Replace CO2 cartridges in a middle school engineering program with a rechargeable supercapacitor system. Design a modular control box with motor drivers and Bluetooth Arduino for easy transfer between chassis, and develop a Bluetooth app for remote control across multiple dragsters.
AssembliesCircuitsMechanismsRobotics

Role

Design Lead — Solo project. Led all aspects of mechanical design, electrical system integration, aerodynamic development, and software implementation.

Apr 2020 - Nov 2020
Eliminated single-use CO2 canisters with a rechargeable supercapacitor system, enabling hardware reuse across the program and cutting recurring costs. Implemented aerodynamic package including diffuser, rear wing, side skirts, canards, and front splitter.

Software & Remote Control Implementation

  • Developed a Bluetooth control app to enable synchronized launching of multiple dragsters for racing.

  • Programmed Arduino firmware to handle motor control, capacitor charging, and discharge sequencing for consistent acceleration.

Demonstration of the bluetooth remote on an early prototype

Power System Development

  • Selected and tested supercapacitor configurations to optimize energy storage and discharge rates for high-speed acceleration

  • Designed a custom motor control circuit integrating motor drivers, a Bluetooth-enabled Arduino, and power regulation components

Modular Control Box Design

  • Developed a transplantable control box in Fusion 360, defining chassis constraints and standardized mounting points for student-built dragsters

  • Ensured plug-and-play compatibility so multiple teams could reuse the system across different vehicle designs

Circuit map of the vehicle

Aerodynamic Optimization

  • Designed a streamlined body shell integrating a diffuser, rear wing, side skirts, canards, and a front splitter to enhance stability and high-speed performance.

  • Conducted CFD simulations in SimScale, validating airflow behavior, including the upward curvature of air particles after the diffuser.

CFD simulation validating aerodynamic performance—note the upward airflow curvature after the diffuser, enhancing rear-end stability.

CFD simulation validating aerodynamic performance. Note the upward airflow curvature after the diffuser, enhancing rear-end stability