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1. Students Break 1,000 mpg in SAE Supermileage Competition |
by Marcia Goodrich, senior writer
Michigan Tech's team surprised everyone last weekend by wringing a whopping 1,140 miles per gallon out of their low, sleek, custom-made vehicle in the 2009 SAE Supermileage competition.
The effort was enough to earn them a silver in the 25-team field in just their second year at the event, held June 4-5 at the Eaton Corporation Marshall Proving Grounds, in Lower Michigan.
The Supermileage Systems Enterprise team also earned Best Design honors, which says as much or more about the students' effort as taking second place, according to their advisor. "You can fall victim to dumb racing luck at any competition," said Rick Berkey, a senior research engineer II in the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies. "But your design proves the quality of the work."
The team had plenty of dumb luck to contend with. The mounting bracket for the starter broke and was fixed using a welder borrowed from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. The Tech team was able to return the favor later, when SDSMT needed a generator.
A wiring mishap set them back. And the judges wouldn't let them use a novel feature on their GPS unit, which would allow the car to run on autopilot to get the highest possible mileage. "It could technically run by itself," said driver Justin Angelow, who is majoring in electrical and computer engineering.
Nevertheless, once Angelow got out on the track to drive the old-fashioned way, the students shocked even themselves, first by doubling their mileage over last year and then nearly tripling it. At one point, they traveled 9.6 miles on 23 grams, less than an ounce, of fuel.
Berkey credited Angelow's meticulous control at the wheel in part for the stellar finish. A standard technique is to turn off the engine completely when coasting, and timing can be everything.
One of the biggest changes over last year was a reworking of the front wheels, said team member Alexey Morozov, an electrical engineering major. The body was also redesigned to improve aerodynamics. "It was operational last year, but this year, we worked on the details," he said.
All contestants work with a 3.5-horsepower, four-stroke engine donated by Briggs & Stratton. The Tech team added fuel injection and a starter, which helped boost their total weight to 120 pounds, making the vehicle one of the competition's heavyweights. Next year, they hope to shave a few pounds, which could boost their mileage even further.
The team managed to turn a traditional handicap to their advantage. With Houghton's long winters, they couldn't get their car outside for much roadwork. As a result, they spent hours inside using their custom-made, portable dynamometer to fine-tune all the engine components. The result, they said, was a superior design that gave them the edge.
The project provided other benefits. "You really learn how to work in a team," said Morozov. Plus, he says, he's also refined his own driving and is getting lots better mileage out of his minivan.
"I was so proud of how well they dealt with adversity and how well they worked together," Berkey said. "It was great to see it all come together."
Students in the Society of Automotive Engineers Supermileage competition design and build a single-person, fuel-efficient vehicle powered by a small four-cycle engine. The winner is chosen based on design and miles per gallon.
The Universite Laval of Quebec won for the second straight year by attaining 1,804 miles per gallon. Third place went to California State University at Los Angeles. |
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2. Michigan Tech, Keweenaw Land Trust Host Two-Day Journey on Sailing Ship |
A traditionally rigged schooner will embark Monday, June 29, from Houghton on a two-day excursion through Keweenaw Bay, and up to 15 members of the public can join the crew for the journey.
This special voyage is hosted by Tech and the Keweenaw Land Trust. Guided by professional sailors, participants will crew aboard the Great Lakes schooner Denis Sullivan while exploring topics in land and water conservation.
The Denis Sullivan will travel from Houghton to Bete Grise and back. Cost of the trip is $400. Teachers can gain continuing education credit from Michigan Tech for an additional $125.
The S/V Denis Sullivan is the world's only re-creation of a 19th-century, three-masted Great Lakes schooner. Based in Milwaukee, it's also a modern educational sailing vessel with diesel engines, a scientific laboratory, two computer workstations and modern communication and navigation equipment.
For more information or to register, contact Evan McDonald at the Keweenaw Land Trust at 906-482-0820, or at evanmcdonald@keweenawlandtrust.org .
To learn more about the Denis Sullivan, visit www.discoveryworld.org/ . |
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3. Reminder: Important Year-End Closing Deadlines from the Tech Fund |
Following are schedules applicable to the closing of the Michigan Tech Fund accounting records for the fiscal year.
Expenditures and Accounts Payable
Any charges normally processed by a Michigan Tech Fund check request must be received in the accounting offices no later than Friday, June 19.
Cash Receipts, Revenues and Pledges
Donations, checks and pledges must be received at the Michigan Tech Fund no later than noon on Tuesday, June 30, to be receipted and deposited in the current fiscal year. |
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4. In the News |
Raymond Shaw's and Alex Kostinski's raindrops research was covered on Science 360 News Service: http://news.science360.gov/archives/20090612.aspx ,
and the Discovery Channel web site: http://blogs.discovery.com/earth/ .
The two researchers were also were interviewed on BBC Radio's PM program Friday, June 12.
The Wall Street Journal picked up the story on the free-skiing aspect of our Experience Tech initiative: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124449618099595563.html .
Financial Aid Director Bill Roberts was quoted in the Detroit Free Press: http://www.freep.com/article/20090612/NEWS06/906120394/1008/Students+in+financial-aid+limbo
In the latest issue of American Archivist, the peer-reviewed journal of the Society of American Archivists, our Keweenaw Digital Archives work is cited and pictured. |
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5. How to Write a Competitive, Fundable Proposal |
Join the Graduate School and Research and Sponsored Programs for a seminar on "How to Write a Competitive, Fundable Proposal" tomorrow, Tuesday, June 16, at 11 a.m.
Seniors and current graduate students interested in applying for external funding or a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship will gain:
* six proposal writer tips
* seven proposal writing guidelines
* four effective proposal package strategies
Once you register, you will receive a confirmation with the location and a reminder of the date and time. Space is limited, so register early. The presentation will be available online for those unable to attend the seminar.
For more information, contact Jodi Lehman at 487-3513 or at
jglehman@mtu.edu . |
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6. Office Closures Scheduled |
The Office of Research Integrity and Compliance will be closed from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, June 17 and 18, and from 12:45 to 4 p.m. on Friday, June 19.
The Office of the Vice President for Research will be closed today, Monday, from 1:45 to 4 p.m. for a staff retreat. The following offices will be affected: Sponsored Programs, Sponsored Programs Accounting, Research Integrity and Compliance, and Technology and Economic Development. |
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