Purdue University North Central Electric Vehicle Research Club (EVRC)
The members of the newly formed Purdue University North Central Electric Vehicle Research Club (EVRC) admit that they enjoy taking on challenges, solving problems and learning as much as they can about their field.
That is why these students jumped in and committed themselves to building a go-kart to compete in the Purdue evGrandPrix race - an adaptation of the storied Grand Prix race intended solely for electric vehicles. Ideally, the group will have an entry in the 2012 race, but they've committed themselves to entering the 2013 race - the final Grand Prix before the founding club officers graduate.
The club officers include president Roger Dodrill, an Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology (ECET) major and Washington Township High School graduate; Vice President John Baird, of Kouts; Secretary Kris Pullins, of Valparaiso and Treasurer Zack Littell, an ECET major and Hebron High School graduate alumnus. They are part of a nine-member club that is enthusiastically moving forward with plans to build the vehicle from scratch.
Littell explained that club members have worked hard to perfect their design, applying the knowledge they've learned in class, using 3-D modeling, CAD design and circuit simulation software.
He and Dodrill estimate that the vehicle will cost about $15,000 to build. They'll need to customize the frame, build the electronics and put together countless separate to make a working, racing vehicle. They are certain that this type of vehicle has not been built before.
Club members are collecting some items themselves and are actively seeking donations. Anyone who wants to contribute or help out in any way can contact Littell at zlittell@gmail.com
The club already has an electronic S10 pickup truck donated by Fossey Co., of Boone Grove. This is one of the first electric vehicles made.
Club meetings are lively as the members churn out ideas for their car.
"It's great to put a group of minds together," said Dodrill. "We need a lot of different talents to put this together."
Dodrill builds race cars and has experience with autocross and track racing.
The electronics will be the most sophisticated part of the vehicle, admit Dodrill and Littell.
"It will have a brain that has to think extremely fast," said Little. For example, it will have to know to take the vehicle to its maximum, but not exceed it; the wheels have to work independently, but together and the global-positioning system will need to be precise.
Little noted that these vehicles are fast. An electric vehicle created on the West Lafayette campus went from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds.
The EVRC's challenge is to create a fast, yet manageable vehicle. Once it's built, the next step is to learn to drive it, anticipate its battery life and other capabilities so it can be a successful racing machine.
It's a challenge the students welcome. "I love solving problems like this," said Dodrill.
"I love learning," added Littell. "I enjoy reading articles, learning how to do something, learning how something works. I always want to learn more. I'll never do just what it takes to get by. If you do that, you'll waste your opportunity to do something great."
The two explained that they've grown up around electronics and engineering and both have parents who nurtured their innate curiosities. They both attended the Porter County Career Center as high school students and credit the faculty there with cementing their desire to earn their Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology degrees. They are committed to pursuing careers in the field.
Today, they feel they've found their niche at Purdue North Central.
"I love the hands-on experience and the one-on-one attention," said Dodrill. "We work on real projects so we can learn everything about it from start to finish."
"We have an amazing opportunity to learn here," added Littell. "Every day is a new challenge. It's a great experience."
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