University of Nottingham Racing Team (UoNRT) is the University of Nottingham's student-run electric vehicle team. The team comprises two sub teams, namely Formula Student and Solar Challenge. The University of Nottingham also used to compete in the e-bike area, with its Power Electronics Machines and Control Research Group (PEMC) from the Faculty of Engineering.[1][2] Working on new technologies they were awarded "best" EV at Formula Student UK 2021. The teams are currently developing a "Lighter, more efficient Formula Student car" and a 2-seater Solar Challenge car "designed around upcycled EV systems". The team relies on external sponsors to fund the development, manufacture and testing of the vehicle.[3]
Abbreviation | UoNRT |
---|---|
Formation | 2016 |
Purpose | Development of Electric Vehicles |
Headquarters | UoN Faculty of Engineering |
Website | https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/engineering/studentexperience/uon-racing-team/uon-racing-team.aspx |
Together, the two sub teams are made up of approximately 80 undergraduates, postgraduates, and faculty staff.[4]
Formula Student
editUoNRT re-launched its Formula Student project in 2016, following a break of five years.[5] The team designs a single-seat electric racing car to compete in the IMechE Formula Student UK competition against other teams with both electric and conventional combustion engine vehicles.[6][7]
The team aimed to design and manufacture the UK’s first all-wheel drive electric car.[8][9] The first entries in 2017, 2018 and 2019 did not participate in the competition’s dynamic events; the team placed 63rd,[10] 61st[11] and 59th[12] respectively in these years. In 2020, UoNRT switched to a two-wheel drive powertrain and placed 19th out of 66 teams at the virtual static competition.[13]
UoNRT returned to Silverstone in 2021 with a new 2WD car and achieved their best results to date.[14] The car placed third overall, and won "Best EV of 2021"[15][16][17] On top of this, the UoNRT Business Team came first in their competition, beating 108 other universities.[18]
The 2021 car, named Frankie, will be used as a testing platform in 2021-22 as the team works on future projects including a new, lightweight drive unit and upgrading to a carbon fiber chassis and suspension.[14]
Specifications
editName | Frankie[20] |
---|---|
Number of Wheels | 4 (2WD) |
Maximum Motor Power | 45 kW |
Motor Torque | 32 Nm |
Gearbox | 9:1 |
Torque Per Rear Wheel | 288 Nm |
Maximum Speed | 60 mph |
Battery Storage Capacity | 6.5 kWh |
Battery Voltage | 405v at full charge |
Battery Technology | Li-Ion (pouch cell) |
Chassis Construction | Steel tube spaceframe |
Bodyshell Construction | Vacuum formed ABS[21] |
Weight | 296 kg |
Competitions
editYear | Race | Car | Car Number | Entrants | Final Position | Achievements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | FS2017 | 63rd | ||||
2018 | FS2018 | 61st | ||||
2019 | FS2019 | 59th | ||||
2020 | FS2020 | 66 | 19th | |||
2021 | Silverstone | FS2021 | 23 | 35 | 3rd[20][21][22] | Business Team came first in their competition, beating 108 other universities. |
Sponsors
editThe team relies on external sponsors to fund the development, manufacture and testing of the vehicle.[3]
Current:
- ETPS Ltd
- KISSsoft
- Aerocom Metals
- Autosport Bearings & Components Ltd
- Bender
- Calspan (FSAE TTC)
- Charcroft Electronics
- Clarendon
- Cosworth
- GKN Automotive
- IPG Automotive
- Lubrizol
- Mathworks
- Macdonald Consultants
- Ohlins
- RLS
- KA Sensors
- Percepio[20][19]
- Easy Composites
- Ansini[21]
- Continental
- Contechs
- Scimitar
- JWA Racing
- Hel Performance
- University of Nottingham
Former:
- Anderson Power Products (APP)
- Kistler
- Raffenday EV
- Parker
Solar Challenge
editUoNRT started a new project in 2020-21 to build a solar-powered electric car to participate in Solar Challenge competitions around the world.[23][24][25][26] The guiding principles of solar challenge vehicles are to be ultra-efficient, designed for endurance, and push the boundaries of sustainable electric vehicle technology.[27]
This is the first time the University of Nottingham has set up a solar car project. The team are developing a Cruiser class car, and they are taking an approach focused on low-impact design and manufacture.[4] Alongside featuring 5m2 of solar panels, UoNRT’s first solar car will be adapting and upcycling parts from used electric vehicles.[4] The chassis is modified from a Renault Twizy base,[22][26] and second-life Nissan Leaf batteries are installed. They aim to be an environmentally-friendly alternative to the growing problem of dealing with end-of-life batteries from electric vehicles.[28]
The team aim to complete the first car in 2022, in time to participate in the European Solar Challenge[29][22][26] and prepare for the World Solar Challenge[27] in 2023. The team have said they will target further events around the world as the team develops.
