Geekology: Shell Hosts Houston Eco-Marathon
04-05-13, 11:45 AM
#1
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Geekology: Shell Hosts Houston Eco-Marathon
As if nerds from the world community didn't need some social interaction, teams from high schools and colleges all over the world are competing this weekend for prizes in several divisions of fuel-efficient automobiles.
"The Road to Houston" - this years' "Americas" competition will include entries in six fuel-based divisions, including gasoline, diesel as well as alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ethanol, biodiesel, and battery electric technologies. Other regional meets will take place in Europe and Asia this year to crown an overall champion.
Two major classes, "Prototype" and "Urban Concept" compete for prizes. Urban Concept vehicles are generally more rugged, more realistic approaches to fuel economy, while Prototypes tend to be pretty wild - even beautiful - designs. Both are exercises in "outside the box" thinking that stimulate young engineers to create workable vehicles, some of whose technologies may find their way into the cars you drive in the next ten years.
The object of the "marathon" is to go the farthest on the least fuel - lapping a 0.6 mi course on streets surrounding Discovery Green, one of Houston's downtown parks. Each entry must complete at least 10 consecutive laps - and average speeds are about 15 mph - although some entries are capable of over 35 mph. Conducted on city streets that are NOT noted for their billiard table smoothness, the course takes its toll of the poorly designed and ill constructed entries. If you think a bunch of kids can't engineer a properly fuel efficient car, last year's winner posted a 2,188 mpg record.
Two years ago I interviewed the team from Louisiana Tech at the Offshore Technology Conference. Not only were these college kids bright - that was expected, but they were incredibly enthusiastic and dedicated to their project as well - a very professional-looking entry fabricated from aluminum and carbon fiber they designed and built themselves.
Practice laps started this morning, with more formal runs slated for Saturday and the final competition for classes starting Sunday morning. If you're in Houston this weekend, drop by Discovery Green and take a look at the future.
"The Road to Houston" - this years' "Americas" competition will include entries in six fuel-based divisions, including gasoline, diesel as well as alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ethanol, biodiesel, and battery electric technologies. Other regional meets will take place in Europe and Asia this year to crown an overall champion.
Two major classes, "Prototype" and "Urban Concept" compete for prizes. Urban Concept vehicles are generally more rugged, more realistic approaches to fuel economy, while Prototypes tend to be pretty wild - even beautiful - designs. Both are exercises in "outside the box" thinking that stimulate young engineers to create workable vehicles, some of whose technologies may find their way into the cars you drive in the next ten years.
The object of the "marathon" is to go the farthest on the least fuel - lapping a 0.6 mi course on streets surrounding Discovery Green, one of Houston's downtown parks. Each entry must complete at least 10 consecutive laps - and average speeds are about 15 mph - although some entries are capable of over 35 mph. Conducted on city streets that are NOT noted for their billiard table smoothness, the course takes its toll of the poorly designed and ill constructed entries. If you think a bunch of kids can't engineer a properly fuel efficient car, last year's winner posted a 2,188 mpg record.
Two years ago I interviewed the team from Louisiana Tech at the Offshore Technology Conference. Not only were these college kids bright - that was expected, but they were incredibly enthusiastic and dedicated to their project as well - a very professional-looking entry fabricated from aluminum and carbon fiber they designed and built themselves.
Practice laps started this morning, with more formal runs slated for Saturday and the final competition for classes starting Sunday morning. If you're in Houston this weekend, drop by Discovery Green and take a look at the future.
04-13-13, 07:30 AM
#2
Out of Warranty
Thread Starter
And the winner is . . .
Laval University, Quebec, who fielded this lightweight super-streamlined single-seater that achieved a Houston record of 3,587 mpg. It beat last years winner, Mater Dei High School of Evansville, IN that came in second this year with its 2,308 mpg (equivalent) electric entry.
The winning Canadian car was working at a disadvantage because it was using an engine that was required for another fuel economy contest later this year. What powered this miracle of efficiency that makes your Prius look like an unrepentant gas guzzler? Believe it or not, the winning engine was not some high-tech powerplant, but a 3.5 hp Briggs & Stratton engine (you may have one of these on your small lawnmower).
Of course it had been tweaked a bit, but the University students may need to pull out all the stops for the next contest - they're nowhere near the world record of 8,914 mpg set in the European Shell Eco-Marathon in 2003.
Congratulations to all of the competitors, this annual meet brings together the young men and women who will be designing the car in your driveway in another ten or twenty years. We know they had a terrific time and learned a lot along the way. We look forward to see what they can do in the future.
Laval University, Quebec, who fielded this lightweight super-streamlined single-seater that achieved a Houston record of 3,587 mpg. It beat last years winner, Mater Dei High School of Evansville, IN that came in second this year with its 2,308 mpg (equivalent) electric entry.
The winning Canadian car was working at a disadvantage because it was using an engine that was required for another fuel economy contest later this year. What powered this miracle of efficiency that makes your Prius look like an unrepentant gas guzzler? Believe it or not, the winning engine was not some high-tech powerplant, but a 3.5 hp Briggs & Stratton engine (you may have one of these on your small lawnmower).
Of course it had been tweaked a bit, but the University students may need to pull out all the stops for the next contest - they're nowhere near the world record of 8,914 mpg set in the European Shell Eco-Marathon in 2003.Congratulations to all of the competitors, this annual meet brings together the young men and women who will be designing the car in your driveway in another ten or twenty years. We know they had a terrific time and learned a lot along the way. We look forward to see what they can do in the future.
Last edited by Lil4X; 04-13-13 at 07:34 AM.
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