SAINT THOMAS ACADEMY’S EXPERIMENTAL VEHICLE TEAM UNVEILS SAFER ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE AT MIT

 
MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn., June 26, 2008 – Saint Thomas Academy’s Experimental Vehicle Team unveiled its latest invention, a safer electric motorcycle, today at EurekaFest at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Mass. The Academy’s students developed the motorcycle to have a minimal carbon footprint, be easy and fun to drive, and provide better impact protection than mainstream motorcycles.

“Transportation accounts for 28 percent of energy consumption in our country and is the second largest household expense,” said Tom Lenertz ’08 of Rosemount and co-student director of the team. “The country’s need for more fuel-efficient transportation is huge. Since the average U.S. commute is 14.5 miles one way, the safer electric motorcycle could be a practical and efficient means of transportation.”

Backed by a $10,000 InvenTeams grant from the Lemelson-MIT Program, the Academy’s Experimental Vehicle Team applied its knowledge of physics, electrical systems, engines and molds to develop the lithium-phosphate-ion-powered motorcycle that travels 60 miles an hour for 40+ miles before needing to be recharged by an on-board 110-volt charger. “Crush zones” formed by compressible materials, and other safety features protect the driver by keeping him inside the vehicle in a collision. The motorcycle is in the process of being registered with the state of Minnesota.

Saint Thomas Academy is one of 16 high schools in the country that received a 2007-2008 InvenTeams grant to identify a real-world problem and invent a practical solution. Saint Thomas Academy was one of four teams that presented today. All of the InvenTeams participated in the InvenTeams Odyssey Showcase, part of the Lemelson-MIT Program's, EurekaFest a multi-day celebration designed to empower a legacy of inventors through activities that inspire youth, honor role models, and encourage creativity and problem solving.

“Developing the safer electric motorcycle has been the highlight of my high school career,” said John Moran ’08 of Edina and co-student director of the EVT. “We’ve all learned skills that we can take to college and into engineering careers. It’s been inspiring and challenging to learn and apply real-world engineering skills to school work.”

Throughout the development process, the team faced trials and challenges that resulted in modifications. For a summary of the team’s work, visit www.staevt.com for monthly recaps.

“I’m really proud of the team and all that it accomplished this year,” said Mark Westlake, physics teacher and team moderator. “This was no small task and they stepped up to overcome the challenges they encountered along the way.”

The 2007-2008 EVT included 17 boys from Saint Thomas Academy and two girls from the Convent of the Visitation School. The team was comprised of one freshman, three sophomores, eight juniors and seven seniors.

Past teams have built a one-person car that got more than 1,300 mpg, an electric car that traveled 50 miles on two car batteries, a solar bike averaging 30 mph, and a street-legal solar car that raced from Texas to California. The teams have won eight National Championships, set numerous national records, and have been featured in Popular Mechanics and on Dragonfly TV.