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Overcoming the barriers to sustainable motorsport
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Wood, Benjamin M. (2011) Overcoming the barriers to sustainable motorsport. EngD thesis, University of Warwick.
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WRAP_THESIS_Wood_2011.pdf - Submitted Version Download (2128Kb) | Preview |
Official URL: http://webcat.warwick.ac.uk/record=b2585801~S1
Abstract
The aim of this Engineering Doctorate was to identify and develop strategies and technologies
to overcome the barriers to sustainable motorsport. A top-down approach was taken
beginning with an industry-wide strategy and ending with the development of individual
sustainable technologies.
After identifying a set of target guidelines for the industry to follow, the economic, social and
environmental barriers to the future sustainability of motorsport were identified. These
barriers were addressed through the creation of an industry-wide regulatory strategy followed
by an innovative company-focussed technology development process; High Performance
Sustainability (HPS). The HPS process was used to develop Eco One, a revolutionary racing car
featuring environmentally sustainable technology which generated significant public
engagement and facilitated evaluation of the HPS process. This technology demonstrator was
used to make iterative improvements to the HPS process, resulting in HPS2, a second
generation process with greater focus on performance and the development of sustainable
technology.
This novel process was used to research and develop individual environmentally-sustainable
technologies; natural fibre reinforced composites and the use of high performance biodiesel.
Firstly lignin, a natural, renewable, waste material was added to hemp/epoxy composites as an
innovative compatibiliser with a resulting improvement in mechanical properties.
Secondly, engine parameters were modified for the use of biodiesel made from soybean oil,
resulting in torque equal to diesel fuel but with a lower in-cylinder pressure. The impact of
these technologies is the opportunity to use renewable materials for high performance
applications, potentially competing with existing motorsport technology.
The innovations presented in this Engineering Doctorate led to recognised expertise in
sustainable motorsport within WMG, and in turn resulted in sustainable motorsport projects
including WorldFirst, in which a Formula 3 car was developed featuring natural fibre
composites, high performance biodiesel and recycled carbon fibre components. The impacts
of this work are the establishment of industrial projects with race teams and constructors,
conference attendances and peer-reviewed publications, and dissemination of research
through the development of academic courses and extensive media coverage.
Item Type: | Thesis (EngD) | ||||
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Subjects: | T Technology > TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics | ||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Motorsports -- Environmental aspects, Sustainable engineering | ||||
Official Date: | November 2011 | ||||
Dates: |
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Institution: | University of Warwick | ||||
Theses Department: | Warwick Manufacturing Group | ||||
Thesis Type: | EngD | ||||
Publication Status: | Unpublished | ||||
Supervisor(s)/Advisor: | Kirwan, Kerry ; Maggs, Steve | ||||
Extent: | x, 122 leaves : illustrations, charts | ||||
Language: | eng |
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