Team Aberdeen University Racing is a society at the University of Aberdeen made up of undergraduate students from a variety of degree disciplines that spend the academic year with the aim of designing and building a single-seater racing car to compete against other international universities in the IMeche Formula Student competition.
The TAU Racing society was originally formed in 2007 consisting of only 10 members. Since then, the team has grown to have over 60 members, who are all key to the smooth running of the society and the development of the TAU vehicle. The entirety of the project is student led through the research, design, building and most importantly the racing.
Through building the vehicle, it helps students consolidate what is learnt in class, and helps them apply that in a real life engineering challenge. Other skills such as problem solving, project management and business planning are also developed, such skills and qualities that are highly sought after in the workplace.
Recently the team has taken on two research and development projects with the intent to implement in future teams, the first is a hybrid monocoque chassis, that consists of a front half that is made from an aluminium honeycomb sandwich panel, and a rear half made from a steel space frame chassis.
This project aims to be the team’s progression into a full monocoque chassis, and potentially a carbon monocoque chassis in the future in preparation for a move to a full EV vehicle.
The second project that the team has undertaken is research into the use of recycled composite materials in our vehicle. As there is an increasing importance regarding sustainability and our effect on climate change, the team has begun to research into the use of both naturally sourced fibre and recycled composite materials to be implemented onto our bodywork and aerodynamic devices.
The team has already begun implementing the use of flax fibres into certain parts of the bodywork, while recycled carbon fibre material, is being tested to find out whether it can be implemented into the use of our undertray.
In line with the team's desire to make more sustainable choices, the team has begun implementing the use of flax fibres into certain parts of the bodywork such as the seat. The team also wishes to further reduce any waste resulted from any manufacturing. With this aim in mind we are currently researching the use of recycled carbon fibre. This involves testing cured panels to find out whether it can be implemented into the use of our current undertray.
Our aim every year is to design, manufacture and promote a single seat race car to compete in the annual IMeche Formula Student competition at Silverstone Circuit.
The Institute of Mechanical Engineers aims for all participating students to gain experience not only in engineering design and manufacturing but also project management, marketing, and budgeting, challenged through the different static and dynamics events offered at the competition. Furthermore, we also get the chance to work with industry professionals and create a good networking bond.
