Engine technologies often take years to make it from an engineer’s mind and computer programs to the physical vehicle and cars we drive on the roads. Think how far the auto industry has come from crank engines of the Model T in the early 1900’s to modern vehicles powered solely by electric power like the Chevy Volt due out in the coming years. Just last month, for the fourth time in the United States, Shell challenged student teams from across the Americas to design and build vehicles using innovative new vehicle technologies — usually in just a matter of months. So while many students were relaxing on Spring Break, more than 400 students brought together their best futuristic technology and design with traditional gasoline combustion, solar and fuel cell engines at the 2010 Shell Eco-marathon Americas.

 
This year, the event was held on the streets of downtown Houston, adding an exciting layer to the challenge. The street environment was different from the track of previous years, and allowed the vehicle technologies to be tested in a more “real” environment.

The event included 42 student teams with 48 vehicles from 9 high schools and 28 universities across the Americas in a challenge to see who can go the farthest using the least amount of energy. Additionally, one guest team from Italy joined the roster with their Prototype vehicle. For the second year in a row, the team from Laval University in Quebec won the challenge in the Prototype category, achieving 2,487.5 miles per gallon, while Mater Dei High School from Evansville, IN won the challenge in the UrbanConcept category, achieving 437.2 miles per gallon.

 
"The competition was tough this year, plus participating on a street course for the first time was a whole new experience for us," said Bruno Leduc of Laval University. "We put a lot of time and energy into our vehicle this year and are very proud of how we did. We are excited to be the Shell Eco-marathon Americas champions again in 2010!"

For the Prototype category, teams entered futuristic prototypes – streamlined vehicles focused on maximizing fuel efficiency through innovative design elements, such as drag reduction. For the UrbanConcept category, teams entered more “roadworthy” fuel-efficient vehicles. Aimed at meeting the real-life needs of drivers, these vehicles are closer in appearance to the cars seen on roads today. For both categories, teams could use any conventionally available energy source – including fuels such as diesel, gasoline and liquid petroleum gas (LPG), as well as alternative fuels such as hydrogen, biomass and solar.

This challenge is truly all about technology, which was exemplified by one of the awards handed out this year. The winner of this year’s “Technical Innovation Award” went to Purdue University for their patent pending carbon fiber construction technique. Their solar cell encapsulation preserves flexibility allowing integration with the vehicle's curved body shape.

 
"The 2010 Shell Eco-marathon Americas is a challenge that brings together high school and college students from across the Americas to push the boundaries and design mobility solutions," said Mark Singer, global project manager for the Shell Eco-marathon. "And, it is a clear demonstration that we're never too young to start making energy innovations and efficiency a priority. It was inspiring to see these vehicles of the future on the streets of downtown Houston this year."

For more information about the Shell Eco-marathon Americas, please visit http://www.shell.com/home/content/ecomarathon/americas/.