Specifications
editName | TBC |
---|---|
Number of Wheels | 4 (front steered and rear driven) |
Solar Array Power | 1 kW average on a sunny day |
Solar Cell Efficiency | 22-24% |
Solar Array Size | 5m2 |
Maximum Motor Power | 10 kW |
Maximum Speed | 70 mph |
Battery Storage Capacity | 36 kWh |
Battery Voltage | 135 V (at full charge) |
Battery Technology | Li-Ion Pouch cells (Second life Nissan Leaf batteries) |
Chassis Construction | Steel tube spaceframe (modified Renault Twizy chassis) |
Bodyshell Construction | CFRP and vacuum formed ABS |
Competitions
editYear | Race | Car | Car Number | Entrants | Final Position | Achievements |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | European Solar Challenge | SC2022 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC |
2023 | World Solar Challenge | SC2023 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC |
Sponsors
editThe team relies on external sponsors to fund the development, manufacture and testing of the vehicle.[3]
Current:
- EasyComposites
- Prohelion
- ETPS Ltd
- University of Nottingham
References
edit- ^ Morris, Nigel (2019-06-11). "New electric lap record at 2019 Isle of Man TT Zero". The Driven. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ Williams, Alun (2015-08-05). "Nottingham's electric motorbike wins at Nurburgring MotoE". Electronics Weekly. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ a b c "University of Nottingham Racing | LinkedIn".
- ^ a b c d e "UoN Racing Team - The University of Nottingham". www.nottingham.ac.uk. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
- ^ "Formula Student 2011 Results".
- ^ "Formula Student", Wikipedia, 2022-02-02, retrieved 2022-02-09
- ^ Toulson, Gemma (2018-06-05). "Young Nottingham engineers to design and build electric Formula-style car". NottinghamshireLive. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ Toulson, Gemma (2018-06-05). "Young Nottingham engineers to design and build electric Formula-style car". NottinghamshireLive. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
- ^ "Racing UK's first ever all-wheel drive electric motor car at Formula Student". The News Room. 2018-07-27. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
- ^ "Formula Student 2017 results".
- ^ "Formula Student 2018 results".
- ^ "Formula Student 2019 Results".
- ^ "Formula Student 2020 results".
- ^ a b "Formula Student 2021 - The University of Nottingham". www.nottingham.ac.uk. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
- ^ "Formula Student 2021 results" (PDF).
- ^ "EVs and autonomy accelerate as Formula Student celebrates 25th year". www.imeche.org. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ "Nottingham power up for 2022". www.imeche.org. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ "Formula Student 2021 results" (PDF).
- ^ a b Team, Percepio (2022-02-04). "Tracing on the Race Track". Percepio. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ a b c Staff, E. W. (2022-02-23). "Teaching formula - The University of Nottingham Racing Team". Electronics Weekly. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ a b c "Ansini Teams up with UoN for the Formula Student Competition". Ansini. 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ a b c Sowery, Kiera (2022-06-09). "University of Nottingham's first solar car". Student Circuit. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ "Racing to accelerate research into solar powered cars". www.nottingham.ac.uk. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
- ^ "Encouraging more women into STEM subjects this International Women's Day". Student Circuit. 2022-03-07. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ Sowery, Kiera (2022-03-07). "IWD: Contributing and learning in STEM". Student Circuit. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ a b c "Nottingham students build solar car for Australia challenge". BBC News. 2022-07-02. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ a b "Bridgestone World Solar Challenge | Australia". worldsolarchallenge.org. 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
- ^ Pool, Rebecca (2020-07-11). "EVs, batteries and the multi-million-tonne scrap heap". eandt.theiet.org. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
- ^ "Teams – iLumen European Solar Challenge" (in Flemish). Retrieved 2022-02-09.