Under the hood of the student-built car that lit up the track at the Shell Eco-marathon in Indonesia
by Derek Rodriguez
“Building the car for competition requires strong teamwork and putting good engineering skills into practice. It exemplified the students’ adaptability, strong esprit de corps and collaboration in a high-pressure and results-driven engineering environment.”
– Assoc Prof Holden Li (far left, with red cap)
From its design to its bones, every aspect of the Nanyang Venture 12 (NV12) is maximised for mileage. Hydrogen PEM fuel cells power the lightweight race car as it slices effortlessly through the air, thanks to its aerodynamic design. Slowing down generates more energy that propels it even further across the tarmac.
These engineering features secured two awards for the team behind NV12 in the Shell Eco-marathon, a global competition that pits cars made by students in a contest of energy efficiency.
Designed from scratch by a multidisciplinary team of NTU students under the guidance of Assoc Prof Ng Heong Wah and Assoc Prof Holden Li, the NV12 is the 12th iteration of Nanyang Venture cars, a line of award-winning concept cars built for competition. Each version sees a team of NTU students – with skills from engineering to computing and even art, design and media – taking their classroom knowledge and applying it in areas such as aerodynamics, traction and telemetry.
Docked for a year and a half in the garage, the car faced speed bumps before it hit the road.
“It took far longer than the previous creations because of disruptions caused by the pandemic,” says Assoc Prof Ng, who has led Nanyang Venture teams since 2009. He added that factors such as the halting of academic activities, lab shutdowns and difficulties in sourcing and acquiring materials due to supply chain issues were some of the roadblocks they encountered.
The silver lining was that the team had more time to introduce innovations to the car, which paid off handsomely as they picked up awards for Vehicle Design and Technical Innovation, and a total of US$2,000 in prize money.
“It was a team effort with students working on different parts of the car. Many of us had no experience building any kind of vehicle, so it was incredibly rewarding to see our ideas come to life, piece by piece, with the guidance of our professors.”
– Final-year mechanical engineering student Kang Min Jin
Inspired by diving falcons and B-2 bombers, the Nanyang Venture 12’s aerodynamic silhouette allows it to cut through the air. The head-turning design also received nods from the judges, who gave it a Vehicle Design Award.
The carbon fibre body reflects a design for weight-sensitive vehicles, with moulds that give a better surface finish to minimise drag. The car weighs just 109kg.
Gullwing doors with bulletproof hinges let the driver get in and out easily, and in style.
Spot the NTU logo on the car’s bonnet and rear.
The single wiper that keeps rain off the curved windscreen was developed after much analysis and calculations.
Just like in fighter jets and supercars, triangular air inlets are used to reduce drag even further.
Circular “halo” LEDs produce brighter light with less energy.
NV12 features the first non-electromagnetic clutch in a Nanyang Venture car. The mechanical clutch lets the car recover energy during deceleration and its creative inclusion won the team the Technical Innovation Award.
See how many people it takes to lift the car
This story was published in the Jan-Feb 2023 issue of HEY!. To read it and other stories from this issue in print, click here.
