Thursday, September 25, 2008
A 1974 Volkswagon Beetle could be the key to developing a modern hybrid vehicle. Students enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering Senior Design Project class used a VW Beetle to develop a sustainable car as part of a project called “EcoHawks.”
Christopher Depcik, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, said he introduced the project to teach students practical skills that could be beneficial to society and help students find jobs.
Gavin Strunk, Wichita senior, works on the headlight of a Volkswagen Beetle as part of a senior design project for the School of Engineering. Strunk, along with a team of 10 other seniors, is working to make the vehicle run on sustainable fuel, and, Strunk said, "take it from what it is now to a series hybrid."
The project started with recycling an old vehicle, which was the most energy-efficient way to create a new vehicle.
“I wanted students to have something that was iconic,” Depcik said. “Then I thought about the VW Bug.”
Lou McKown, Downingtown, Pa., senior, is among the 11 seniors doing research and building the vehicle for EcoHawks. He said the project aimed to design a more efficient car. The innovative aspect of the project is the design and adoption of interchangeable engines, he said. The design allows the vehicle to use many different kinds of fuel, such as gasoline, biodiesel and ethanol.
“The developments that we make during our project really benefit not just KU, the entire community,” McKown said. “No vehicle like this is really available in the common marketplace.”
Matt LeGresley, Lawrence senior and member of EcoHawks, said such a vehicle would help the global energy sector become more local, which is an important aspect of sustainability. The EcoHawks use biodiesel that was produced in a chemical engineering laboratory on campus.
“What this allows us to do is use fuels that are produced locally from crops or feedstocks,” LeGresley said.
Depcik said he planned to continue the project after this academic year. The project focused on the use of biodiesel and ethanol this year to develop the methodology for building hybrid vehicles. He said the project would choose a different primary fuel source every year, looking at the trend of the time to teach more practical skills.
Photo Gallery
EcoHawks
The EcoHawks project encourages engineering students to build a hybrid car.
“The idea is that as we move forward throughout time, students are working on the status of technology,” Depcik said. “We’re doing something that is completely applicable to which way the economy goes, which way society goes.”
McKown said the EcoHawks team faced technological and funding challenges. The KU Transportation Research Institute donated $10,000, but the team needs more funding to continue the project for the next few years, McKown said.
McKown said the team would showcase the project during the University’s Homecoming festivities.
— — Edited by Becka Cremer
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Comments
Seniors in engineering school build hybrid car
I want to see this thing. Can I drive it?
Seniors in engineering school build hybrid car
I wannadrive it too.
Seniors in engineering school build hybrid car
I want to see it too, I would like to drive it too. I think I would look great behind the wheel. Beep beep. Honkie honkie.
Seniors in engineering school build hybrid car
Good Day All,
Until then, once we have it stripped down and repainted a sweet Jayhawk blue, it will be out on the streets under conventional power drumming up support and raising awareness about the project. We will have more pictures of the car coming soon, and if you see us on the road feel free to honk, wave, or ask any questions, we’ll be happy to talk about the car.
For more information about the car or to get involved in the project, email EcoHawks@ku.edu
Thanks, Lou McKown, KU EcoHawks, The University of Kansas School of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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