Meet the CSU Vehicle Innovation Team
Colorado State University's Vehicle Innovation Team (CSU VIT) combines 33 students who are dedicated to developing and building innovative green automotive technologies with decades of experience in automotive and energy research. This diverse team brings expertise and experience to the project in a variety of fields including manufacturing, systems engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and design. The team works out of the CSU Motorsports Engineering Research Center, which supports students in the fields of vehicle dynamics, vehicle structures and materials, vehicle aerodynamics, and power-train system design and vehicle-level control.
Meet the Team:
Team Leaders
Dr. Thomas Bradley
Dr. Thomas H. Bradley is Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Colorado State University. He has earned BS and MS degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California " Davis, and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology with an emphasis in systems engineering and decision support. Primary research interests include the design of automotive, aerospace and energy systems; integrated controls and design optimization; and the validation of engineering design methods. Prior to his academic career, Bradley was sole proprietor of an independent consulting company, performing hybrid electric vehicle design and control modeling for the Electric Power Research Institute in support of vehicle development programs at Ford, Daimler Chrysler and BAE Systems. Specific expertise relative to the proposed project includes: the development of tools and methodologies for design, assessment and optimization of energy and powerplant systems and hybrid vehicles.
Jason Quinn
Dr. Jason Quinn is a research scientist in the department of Mechanical Engineering at Colorado State University. He has earned a M.S. in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Ph.D. inMechanical Engineeringfrom Colorado State University. His research interests are focused on alternative energy and sustainability assessment with current focuses in microalgae biofuels.
Benjamin Geller:
Benjamin Geller is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering with a focus on hybrid vehicle design methods. His previous work includes plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) evaluation at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), hybrid technology modeling at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and design of a hydraulic hybrid retrofit for heavy diesels at Colorado State University.
Matthew Fox
As agraduate studentpursuing his M.S. inmechanical engineering, Matt is deeply interested in developing solutions to societal challenges. Towards this end, Matt’s research focuses on improved system level design methodologies to achieve energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and economically feasible designs. Matt is interested in the development of decision support systems that communicate engineering tradeoffs to decision makers. As CSU’s GRA for the EcoCar2 competition his research focuses on decision support systems for advanced hybrid vehicle design through modeling and optimization. Matt is also interested in integrated control strategy development and optimization of CSU’s EcoCar2 vehicle. Matt received his B.S in Mechanical Engineering from CSU in 2010.
Powertrain
The goal of the powertrain team is to develop the means to convert electrical energy from a vehicle’s batteries into the movement of the vehicle. An electric motor mounted to a single speed transmission will propel the 2013 ChevroletMalibuand make regenerative braking possible. The powertrain will be efficient and compact, powering the car just as well as a conventional gas engine.
PhilipKarlberg(Team Lead):
Philip Karlberg has been interested in engineering and vehicle design since his high school days. In college, Karlberg has worked on projects with mechanical, electrical and manufacturing components. He chose a mechanical engineering degree so he can pursue a career in designing high performance vehicles.
Caleb Alvarado (Budget Coordinator/ Cooling Systems Lead):
Caleb Alvarado has always been interested in sports cars, but after coming to CSU, he has developed an interest in alternative energy for vehicles. While in college, Alvarado has worked with mechanical, electrical, and thermodynamic systems as well as math and CAD programs used by working engineers. His post-college career goals are to work on hybrid electric vehicle systems.
StevenSewell(CAD/CFD Analysis Lead):
Steven Sewell has always been interested in mechanical systems but developed a special interest in turbine engine research and design after coming to CSU. From all the projects he has worked on, Sewell says he has gained the most from his experience working with multiple CAD programs. Sewell has also worked with some CFD programs, and has worked on projects involving manufacturing processes, mechanical design, and electrical components. His post college career goals include working in fields related to turbine engine research and design.
Zack Beikmann (Hardware in the Loop and vehicle analysis):
Since middle school, Zack Beikmann has always been interested in anything mechanical, from high performance cars to manufacturing plants. Beikmann says he’s always enjoyed doing hands-on projects. From all of the projects he has been involved with at CSU, Beikmann says he has gained the most from his experience working with several different CAD programs, analysis methods, and manufacturing. His post college career goals are to work with heavy equipment design or in the auto industry.
Travis Stroth:
Travis Stroth has been a part of many great projects in his time at CSU, including designing and manufacturing mechanisms such as a cam and rocker arm, as well as a climbing mechanism that won the “best design” award in a design competition. Stroth has also designed, programmed, and built an automated drink mixer and built an entire exterior model of a Nissan race car in Pro Engineer. Stroth is on the powertrain team for the Eco Car 2 challenge and is the simulation leader for the team. He has always been interested in working in the automotive field and is very excited to learn more about working in the simulation phase of the car design process.
Energy Storage Team
Energy storage involves the design and implementation of the battery packs, packaging, cooling, charging, etc. The team is working on implementing a hydrogen fuel cell in the car to extend the performance of our batteries; as a separate system, the hydrogen fuel cell requires its own sensors, storage, and a whole slew of additional safety concerns. By the end of the year, the team will have tested and developed a complete energy storage system that can efficiently and effectively power any modern day production vehicle.
Matt Zevenbergen:
Is a senior Mechanical Engineering student at CSU. He has always been interested and involved in building and design competitions. He hopes to apply the knowledge gained from this competition and his experience in the field of robotics to a career in the aerospace field.
