PrISUm
Encyclopedia
Team PrISUm is the multidisciplinary student-run solar car racing
team from Iowa State University
that designs and builds solar powered vehicles to compete in the American Solar Challenge
(ASC). The club was founded in 1989 by a group of engineering honor students from Tau Beta Pi
and was simply known as the ISU Solar Car Project. In 1990, the team adopted the name of its first car, PrISUm.
.
campus and welcomes students from all majors interested in working on any aspect of the diverse project. The team has three distinct divisions that are each necessary for successfully designing, racing, and teaching the public about solar cars.
Solar car racing
Solar car racing refers to competitive races of electric vehicles which are powered by solar energy obtained from solar panels on the surface of the car . The first solar car race was the Tour de Sol in 1985 which led to several similar races in Europe, USA and Australia...
team from Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
that designs and builds solar powered vehicles to compete in the American Solar Challenge
American Solar Challenge
The American Solar Challenge , previously known as Sunrayce, the American Solar Challenge, and the North American Solar Challenge, is a solar car race across the United States and Canada. In the race, teams from colleges and universities throughout North America design, build, test, and race...
(ASC). The club was founded in 1989 by a group of engineering honor students from Tau Beta Pi
Tau Beta Pi
The Tau Beta Pi Association is the oldest engineering honor society in the United States and the second oldest collegiate honor society in America. It honors engineering students who have shown a history of academic achievement as well as a commitment to personal and professional integrity...
and was simply known as the ISU Solar Car Project. In 1990, the team adopted the name of its first car, PrISUm.
Achievements
- Since 1989, Team PrISUm has built and raced 10 different cars and is the only team to have qualified and raced a new vehicle for all the American Solar ChallengeAmerican Solar ChallengeThe American Solar Challenge , previously known as Sunrayce, the American Solar Challenge, and the North American Solar Challenge, is a solar car race across the United States and Canada. In the race, teams from colleges and universities throughout North America design, build, test, and race...
races. - Team PrISUm made the first solar car from the state of Iowa with its entrance in the 1990 GM Sunrayce USA.
Future
Team members are currently in the design stage for their 11th car, which will compete in the 2012 American Solar ChallengeAmerican Solar Challenge
The American Solar Challenge , previously known as Sunrayce, the American Solar Challenge, and the North American Solar Challenge, is a solar car race across the United States and Canada. In the race, teams from colleges and universities throughout North America design, build, test, and race...
.
Team Composition
Team PrISUm consists of about 40 team members from the Iowa State UniversityIowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
campus and welcomes students from all majors interested in working on any aspect of the diverse project. The team has three distinct divisions that are each necessary for successfully designing, racing, and teaching the public about solar cars.
- The Electrical Team is responsible for designing and building the battery system, solar array, power electronics, controls and software for the car.
- The Mechanical Team is responsible for the design, testing, and fabrication of the outside shell of the vehicle and all the mechanical components for the car.
- The Business Team is responsible fundraising, project budgeting, outreach, recruiting, and media.
Cars by year
- 1990: ‘’PrISUm’’: GM Sunrayce USA: Placed 17 out of 34; Best Teamwork, Day 7; Most Improved, Day 5
- 1993: ‘’PrISUm II’’: Sunrayce: Placed 10 out of 36
- 1995: ‘’PrISUm CYnergy’’: Sunrayce: Placed 19 out of 38; an accident at over 45mph on the last day totaled the car, but left the driver with only a minor leg fracture
- 1997: ‘’PrISUm ExCYtor’’: Sunrayce: Placed 26 out of 36
- 1999: ‘’PrISUm Phoenix’’: Sunrayce: Qualified 1st place, Finished 5 out of 29; Formula Sun: 4th place finish
- 2001: ‘’PrISUm Odyssey’’: ASC: Placed 16 out of 30
- 2003: ‘’PrISUm Spectrum’’: ASC: Placed 18 out of 20
- 2005: ‘’PrISUm Fusion’’: Formula Sun: 1st place in stock class; 2nd place overall; NASC: Placed 11 out of 20; 3rd place in Stock Class
- 2008: ‘’PrISUm Sol Invictus’’: NASC: Placed 8th out of 15
- 2010: "PrISUm Anthelion": FSGP: Placed 4th out of 10; ASC: Placed 11th out of 13