Supercapacitor Dragster

    • Design and Power System Development

      • Replace the CO2 system with a supercapacitor-based power system to improve efficiency, reusability, and performance in the Rachel Carson MS engineering program.

    • Modular Control Box & Integration

      • Design a modular control box with motor drivers and a Bluetooth-enabled Arduino to allow for easy transfer of the system between different student-built dragsters, reducing overall hardware costs.

      • Ensure interoperability between various chassis configurations and standardize motor connections and control protocols.

    • Aerodynamic Design & Testing

      • Engineer an aerodynamic shell to optimize downforce and drag at high speeds, improving stability and cornering performance during drag races.

    • User Interface & Remote Operation

      • Develop a Bluetooth app to remotely control and synchronize multiple dragsters for racing events.

  • Design lead; solo project

  • April 2020 - June 2021

    • Onshape Enterprise

    • Computational Fluid Dynamics

    • Circuit design

    • Arduino

    • FDM 3D printing

  • Results

    • Demonstrated use of aerodynamic concepts with diffuser, rear wing, side skirts, canards, and a front splitter

    • Allowed for hardware reusability within the program by eliminating the need for single-use Carbon Dioxide canisters

Design Process

Identifying Limitations of CO₂ System

  • Recognized the single-use nature of CO₂ canisters as costly and wasteful.

  • Explored alternative propulsion methods, focusing on supercapacitors for reusability and controlled energy discharge.

  1. 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.

  2. 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 to allow multiple teams to reuse the system with different vehicle designs.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Testing & Performance Validation

    • Conducted track tests to measure acceleration, stability, and power efficiency.

    • Refined calibration protocols to optimize capacitor discharge timing and ensure repeatable performance.

Demonstration of the bluetooth remote trigger on an early prototype

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

Demonstration of the control box with four supercapacitors detached from the chassis, showcasing modular design and easy interchangeability.