UKM Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2011

On the 7^th of July 2010, on the sizzling tracks of the Sepang International Circuit in sunny Malaysia, history will be created as the SHELL Eco Marathon 2010 will take place for the first time ever in the Asian region. For its grand debut into the 71-year old tradition, The National University of Malaysia will deploy 3 representing teams to compete in the prototype category, where the main objective is to create a car that is not only fuel-efficient, but embodies aerodynamic characteristics. These teams are the UKM – Solar Car, UKM – Fuel Cell and UKM – LPG. The SHELL Eco-Marathon Asia 2010 is an international platform that provides a golden opportunity for higher learning institutions to compete healthily against others from all over the world, in the interest of developing the global automotive and energy industry and to share valuable information regarding research and implementation of current technology.

Team UKM-Solar Car

In order to highlight solar energy as one of the main alternative energy implemented, UKM-SOLAR CAR has made a prototype car, MYNUCAR4. MYNUCAR4 considered an important factor which is efficiency of photovoltaic cells where the efficiency is 17% and the weight is about 1150 g / m². Solar radiation will produce peak radiation at the equator measuring approximately 1000 W/m2. If the solar cells directly facing the sun, then the total maximum output power that can be produced is 348.5W. Weight distribution of the car directly affects many vehicle features such as handling, acceleration, traction and the components life. If the weight of the car is not distributed properly, there is a chance where the wheel of car will slip rather than rotating. Weight distribution for MYNUCAR4 will be focused on the middle of the car and will be balance by the weight of the components in other parts. Fabrication of MYNUCAR4 divided into two parts, the car body and chassis. For the solar car body, fiberglass materials used and the order is modified by using tricycle frame to emphasis lighter weight. The weight of the entire car is about 40 kg. MYNUCAR4’s design is more focused on the body surface that is large enough to fit six solar panels on it.

Team UKM – Fuel Cell

The UKM Fuel Cell Car team consists of 11 engineering students. There are 3 students from the mechanical engineering department and the other 8 are from chemical engineering department. Our team advisor is Prof. Ir. Dr. Haji Wan Ramli Wan Daud. In the beginning, the team consisted only of 8 students where all of these students are from chemical engineering department. The team added 3 more talented members from mechanical department because there were not enough skill especially for the mechanical part of the car. Briefly, Kencana, which is the name given to the car, is made from aluminium for the chassis and fibre glass for the body of the car.The choice of the material is depends of strength and weight. The name of Kencana is inspired from our advisor. Kencana which bring the meaning of gold, meant to represent the quality of car built is very high value of every aspects such as safety, efficiency of energy use and attractive appearance to show the elements of gold through the gold colour. This prototype concept car is moved by electrical energy which is produced from hydrogen gas flowing through the fuel cell to generate electric current that drives the motor. Besides, alternative energy is also used like batteries and supercapacitor for the other systems available on the car such as the horn and lights.

Kencana has many advantages that enable for our team to achieve success in Sepang. One of the advantages of Kencana is the aerodynamic body design and light weight allows Kencana to move faster thus saving more energy. Besides, the cells that were used is zero emission fuel cell where there is no harmful gaseous release such as carbon dioxide. The motor used to move Kencana is mounted directly on the wheel. Lastly, the handling system used are based on go kart handling system enable Kencana be easily controlled to avoid the accident happened on the day of the competition later.

Team UKM - LPG

UKM – LPG will put forth MYNUCAR2, which is the product of the passion and commitment the Department of Mechanic and Material, of the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment has towards the study of alternative fuels in the automotive realm. The result of this drive brings to existence a car that is fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly and unquestionably robust. During the conception of MYNUCAR 2, high fuel efficiency coupled with sturdy design to ensure safety and reliability were significant factors. Built from hollow shafts made of mild steel, the chassis is designed to protect the driver and itself in the event of frontal or lateral collision. Mild steel is a relatively light, high strength material that is both reliable and affordable. The car body is made of fiberglass, a composition that is lighter than aluminum per unit volume, but rigid enough to provide a protective shell around the driver.

Under the hood of the blazing red and white exterior with black detailing, a prominent feature of the MYNUCAR 2 is its usage of liquefied petroleum gas, or LPG as fuel. LPG is a low-carbon-emitting fuel that consists of a flammable mixture of propane and butane. It is synthesized by refining petroleum, and is derived from fossil fuel sources extracted from oil or gas streams that emerge from the ground. It has a calorific value of 94 MJ/m³, and can be mixed with air to produce synthetic natural gas (SNG) which easily substitutes natural gas, which has a calorific value of 38 MJ/m³. The LPG evaporates at normal temperatures and pressures, and is usually stored in pressurized steel cylinders. The advantages of using LPG are many. Firstly, it is an efficient fuel, because it has a higher net calorific value, 46000 kJ/kg compared to an equivalent amount of diesel, which has a net calorific value of 42600 kJ/kg and petrol, 42900 kJ/kg. This allows it to burn more cleanly and completely, making it an environmentally friendly fuel alternative.

LPG is a commonly used fuel alternative to gasoline and diesel in highly developed countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and in some Asian countries, namely Thailand. It has yet to exude significant presence in the Malaysian automotive industry, most likely due to the abundance petroleum, lack of necessity for change and weak market for alternative fuels. By integrating simplicity in design, confidence in the performance of new fuel alternatives and a steadfast principle towards the conservation of the environment, MYNUCAR 2 is an embodiment of not only man and machine, but also of nature.