Blue Ridge Numerics, creators of CFdesign upfront CFD software, has announced its 2009-2010 Collegiate Competition Sponsorship Program. The Charlotte, N.C. firm provides free licenses of CFdesign software to student teams in selected competitions. By providing access to CFdesign, Blue Ridge aims to help engineering students accelerate innovation and gain real-world experience that will help them in their future careers.

As a part of the Collegiate Competition Sponsorship Program, Blue Ridge Numerics will provide free commercial grade CFdesign licenses and access to technical support to all teams that qualify. Students will have access to the newest version of the software, CFdesign 2010, which was released in September 2009. The new version will provide students with an easier interface and new features to help them easily integrate CFD into their design process.

Using CFdesign software, student teams can create multi-scenario fluid flow and heat transfer design studies as a part of their CAD-driven design process. Teams working on creating a hybrid vehicle, for example, can leverage CFdesign to optimize airflow through an engine intake design or create a cooling system for a lithium ion (Li-Ion) battery pack (as in the example from Penn State below). For teams working on a solar design, CFdesign can be used to simulate both heat transfer within a solar panel and wind loading on the panel. Upfront CFD can help students optimize their designs quickly and easily and enable them to look at options they may not have thought of before.

“The Penn State Advanced Vehicle Technology Team sought out CFdesign to design and simulate an effective cooling network for a Li-ion battery pack to be included in our EcoCar vehicle design,” said Shawn Getty, Penn State AVT Team Member. “Using CFdesign, our team was able to easily simulate the heat generation cycles of the battery pack to analyze and improve the design of the cooling system. This helped us to ensure peak battery performance throughout the life of the vehicle.”

Blue Ridge Numerics will be supporting the following competitions during the 2009-2010 school year.

• EcoCAR Challenge

• Formula Hybrid

• Formula SAE Series

• Baja SAE Series

• Formula Student

• North American Solar Challenge

• Solar Decathlon

Teams interested in learning more about becoming a CFdesign Sponsored team can view: http://www.cfdesign.com/Academic/Collegiate-Sponsorships-Request.aspx

Blue Ridge Numerics Inc.
www.cfdesign.com

::Design World::

Source: :: Design World ::