Khalifa University team shines in US contest
- 05 Jul 2019
Khalifa University of Science and Technology, a research university dedicated to the advancement of learning through the discovery and application of knowledge, announced its SparKU team of 10 students won the eighth place out of 31 international universities that participated in the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Supermileage 2019 competition in the US.
The SAE Supermileage competition offers undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to enhance their engineering design and project management skills. Participating teams are required to develop a single person, extremely high fuel economy vehicle that complies with the Supermileage rules and runs a specified course. The vehicle obtaining the highest combined kilometres per litre (KMPL) rating and points on design segment wins the top spot. The Khalifa University team achieved a fuel rating of 384 miles per gallon (163 kmpl).
As stipulated by the organisers, Khalifa University team successfully developed the complete design, simulation and composite material fabrication, achieved with expired carbon fibre material from Aerospace Research and Innovation Centre (ARIC) provided by Strata Manufacturing. The team of Mechanical, Electrical, Computer and Chemical Engineering students was also the only one from the Arab world to successfully complete the race and earn a good fuel economy rating.
Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: “The strong position for Khalifa University’s SparKU team in the SAE Supermileage 2019 competition validates the extent of our faculty expertise and student commitment to reach excellence. The students displayed their skills and applied what they learned, thus bringing honour to Khalifa University. Our compliments to the faculty and student team members and we believe this success will pave the way for many more in the future.”
Dr Saeed Almansori, CEO of Halcon System, a defence technology company owned by Abu Dhabi-based Yas Holding Group, said: “It is Halcon Systems’ responsibility as an Emirati organisation to support future UAE engineers, and develop them to become professionals and capable of becoming leaders in any industry. Continuous learning never ends and we urge future engineering graduates to follow that rule through their entire careers to serve their country in the most appropriate and honourable way.”
Faculty advisers included Dr Bashar El-Khasawneh, Graduate Programme Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Dr Reyad AlKhazali, Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering. E. Rajesh Ganithi, Mechanical Engineering Department, provided administrative and technical support. Two teams of students – one dealing with the mechanical systems, and the other with the engine and the electrical systems - built the vehicle simultaneously for the SAE Supermileage 2019 competition and as a senior design project, conforming to the stringent time line, while displaying their project management and technical skills.
From Mechanical Engineering, the students included Alanood Alblooshi, Aamna Alteneiji, May AlShami, and Rawan AlKatheeri. Manar Alhebsi was responsible for steering system and wheels. Other team members included Abdulaziz Naqi from Electrical Engineering, Khalifa Rashed of Computer Engineering, and Sultan AlShamsi of Chemical Engineering. Mechanical Engineering student Khalifa AlShehhi and Electrical Engineering student Shamma Alblooshi drove the vehicle alternately.
Halcon Systems has been the sole sponsor of Khalifa University SAE Supermileage team for the last two years. ARIC provided technical support.
The Khalifa University of Science and Technology merges the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research and the Petroleum Institute into one world-class, research-intensive institution, producing world leaders and critical thinkers in applied science and engineering. The university endeavours to be a catalyst to the growth of Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s rapidly developing knowledge economy as an education destination of choice and a global leader among research intensive universities.