About Challenge X
The University of Tulsa is one of only seventeen
universities nationwide selected to participate in Challenge X, an engineering
competition sponsored by General Motors and the Department of Energy. It is one of many
advanced
vehicle technology competitions managed by Argonne National Laboratory.
The goal of the competition is to "re-engineer a GM crossover sport utility
vehicle to minimize energy consumption, emissions, and greenhouse
gases while maintaining or exceeding the vehicle's utility and
performance".
There are two engineering classes supporting TU's Challenge
X effort: ES 3861, Special Topics Seminar - Challenge X (taught by Dr.
Christi Patton Luks, Dr. Daniel Crunkleton, and Dr. John Henshaw) , and ME
4043, Automotive Design (taught by Dr. John Henshaw and Dr. Robert
Strattan). Tulsa's Challenge X team is partially sponsored by TU's Hurricane Motorworks.
Year 1 (2004-2005)- Modeling and Design
In the first year, designs were submitted to GM by each school. The best proposals won part donations from the Challenge X sponsors.
TU ChX earned a Chevy Equinox, a Ballard IPT electric motor, and a GM diesel engine.
Year 2 (2005-2006)- Vehicle Construction
During this phase, teams worked on implementing the designs that they had created. In June, the teams met at the GM Desert Proving Grounds
near Phoenix, Arizona to undergo many rigorous vehicle tests.
Year 3 (2006-2007)- Ninety-nine Percent Buy-off
By the end of the third year, each vehicle was required to have achieved "Ninety-Nine Percent Buy-off". Ninety-Nine Percent Buy-off means that the
vehicle is practically completed in terms of aesthetics both inside and outside, as well as vehicle performance.
Year 4 (2007-2008)- Media Extravaganza
In this final year of Challenge X, a series of media relations events was scheduled throughout the year. At the beginning of the winter,
the teams took their vehicles to Sacramento, California, where they met Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jay Leno. At the end, the teams
participated in a road rally from Newark, NJ to Washington, D.C., passing through New York, NY and Baltimore, MD.