I'm Henry
Kellogg, an ME undergraduate senior and the owner of an electric cargo
bike business called LionTail Cycles, and I'm looking for people who
want to build what I believe will be the best utility bicycle EVER. It
would feature an advanced, lightweight carbon-fiber frame; an electric
assist with regenerative braking; a battery with a 50+ mile range and a 5
year warranty; cargo capacity and even the ability to carry an adult
passenger; a powerful light system with turn signals; a wind & rain
fairing; a wheelbase small enough to fit on a bus bike rack; and more.
The
team would compete in UW's Environmental Innovation Challenge, and
would receive $2,000+ of funding, incredible mentorship and networking
opportunities, and the chance to win up to $10,000 in prize money.
I have 2 roles that I think would be best filled by an EE major:
Battery Design, Construction, and Management
- The bike would use 18650 lithium cells, similar to those used in many
electric cars (notably, the Tesla Model S). The Tesla offers an 8 year
warranty on its battery pack, while most electric bicycle batteries last
less than 3 years - and yet they use very similar cells. I'm looking
for someone who will help me select the battery, tune the system to
interface with this battery properly, and develop a charging solution
that will maximize the battery's lifespan.
Controls -
An electric bike contains a motor that assists the rider's pedaling
efforts. This motor can be activated in many ways, and very few electric
bikes have a smooth, reliable means of motor activation. In addition to
motor activation, this bicycle will feature a light system and
potentially other electrical components. I'm looking for someone who
will help design and implement the controls of this bicycle's electrical
components, which include motor, lights, and other parts.
EE students can usually earn EE 499 credit for these projects.
If you're interested, please email me ASAP at henry@liontails.com.
