THOMASIANS are looking forward to competing against top technological schools in Asia next year following the cancellation of this year’s region-wide Shell Eco Marathon-Asia (SEM).
The SEM is an annual competition that promotes fuel efficiency with vehicles designed to travel the longest distance with the least amount of energy possible.
In a letter sent to UST, SEM-Asia Regional Project Manager Frank Saing explained that the event was cancelled due to the “worsening air quality with heavy haze” in Kuala Lumpur, where the race was supposed to take place from July 4 to 7. The haze was caused by forest fires in neighboring Indonesia.
The marathon will be held in February 2014 at Rizal Park in Manila.
Department of Mechanical Engineering Chair Nelson Pasamonte said the team was quite disappointed but was looking forward to improving the University’s vehicle, the “Thomasian 400-Hybrid” (T400H), for next year’s race.
Vehicles are classified into two categories: the urban-concept type similar to ordinary cars and prototypes which come in free design.
Next year, more than 1,500 students from 18 Asian countries are expected to run their vehicles built on the concept of “smarter mobility” or “innovative ways to move more people and goods, safely, cost-effectively and with reduced impact on the environment.”
UST was one of the pioneers of SEM-Asia in 2010, but was not able to participate last year due to its decision to hold a two-year preparation for this year.
Thomasian 400-H
Students made the University’s prototype car for five months, Pasamonte said. It will be run alternately by an engine and a motor called the “hybrid system” that will make the car move at a faster speed.The team leader was sent to last year’s marathon to observe the vehicles of the different teams as part of their preparation for the creation of T400H, which was shipped to Malaysia last month for inspection.
Team Manager Rogelio Almira Jr. said the team would make improvements on UST’s prototype. The team plans to attach an electronic fuel injection (EFI) that will make the engine more fuel-efficient.
“Hindi kasi namin nakabit iyong EFI dahil sa kakulangan ng oras so by this time makakabit na iyon. Kasi iyong makina namin medyo malakas kumain ng gasolina. With the EFI mas mapapatipid iyong pag-consume ng fuel,” he said.
Record to beat
In 2010, UST set a record of 198 kilometers per liter (km/L) which it failed to beat in 2011. Last year, the longest mileage recorded for the prototype category in Asia was 2,903 km/L, by students of Thailand’s Dhurakij Pubdit University.
Pasamonte is optimistic that UST will improve in next year’s race. The team expects to break its own record and the Philippine record of 255 km/L held by De La Salle University’s “Proto,” which won the “Technical Innovation Award” last year.
“Aside from the hybrid system, the car is lighter and more nimble in the corners for better driving performance. Hopefully, we will do well na kahit ‘yung record lang ng Philippines ma-break natin,” he said.
The modification of “Tiger 400” that was used in 2011 to T400H was fully funded by the University. Toyota Motor Incorporated, Welders Testing Laboratories, Global Medical Solutions and Filconfab sponsored the miscellaneous expenses of the team.
Almira anticipates more sponsors for next year’s race, since it will be held in the country. Sponsors are expected to support all proposed improvements to UST’s prototype and help build another car for the urban-type category.
Other Philippines schools that were supposed to join the marathon were Mapua Institute of Technology, Don Bosco Technical College, Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Manila, De La Salle University-Manila, University of San Carlos-Cebu and Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila and Quezon City. Lord Bien G. Lelay
