Random Article Summary #114

The University of Nottingham Racing Team (UoNRT) is a student-run electric vehicle team at the University of Nottingham. It has two sub teams: Formula Student and Solar Challenge. The university previously competed in e-bikes through the Power Electronics Machines and Control Research Group (PEMC). By working on new technologies, the team won “best” EV at Formula Student UK in 2021. Currently, they are building a lighter, more efficient Formula Student car and a two-seater Solar Challenge car made around upcycled EV systems. The team depends on external sponsors to pay for developing, building, and testing the vehicles, and the two sub teams include around 400 students and staff. UoNRT restarted its Formula Student project in 2016 after a five-year break, building a single-seat electric race car for the IMechE Formula Student UK competition. Their goal was to create the UK’s first all-wheel drive electric car, but early entries in 2017–2019 did not take part in the dynamic events, and results were 63rd to 59th. In 2021 they returned to Silverstone with a new 2WD car (Frankie), achieving their best performance so far with third overall, winning “Best EV of 2021,” and the business team coming first among 108 universities. Frankie will be used for testing in 2021–22 while the team develops a lighter drive unit and upgrades to a carbon fiber chassis and suspension. FS2021 refers to a set of rules used for the 2021 racing season. It sets guidelines that teams must follow in areas like car setup, parts, and competition standards to ensure fair racing. In 2020-21, UoN Racing Team started a project to build an ultra-efficient solar-powered electric car for global Solar Challenge races, guided by ideas of endurance and sustainable technology. For the first car, they are creating a Cruiser-class vehicle using low-impact design and upcycled parts, including 5m2 of solar panels, a modified Renault Twizy chassis, and second-life Nissan Leaf batteries. They plan to finish the car in 2022 for the European Solar Challenge, then prepare for the World Solar Challenge in 2023 and aim to join more events worldwide. SC2021 focused on preparing for the racing season by improving how the team works and performs. It emphasizes learning from each stage, making changes based on results, and building stronger systems for better reliability and speed on track.