PrISUm

Team PrISUm is the multi-disciplinary solar car racing team from Iowa State University that designs and constructs solar cars to compete in the North American Solar Challenge (NASC). Team PrISUm started in 1989 by engineering honor students of Tau Beta Pi and was simply known as the ISU Solar Car Project. By 1995, the team adopted the name of its first car, PrISUm.

Achievements

*Since 1989, Team PrISUm has built and raced 8 different cars and is one of only three teams that have competed in all the North American Solar Challenge races.
*Team PrISUm made the first solar car from the state of Iowa with its entrance in the 1990 GM Sunrayce

Future

Team members are currently constructing its ninth car, Sol Invictus, for competition in the 2008 North American Solar Challenge

Team Composition

Team PrISUm comprises about 40 students from the Iowa State University campus and welcomes students of all majors. Team PrISUm mainly consists of five divisions for its success in designing and racing a solar car.

*The Electrical and Solar Array Team is responsible for designing and building the batteries, solar array, power electronics, control systems and software for the car.
*The Mechanical and Aerodynamics Team is responsible for the design, testing, and fabrication of the outside shell of the vehicle and each mechanical component for the car.
*The Race Strategy Team is responsible for the optimization of the car performance and to teach the drivers how to drive the car as efficiently as possible.
*The Fundraising Team is responsible for the budget of the team's resources and gathering sufficient funds for the construction and race needs for the car.
*The Outreach Team is responsible for planning events for the local community to present the car and technology in order to teach the public about renewable energy and its applications.

Cars by year

*1990: ‘’PrISUm’’: GM Sunrayce: Placed 17 out of 34; Best Teamwork, Day 7; Most Improved, Day 5
*1993: ‘’PrISUm II’’: GM Sunrayce: Placed 10 out of 36
*1995: ‘’PrISUm CYnergy’’: GM Sunrayce: Placed 19 out of 38; an accident at over 45mph on the last day totaled the car, but left the driver with only a minor leg fracture
*1997: ‘’PrISUm ExCYtor’’: GM Sunrayce: Placed 26 out of 36
*1999: ‘’PrISUm Phoenix’’: GM Sunrayce: Placed 5 out of 29; Formula Sun: 4th place finish
*2001: ‘’PrISUm Odyssey’’: ASC: Placed 16 out of 30
*2003: ‘’PrISUm Spectrum’’: ASC: Placed 18 out of 20
*2005: ‘’PrISUm Fusion’’: Formula Sun: 1st place in stock class; 2nd place overall; NASC 2005: Placed 11 out of 20; 3rd place in Stock Class
*2008: ‘’PrISUm Sol Invictus’’: Currently in development, will race in NASC 2008

Car Features

Fusion, NASC 2005:

General Statistics:
*610 lbs with a 176 lbs for driver
*532 LG Chem Lithium Ion Battery cells
*Speeds reached over 70mph
*NGM three phase brushless DC, one wheel drive, in-hub motor
*Street legal and stamped by the DOT

Electrical System and Solar Array:
*596 silicon solar cells which are 20 percent efficient
*Battery Protection System, LCD and camera rearview system
*CAN network and wireless telemetry system

Mechanical System:
*Body of the car is composed of carbon fiber and Nomex
*Frame is made of thin-wall 6061 heat treated aluminum
*Four-wheel independent suspension with custom designed Penske shocks

Awards and Recognition
*NASC Sportsmanship Award
*NASC Safety Award

External links

* [http://www.prisum.iastate.edu PrISUm Homepage]
* [http://www.americansolarchallenge.org North American Solar Challenge (NASC)]
* [http://www.wsc.org.au World Solar Challenge (WSC)]
* [http://www.iastate.edu University website]

References

* [http://www.prisum.org/index.html Team PrISUm website]
* [http://www.thesolarplan.com/articles/Iowa.html thesolarplan.com]