Dave Richards and Cory Yersak, both teachers in the Technology Department at Livingston High School.
Through grants from Best Buy Electronics and Lowes Hardware the school was able to purchase tools and machines needed to assist in the design, building, and testing of the Eco-Lancer vehicle. The addition of Autodesk Inventor Software and new Technology courses at the high school provide the team with the ability to create 3-D models of their designs before physically constructing them. The ability to produce CAD drawings of our vehicle has been a real time saver for the team. Examples of their drawings can be found on their web site. Addition materials have been donated from Honda, Inc., Whippany Bicycle, Summit Bicycle, and various teachers in the Technology Department.
The goal for the Eco-Lancers this year is to get an entry into the completion and establish a baseline level of data and knowledge for future teams. While it seems easy to “just connect up an engine to a bicycle wheel”, there are numerous design considerations that need to be dealt with –each one having multiple impacts on the overall design. While at the competition in Houston, the Eco-Lancers will be meeting with other teams to discuss the various types of technologies that impact efficiencies. The team anticipates detailing numerous ideas at the competition and developing them into their future designs. A presentation about the event will be made to students and the public later this year.
2012-2013 Teams
LHS fielded 2 teams for 2012-2013 in the prototype division. One vehicle was powered by diesel and the other by gasoline. The team developed a new chassis, drivetrain, and body for the gasoline vehicle and converted the old gasoline vehicle to diesel.
2013-2014 Team
The 2013-14 team decided to recenter their focus on only the gasoline powered prototype vehicle. The team consisted of Tal Lipshitz, James Levine, Julia Kollin, Ben Truskunov, Alex Sugarman, Jaimey Shaipey, and Gabby Ramano. The goal of the team for 2013-14 was to push the efficiency of the vehicle over 700 mpg. To do so, the following changes were made to the vehicle: the frame around the engine was replaced with chromemoly steel to increase rigidity and save weight, a fuel injection system replaced the stock carburetor, and a two speed- 14% overdrive rear axle was added.
The team added new sponsorship from TransOptions, Inc. (a transportation-oriented non-profit, that delivers programs and services that improve mobility, the environment and overall quality of life in northwestern New Jersey). Additional sponsors included: Livingston PBA, Northfield Collision, Honda Engines, Head of the Hunt, The Foam People, Select Services, Shorai, Tektro, Kohler Engines, Pro WheelBuilder.com, Rutgers Formula Racing, Herman's Auto Parts, The Knotts Co., Hilltop Bicycles, Action Drives, Inc., 80/20 Inc., Whippany Cycle, Vail Industrial Supply, Louis Gragiulo Inc., and Regal Drapes.
The team competed at the Shell Eco-marathon Americas competition in Houston Texas from April 24-26, 2014. The team was the only team to compete from New Jersey! Well-prepared, the Ecolancers were able to make several runs and develop solid experience that will be of value to future teams. The team achieved a best run of 373 mpg! More important than that number, the team delved into the factors that impeded our quest for 700 mpg. It turned out that fuel injection requires a LOT of expertise. Weight IS a big factor - we need to put the vehicle on a diet! The two-speed rear axle required to much force to drive the internal gears (it now hangs in the lab as a reminder of good ideas having unintended bad consequences).
While the team was finishing up their vehicle, NJN came in to tape the team for an upcoming episode of NJN Classroom Close-up. Photos of the taping can be seen at: 2014 CCU EcoLancers