SEM-02

Our second generation car SEM-02 was manufactured for the 2023/24 competition. Unfortunately, due to the Shell Eco Marathon competition falling during the university exam season, the team had to withdraw. Ending the year with a celebration of our success at the Vehicle Unveiling Event, the team finished the manufacture of SEM-02, and will be moving on to the design of our new car in 2024/5.

progress

• Body and chassis

  After creating several concept designs and running CFD simulations, we have settled on a final concept design based on the Eppler-473 aerofoil.

  Despite the larger vehicle size, by incorporating new wheel covers and a shorter wheelbase, this design has achieved up to 2% reduction in CdA value compared to SEM-01.

• Controls and electronics

  At the start of 2023, Sheffield Eco Motorsport's Electronics and Control team has achieved key milestones. The Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) team successfully designed a circuit integrating a speed sensor, Arduino Mega, and communication modules. Work on the battery management system is underway, with assembly and testing slated for next semester.

  Simultaneously, the Motor Control Unit (MCU) team focused on translating throttle inputs to drive the motors, with testing planned for the upcoming semester. The team anticipates a productive next semester, emphasizing rigorous testing, code refinement, and seamless integration of both VCU and MCU systems for the eco-friendly race car.

• Marketing

The marketing team successfully hosted the team’s first-ever Vehicle Unveiling Event. Taking place in The Diamond, the team showcased SEM-02 to our sponsors, university staff and students, hearing updates from our team leads about our progress.

• Finance

  This semester, the finance team has been hard at work keeping the team organised with budgets and a new money-tracking system. Some big milestones for the team has been maintaining our relationship with previous sponsors, such as Parkwood Karting.

  Following on, finance has been working closely with marketing to secure more sponsorships ahead of ordering our brand-new team merch! We are very excited to help promote our sponsors at university open days and global competitions we attend.

our main objectives:

• Optimise the aerodynamic package for a larger driver environment

• Design a full carbon fibre structural monocoque with carbon tube frame rear structure

• Design an in-house motor controller to minimise losses

• Design and manufacture an in-house motor dyno and powertrain testing rig