MONTHLY NEWSLETTER | PSEM
GREEN LETTER RENEWAL AND REINFORCEMENT OF TEAM The renewal and reinforcement of the team is essential. It is necessary to transmit all the knowledge and experience of the older members to the new elements of the team so that they can contribute to the project in an effective way with new ideas and solutions.
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Thus, the recruits were assigned various tasks, guided by a more experient team member: • a thermal box capable of heating the batteries to improve their performance; • a test bench for simulating rolling friction; • a solution for lowering the seat height of GP17; • a support for the carbon fibre rolls. In this way, we expect the recruits to feel more part of the team and more motivated to the tasks they will have to perform as team members.
In this regard, on the 7th, 9th and 10th of November we started the recruitment process for the team. The first day was dedicated essentially to the area of electronics, where the team needs more reinforcements. These meetings were a presentation of the project and an evaluation of interest in recruits in different areas.
“COMING TOGETHER IS A BEGINNING. KEEPING TOGETHER IS PROGRESS. WORKING TOGETHER IS SUCCESS.” - HENRY FORD
COORDINATOR’S REMARKS After the fourth year of participation in the international competitions by GreenPower Education Trust in the United Kingdom, PSEM is now ready to start another season. This year the team will dedicate itself to perfecting the GP17, the prototype which we took to the competitions and whose project won by the third consecutive year the Siemens Engineering and Design Award. With the engine and batteries supplied by the organization and, consequently, equal for all participants, the objective is to make as many laps as possible in the space of an hour, taking full advantage of the capacity of the batteries.
the recruitment of new members to the team. In addition to this, in the awards ceremony the team presented the GP17 and the results achieved in the last season in the Noble Hall, at Instituto Superior Técnico. In the coming weeks, the team will focus on the changes that we intend to do in the prototype to start testing it on-track. The changes will be mostly on the electronic systems of the car, mainly on the refrigeration system of the batteries and the motor, and on the aerodynamic structures which surround the rear wheels.
In the months after the last competition, the project initiated
“ THIS YEAR THE TEAM WILL DEDICATE ITSELF TO PERFECTING THE GP17”
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER | PSEM
INÊS AGULHEIRO
OUR SPONSORS OPTIMAL STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS The partnership with Optimal Structural Solutions has been fundamental for the success of the project. Optimal is a Portuguese company that develops advanced solutions in the area of composites. Thanks to its contribution, it was possible to construct a rigid structure in carbon fiber as complex as that of the GP17 monocoque. The knowledge that was acquired by the members of the PSEM team during the collaboration
with Optimal allowed us to manufacture composite materials by a resin infusion process and wet lay-up autonomously. In addition to all the material they provided us, Optimal also offered its facilities and made available to us the whole experience of its team. We are pleased to announce that this year PSEM continues to work with this company, hoping to meet and exceed the expectations we have set.
“IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO LEARN WITH OPTIMAL” MONTHLY NEWSLETTER | PSEM
OUR SPONSORS SANTANDER UNIVERSIDADES On the 24th of October PSEM attended an event organized by Santander Universities with the intent of showcasing and presenting the GP17 for the first time. Santander Universidades awarded PSEM in regards to the TecInnov Competiton 2016/2017 edition and the CA2ECTécnico (a contest regarding the support of extracurricular activities by students from Instituto Superior Técnico). It is with great honour and responsibility that we commend these awards, given that they showcase the trust rested in our
project by Santander Universities as well as the financial support to achieve this season’s goals. A big part of the financial resources will be channelled towards satisfying the operational and logistical needs faced by the team along the season, such as the transportation of the team members to the events. It will also help in funding parallel but important projects, such as a 3D printer being developed by us. With that in mind, we couldn’t be any more grateful to Santander Universities to their contributions and support.
“IT IS WITH HONOR AND RESPONSABILITY THAT WE FACE THESES DISTINCTIONS”
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER | PSEM
MORE NEWS... SHOWCASING THE GP17 On the 31st of October at Salão Nobre in Instituto Superior Técnico, we showcased the GP17 to our sponsors, colleagues, teachers and all the ones interested in the project. The team’s previous vicecoordenator, João Dias, started the presentation by highlighting the most important aspects of the previous season, mentioning the results achieved in the 2016/2017 season, with the crown jewel being the 6th place and the October final in
Rockingham and the engineering awards given by the Institute of Engineering and Technology. The vice-president of financial management for IST, Professor Luis Castro, highlighted the importance of the extracurricular activities during his intervention. The showcase ended with an intervention by the new team coordinator, Inês Agulheiro, stating that “In the future, we want to continue to improve”. It was followed by the new presentation video of PSEM and culminated with a coffee break by 4kfood.
“IN THE FUTURE, WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE”
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER | PSEM
GETTING TO KNOW THE TEAM INTERVIEW
“WHEN THE TARGET OBJECTIVE IS ACHIEVED, AND BEING ABLE TO DO IT WITH PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PASSION FOR ENGINEERING AS YOU, MAKES IT ALL EVEN BETTER”
As described by him, the last season was particularly challenging for the whole team. However, those same challenges were the fuel motivating him to remain a member of the team.
ALEXANDRE CHÍCHARO A member of the team since last season, Alexandre is a Mechanical Engineering student and is now writing his thesis. His motivation to join PSEM was the practical application of the knowledge his degree has given him. Given his dedication and hardwork he is now responsible for the mechanical conception of our prototype, showcasing his resilience and passion for engineering.
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER | PSEM
He states that his ability to face adversities was tailored for the most part by his journey through IST, leaving him prepared to face the difficulties he finds along his academic and professional path. However, when questioned about the future after completing his degree, he isn’t capable of giving a definitive answer but leaves a guarantee that he wants to work as close as what he does currently at PSEM. We wish the best for Alexandre and hope he’s able to guide the Mechanical Design department of the GP17 to great success.
cor uto pintura e técnica automóvel
SERRALHARIA MECÂNICA DA TROFA