Outstanding University of Akron engineering education experiences proven by student design teams' success
The University of Akron (国产伦理) is home to some of the most talented and innovative students in the field of engineering. This spring, the Zips Aero Design Team and the Zips Racing Electric Design Team achieved remarkable success at competitions featuring teams from around the country and the world.
Zips Aero Design Team members at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Design Build Fly competition held in Wichita, KS.
Zips Aero Design Team: Soaring to New Heights
The Zips Aero Design Team designs, builds and flies remote-controlled aircraft for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Design Build Fly (DBF) competition. This year, the competition was held in Wichita, KS at Textron Aviation’s Employees’ Flying Club. More information about the competition can be found on the .
Recent Achievements
Competing in the AIAA DBF competition, the team secured top positions in several categories, placing sixth overall out of 107 teams and finishing as the top team from Ohio.
- 33rd in Report Scoring: The team submitted a detailed 60-page technical report after qualifying with a 5-page proposal among 149 submissions. Their report placed 33rd among the 107 teams that made it to the competition.
- 6th Place Overall
The team’s unique V-Tail configured plane and the use of a large 24-inch by 12-pitch propeller allowed them to achieve optimal lift during take-off. They also utilized fiberglass composites, which provided the necessary strength while being lighter than carbon fiber.
Engineering Excellence
The success of the Zips Aero Design Team can be attributed to their application of advanced engineering principles learned in the classroom and through co-op experiences. They applied aerodynamics and structural analysis to design every component of the plane, apart from a few off-the-shelf parts like the motor, battery and propeller.
“Overall, the team has recently started actively applying Systems Engineering principles that we’ve learned from our Aerospace Systems Engineering (ASE) degree. This has led to great success and we are striving to apply more principles to better systematically engineer and compete. We also work through the whole engineering design process starting with brainstorming to integration and implementation. Additionally, we used knowledge from courses like Aerospace Materials and Design of Mechanical Components to heat treat our aluminum landing gear, ensuring it was strong, lightweight and effective.” - Kristofer Johnson, Zips Aero 2023-24 team captain
Zips Racing Electric Design Team members at the New Hampshire Hybrid + Electric Event.
Zips Racing Electric Design Team: Driving Innovation Forward
The Zips Racing Electric Design Team focuses on the cutting-edge field of electric vehicle (EV) technology. Competing in the Formula SAE Electric competition, the team designs and builds a high-performance electric race car. This competition challenges students to apply their engineering skills in a real-world context, fostering innovation and sustainable technology.
Recent Achievements
This year's Formula SAE Electric competition saw the Zips Racing Electric Design Team achieve outstanding results. They competed at the New Hampshire Hybrid + Electric Event, where they placed third out of 30 electric teams.
- 3rd Place Overall
- 2nd in Endurance
- 3rd in Autocross
- 5th in Acceleration
- 8th in Design
- 13th in Project Management
The team's car featured a top speed of approximately 80 mph and 107 horsepower. Key highlights included a custom battery with a fully custom battery management system, an electronics control unit and a dashboard. The car's 4130 Chromoly Space Frame, front push-rod and rear pull-rod suspension, as well as a one-piece carbon fiber nose cone and floor, were standout features.
Engineering Excellence
The Zips Racing Electric Design Team's success is a result of their meticulous application of engineering principles and innovative solutions. They utilized their knowledge of aerodynamics, powertrain and materials engineering to design and build a competitive electric race car. The team's ability to pass technical inspections, such as the brake test and rain test, on the first attempt is a testament to their rigorous testing and attention to detail.
“As we stood on the podium, we not just celebrated a victory, but the resilience and spirit of our team. It’s not just about how we placed, but the battle it took to get there. The people of this team have shown incredible amounts of passion, dedication and spirit, and we had a tremendous amount of support from our university and community. We were incredibly proud to have represented ourselves and The University of Akron with such distinction.” - Kaylee Leggett, Zips Racing Electric 2023-24 team captain
Teamwork and Leadership
Both the Zips Aero and Zips Racing Electric teams thrive on teamwork and strong leadership, and faculty advisors Dr. Gregory Morscher (Zips Aero) and Dr. Alper Buldum (Zips Racing Electric) provide invaluable guidance and support.
Join the Journey
For students interested in a student design team, The University of Akron offers a supportive environment where creativity and technical skills can flourish. Learn more about the College of Engineering and Polymer Science’s student design teams.
RELATED CONTENT:
- Learn more about the academic programs at our College.
- More news from the College of Engineering and Polymer Science.
Story by CEPS Marketing.
Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or cboyd@uakron.edu.