In October, three members of the team (Rachel Wheeler, Blake Brown and John Stewart) along with staff advisor Matthew Doude and Faculty Advisor Dr. Molen Marshall took the EPA up on their invitation to attend the Petite Le Mans race just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. For three days, the team was present, along with the EcoCAR1 hybrid vehicle, to showcase their work, knowledge and perceptions of the future.  In addition, they were able to witness what is, arguably, the most technologically advanced use of alternative fuel-powered cars in the world. Every car entered in the race is required to use some sort of alternative fuel (e.g. isobutynol, ethanol, etc.) and some even harnessed the power of electricity for an added boost.

“It was a car person’s dream to attend this event. We were very excited to join the EPA in showcasing ‘green’ technology and what we’ve accomplished here at Mississippi State [University]. I think, for me at least, it was the highlight of the event to be granted access to the pit area where we were able to talk with the pit crews and engineers about what it is they’re doing with the cars.  The level of planning, technology and the overall teamwork that goes into these multi-million dollar cars is not only staggering to a car aficionado but it’s overwhelming to an aspiring engineer. I mean, these guys sit around in what down time they have and think up new ways to find a competitive edge. A great example is the centrifugal flywheel!” – John Stewart, Powertrain Team Leader

The centrifugal flywheel is an electric “booster” that stores up energy that the driver can use later for about an additional nine seconds worth of power. The idea has been around for a while and is currently used in locomotives on a much larger scale. However, it is just now making its way into the race and daily-driver market.

The team was well-received during the race weekend. Their expo was set up in Vendor Village alongside the EPA’s tent. People from all over the country go to Atlanta to witness one of the greatest races in this country. And some of the spectators knew who the MSU EcoCAR2 team was.

“We never had a bad question. Even when people were unfamiliar with what we do or the competition in general, once we started explaining to them what we’re doing and why, overall interest peaked. Everyone wanted to know ‘Is this what my hybrid is?’ or ‘Can I expect this level of performance in a hybrid if I buy one?’ Then there were the people that knew who we are and what we’re doing.  It was their first time up close and in person with our technology.  And they just ate it up. Even the skeptics were impressed with our 350 combined HP and 700 foot-pounds of torque! When we started explaining our platform for the EcoCAR2 Malibu, instantly, they were able to relate to what is now mainstream technology in cars such as the Chevy Volt .It made us feel good to see people respond so well to what we do.”  — Rachel Wheeler

There’s talk about joining the EPA again for next year’s race. But that’s not the only event the team attends. You can see them at events from the east coast to the west coast, from Detroit to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Be sure to check the team’s website for more information and future dates near you.

Stephen Wren, now a Nuclear Mechanical Engineer, was once an integral part of Mississippi State University’s Mechanical/Powertrain group on the EcoCAR 1 team. Stephen began his career in the Navy before attending Mississippi State as a Nuclear Machinist’s Mate in New York. He spent four years learning about and operating pressurized water reactors. After his time in the Navy, he decided to pursue his Mechanical Engineering degree at MSU.  When he first enrolled, he knew that he wanted to be involved with the EcoCAR team and it was part of his motivation in choosing to move to Starkville, MS.

“I knew early on in my college career that I wanted to be involved in design of environmentally-conscious thermal/energy systems,” he said.  After graduation and an extensive job search, Stephen decided to move to Virginia. “A few months after moving, I found a role at my current company, a utility/energy consulting company in Australia with an office in East Tennessee. By a stroke of luck…the offer and position were right in line with what I was hoping to find for a long-term career, and I accepted it and moved…again.”

When reflecting on how Stephen got to where he is today, he thinks of working with the MSU team and how the skills he developed with EcoCAR are invaluable. Stephen began by simply attending the weekly meetings and helping where he could, then, as he advanced in his curriculum, he began taking on more technical and challenging roles. During his time with the team, he was involved with designing and building the full scale driving simulator used in the EcoCAR Year 1 competition expo and machined the aluminum motor mounts used on the final vehicle shipped to Detroit and Washington D.C. Along with these tasks came the real-world, hands-on experience that is so vital to the EcoCAR competition.

“I learned a number of skills that I have used in my positions since graduation that I never would have encountered in the classroom,” Stephen said. “Time management was one of the most valuable things I learned on the EcoCAR team.”

The MSU EcoCAR 2 team is proud to have Stephen as an alum and look forward to seeing the great things he will continue to accomplish in the future.

The MSU EcoCAR 2 team recently made a safe return from Austin, TX! EcoCAR 2: Plugging into the Future held their annual Winter Workshop at the Freescale facilities and it was co-sponsored by dSPACE, Inc. During the trip, the team was able to review competition rules, present deliverables for competition points, and experience further training. Team members Jonathan Moore and George Hilliard gave a Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) presentation and Business Manager, Brooks Davis presented the judges with a Sponsorship Pitch. These were the first presentations in Year 2 with an opportunity for competition points.

EcoCAR Organizers made sure to provide welcoming events such as Welcome Night at Abel’s on the Lake and the Sponsor Social in the Courtyard Marriott. Thursday, January 24th, the Communications Managers were able to visit different middle schools in the area for outreach day and the MSU EcoCAR was on exhibit! The last night of the workshop consisted of an evening at local legend, Maggie Mae’s on the infamous 6^th street downtown.  These events were extremely helpful in allowing fellowship for competing teams to get to know each other and network with the organizers as well. Also, all of the teams were given the opportunity to visit and tour the Circuit of the Americas F-1 race track and venue on the last day.

The 2013 Winter Workshop was very successful and MSU is grateful for all EcoCAR Organizers and sponsors and all of their hard work. The team not only learned invaluable knowledge from the sessions but gained a great lifetime experience and potential life-long acquaintances.