H2PolitO – molecole da corsa[1] is a Team of italian and foreign students from the Polytechnic of Turin.[2] These students come from various degree courses (engineering and architecture) and work together on the design and assembly of a low consumption hydrogen vehicle – IDRA.
The Team mission is to participate in low consumption competitions for vehicles utilizing alternative energy sources. It also aims to train Engineers by applying theory to practical applications, an innovative approach to learning if compared to the typical lecture-based methods.
History
editThe Team began in 2006, with the aim of building an alternative energy vehicle based on hydrogen propulsion.
Ms. Massimiliana Carello was appointed faculty advisor with the task of following students throughout their activities and supporting the technological and educational aspects of the project. Thanks to the approval of the Dean of the Polytechnic of Turin, Mr. Francesco Profumo, the project took off and the first team was created in 2007. It was made up of 15 students who designed, assembled and tested the first prototype.
Within the Team, all students are assigned precise roles, tasks and responsibilities like in a real company. Students also take care of the organizational and decision-making aspects of the project.
The professors involved in the project form a Steering Committee, which follows students during their team activities and as supervisors of experimental theses. The Polytechnic of Turin is the first Italian university to officially recognize this kind of project.
The hydrogen propulsion vehicle IDRA has participated in competitions dedicated to its category – the Shell Eco-marathon[3] and the Formula Electric & Hybrid Italy[4] - and will continue to do so. In 2007, it became Project of the year of the Polytechnic of Turin.
The Polytechnic of Turin is the main backer of the project, both financially and structurally. In fact, it provides the laboratories and equipment necessary to assemble and test prototypes. Several major companies are also actively involved. Technical partnerships consist of joint projects between students and firms in order to develop the vehicle. Some companies have also contributed financially to the project.
The Team has a laboratory within the Mechanical Engineering department of the Polytechnic (corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Turin) and its headquarters are within the faculty of Automotive Engineering (via Nizza 230, Turin).
Results
edit2008
edit
The Team and IDRA08 (2008 version of the vehicle) participated in the Shell Eco-marathon 2008, held in Nogaro (France) and obtained the following results:
- Covered 942 km/l gasoline equivalent - 2,215.72 mpg‑US (0.106157 L/100 km; 2,660.97 mpg‑imp)
- Recognized as the best novice team
- Recognized as the best Italian team
The Team also took part in the Italian competition Formula EHI 2008 (Formula Electric & Hybrid Italy), held in Orbassano and organized by the Automotive Technical Association - ATA (Turin). The Team obtained the following result:
- Third prize in Category 2[5]
2009
editIn 2009 the Team participated in the European 2009 edition of Shell Eco-marathon, at the Eurospeedway in Lausitz (Germany) with the following results:
- Covered 1538 km/l gasoline equivalent[6] - 3,617.6 mpg‑US (0.065020 L/100 km; 4,344.6 mpg‑imp)
- First prize Marketing & Communication Award[7]
- Special mention for "Design Award"
The team also took part in the Formula EHI 2009[8] , hosted by the Research Center ENEA (Rome), and obtained the following result:
- Third prize in Category 2
In April 2009 the Team sent three of its members to witness the SEM 09 USA competition.[9]
In October 2009, the Team H2politO won the first prize in the category "Creativity, Research and Composites" at the Compotec fair,[10] in Marina di Carrara, Italy.
2010
editIn 2010 the Team participated in the European 2010 edition of Shell Eco-marathon, at the Eurospeedway in Lausitz (Germany) with the following results:
- Covered 1148 km/l gasoline equivalent[11] - 2,700.3 mpg‑US (0.08711 L/100 km; 3,242.9 mpg‑imp)
- First prize Marketing & Communication Award
- First prize in Design Award
In 2010 The Team started developing an innovative Urban Concept to run the European 2011 edition of the Shell Eco-marathon
References
edit- ^ Polytechnic of Turin. "Team H2PolitO official website".
- ^ Polytechnic of Turin. "Politecnico of Turin official website".
- ^ Shell Eco-marathon Website. "Shell Eco-marathon official website".
- ^ ENEA Website. "Formula Electric and Hybrid Italy (2009 edition)" (PDF).
- ^ ATA Website. "Formula EHI 2008 - Rules and categories".
- ^ Shell Eco-marathon Website. "Results (2009) - Prototype Fuel Cell".
- ^ Shell Eco-marathon Data. "Results (2009) - Communication & Marketing Award".
- ^ ENEA Website. "Formula EHI 2009 - Registered teams, rules and categories" (PDF).
- ^ Shell Eco-marathon Website. "2009 Shell Eco-marathon Americas Highlights".
- ^ Compotec. "IDRA wins Compotec prize" (PDF).
- ^ Shell Eco-marathon Website. "Results (2010) - Prototypes".