Jonathan Long:
In addition to his experience as an electrician, Jonathan is currently in an internship with Covidien developing proprietary wireless devices.Having come from a background of being a trade electrician, electrical engineering was the next evolutionary step.In the future, he hopes to focus on embedded systems, digital design, and VLSI, with aspirations to work on cutting-edge technologies there in.
Shawn Salisbury:
Shawn has been interested and involved in fixing and rebuilding vehicles his whole life. He has recently become concerned with alternative energies and architectures for vehicles. In the future, he hopes to apply this interest and knowledge to a career in the field of vehicle innovation.
Jon Miksch:
Is a senior Mechanical Engineer at Colorado State. Jon is interested in aerospace or a laser and plasma based means of propulsion for spacecraft.He is excited to apply the knowledge gained from the EcoCar 2 competition for a future career in the advanced energy field.
Zachary Koelling:
Zach is interested in alternative energy uses and production; he likes to show people what amazing things we can do with the technology that we have now. In the future he hopes to become involved in research and development for the energy sources that will help create a more eco-friendly world.
Jonathan Bullock:
Jonathan's educational interests tend to lean toward computer science, and he would like to work as a firmware engineer. He looks forward to applying his experiences with EcoCAR 2 toward making his career goals a reality.
Controls
The controls team is developing a supervisory controller and control strategy for CSU’s EcoCAR 2 project. The team is tasked with developing and implementing an energy management strategy for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, as well as systems monitoring and fault mitigation strategies. By the end of year one, a functioning controller will be delivered and ready to be installed in a vehicle.
James Abington:
James Abington is a mechanical engineering student at Colorado State University and expects to graduate in May of 2012. His professional background began in the automotive industry, working as a mechanic and in sales. After seven years, Abington decided to try something new and found work in industrial research and development. It was in this new field that he worked closely with a team of engineers from around the world – an experience that has driven him to complete an engineering degree and pursue a career in product design and development.
Patrick Barrett:
Patrick Barrett is a senior mechanical engineering major at Colorado State University. All of the knowledge and experience he has gained throughout his life is now culminating in the EcoCAR 2 project. During his work at CSU, Barrett has been lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to work with companies such as Woodward, Wolf Robotics, and VanDyne SuperTurbo. After he graduates, Barrett plans on pursuing a career in controls or robotics.
Chris Hargett:
Chris Hargett has earned a reputation as the “zany member” of the EcoCAR 2 project. A mechanical engineering major and business minor at CSU, Hargett spent seven years in various fields ranging from bartender and mechanic to geotechnical field tester and mail handler before coming to college. Realizing that education was critical for him to achieve his goals, Hargett came to school with a desire to land a job in project management or technical sales.
Kasey Ackerman:
Kasey Ackerman is currently in his senior year in the mechanical engineering program at Colorado State University. He has an associate’s degree in automotive technology from Aims Community College with two years of field experience as a technician. After graduation, he plans on pursuing a graduate degree in mechanical engineering with an emphasis on control systems.
Mohammad Malakoutirad:
Mohammad Malakoutirad works on designing and modeling architecture for the EcoCAR 2 competition. His main interest is in hybrid electric vehicle design and fuel cell technology. A graduate student at CSU, Malakoutirad worked as a supervisory engineer atthe Damavandpower plant inIran before coming to CSU. Malakoutirad also has experience working in electrical, mechanical, and plumbing engineering consulting.
Thomas Kubic:
Thomas Kubic is currently working as an intern for Woodward in Loveland,Colorado. At Woodward, Kubic has developed tools and fixtures to be used for building actuators for large engine systems. Before this internship, Kubic designed, developed and built a 4”x4” CNC router machine rigid enough to cut through aluminum. His career goal is to work for a controls company developing more efficient equipment for use in the energy field.
Hassan Habib:
Hassan Habib is a mechanical engineering student atColorado State University. A citizen of Saudi Arabia, Habib has spent a year studying mechanical engineering in his home country before receiving a scholarship to continue his studies in the United States. Habib says he enjoys life inFort Collinsand plays soccer for theCSUclub team while he works towards completing his degree in mechanical engineering. After graduating, Habib plans on working for a year in the American automotive industry and hopes the experience will lead to landing a better job when he returns home toSaudi Arabia.
Accessories
The accessories team is responsible for designing, building, and testing electronic air-conditioning, regenerative braking, and electronic power steering for the EcoCAR 2 competition. The team also aims to implement thermo-electric cooling technology in the air conditioning system and climate controlled seats. The year-end goal for the auxiliary systems team is to earn hardware in the loop testing phase.
Cutter Shea:
Cutter Shea has a deep understanding of function that has directed his life towards mechanical engineering. Shea says he has thoroughly enjoyed his experiences streamlining brewery manufacturing processes and conducting tolerance checks 300 feet above the ground inside wind turbines. Shea sees the EcoCAR 2 project as an incredible opportunity to implement innovative green technology into the modern automobile.
Noel Marshall:
While attending CSU as a mechanical engineering major, Marshall holds a part-time position with Arrow Electronics where she provides design support and expertise for field application engineers. She also creates and maintains detailed SolidWorks libraries of product assemblies, mounting concepts, and wiring diagrams for LED solutions. Marshall says that automobiles are what inspired her to pursue a mechanical engineering degree, and she aspires to bring innovation through green technologies into the automotive industry.
