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Mobilizing green tech
SJSU team creates award-winning zero-emissions vehicle
John Ellis
Issue date: 12/4/08 Section: Features
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After 40 years of challenging universities to create a marketable human-powered automobile, the Society of Mechanical Engineers has yet to reach its goal.
Imagine a vehicle with an electric motor, four solar panels and eight eco-friendly batteries attached to a custom frame with two sets of power-generating foot pedals.
"I asked myself, 'Why not?'" said Tai-Ran Hsu, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering. "Using solely human power isn't practical enough for today's society."
Hsu's answer to the 40-year-old question is a collision between green and human-powered technologies. The result is a new class of energy-efficient automobile destined to get consumers' feet pumping away from gas stations.
"You can't go on the freeway, but you don't need gas," said Yusuf Ali, a mechanical engineering graduate student.
The student-designed zero-emissions vehicle, dubbed ZEM, incorporates a pedaling system that initiates movement and generates storable power, as well as solar and electrical systems to back up the human element.
"It's based on human power and sustainability for the environment," said Hsu, who helped lead the project.
The ZEM vehicle moves at lower speeds when using the pedal- and solar-powered systems, and drives up to 35 mph when the electric motor is engaged, Hsu said.
DESIGNING THE FUTURE
The hybrid human-powered car is the final product of a three-year research, design and construction venture undertaken by mechanical and electrical engineering students for their senior projects.
The project went through three phases, Hsu said. The first phase was the design and construction of a single-seat, three-wheel, solar- and human-powered vehicle, now referred to as the mini-ZEM. The second phase consisted solely of the design of the two-seat, dual-pedaled ZEM model.
It won the $15,000 first prize at the 2007 "Idea-to-Product Competition" held at Purdue University. The third phase was the construction of the award-winning design.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
nikki nahmens gage
posted 12/05/08 @ 12:51 PM PST
If it is easy to park on Main Street, I'm ready to buy it. How soon might they be available?
It is a much better concept than what I imagined in my dreams for an under $5K local-errand-car. (Continued…)
tomfeinberg
Cheap Essays
posted 4/01/09 @ 5:44 AM PST
I find this article very interesting, thanks for sharing!
Kelly Hart
Kelly Hart
posted 5/17/09 @ 9:01 AM PST
I applaud the work of this team in designing and creating a functional prototype of this ZEM. As for their claim that it is the first solar electric vehicle that can also be pedaled, they are mistaken, since I built drove a similar vehicle back in 2000. (Continued…)
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