Kumaraguru’s Team Sea Sakthi represent India at Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, second time in a row
Team Sea Sakthi from Kumarguru College of Technology (KCT) to represent India for the second time in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (MEBC) 2023. Organised by the prestigious Yacht Club De Monaco (YCM), MEBC 2023 is set to happen this year from 3rd-8th July. The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, a one-of-a-kind challenge, aspires to promote green innovation in the Yachting Industry. It encourages students and researchers to build a boat emphasizing zero-emission propulsion and sustainability. With no prior experience in marine systems and ocean technologies, Team Sea Sakthi, the marine arm of Kumaraguru Institutions had managed to build an electric catamaran last year. The Catamaran weighing less than 310kgs primarily powered by Lithium-Ion batteries and secondarily powered by solar panels. The team scripted history by becoming the first and only Indian team to take part in the MEBC. The team secured 6th position globally in the energy class. It also won the Communication Prize for being the most Popular Team in the contest. With over 20 Nations converging to create, innovate and present the future of marine transport, Team Sea Sakthi is ready to conquer the Monaco Waters again for the second time. The energy boat is undergoing transformational changes as Team Sea Sakthi is venturing into Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology with a strategy of winning the race for a sustainable future. “This will make the energy boat India’s first Hydrogen Powered Catamaran and also, would open doors for the students in the institution and region to venture into alternate energy storage systems,” S Kiranlal, Assistant Professor at KCT and representative of Team Sea Sakthi. He further added that Team Sea Sakthi, this year is also developing its own azimuth type high speed electric propulsion system, named “Propel-sone”. This propulsion system of Sea Sakthi would be the first azimuth type electric propulsion system to be introduced in the Indian market. At the moment, Team Sea Sakthi, is engaged in the fabrication phase and is manufacturing a monocoque type natural fibre fabricated cockpit under 20kgs. Anjana Prasad, Propulsion Analyst of Team Sea Sakthi said the team had no prior knowledge and experience in the marine systems and alternate energy storage systems just about a year ago. Now it holds a sub team that expertise in marine propulsions and fuel cell technologies. “Team Sea Sakthi holds a lot more for the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge 2023, because the Team believes, this is a race, we must win for a better and liveable tomorrow”, she said.
Sponsorship:
Team Sea Sakthi is currently slaying in the boat manufacturing phase and more engaged in seeking for the Patrons/Sponsors for this extensive project because fabricating an Energy boat enriched in new advancements with some initial costs is obviously not a plain sail. About the logistics, the team faces a big challenge as it would cost 15-20 lakh to transit the cockpit to Monaco and back and the total expenses for the project starting from registration, component purchase, building the boat, logistics, travel, and accommodation for the students at the event would be nearly Rs.55 lakhs. Team Sea Sakthi is looking for partners and sponsors to associate and by understanding these attributes align with the objective and vision of sponsoring companies. Team Sakthi invites to join them as the upriser by sloping upwards the team which is striving for its Country’s victory and for a sustainable future.
National Service Scheme (NSS) launched at Kumaraguru College of Liberal Arts and Science (KCLAS)
Two NSS units were inaugurated at KCLAS with a series of community outreach activities planned for the coming months. All the activities are focused towards ensuring quality education to the underprivileged and building a sustainable environment, both sustainable development goals laid down by the United Nations. Mr N Nagarajan, Program Officer, Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science, the chief guest for the event, motivated students to make use of the opportunities offered by NSS towards serving the community. Recalling the history of NSS in the country, Dr Nagarajan delved into the details of how a NSS unit can effectively operate in the villages around their campus. He asked students to make use of NSS as it gives opportunity to be part of national level events like the Republic Day camp and National Integration Camp. “Such camps will enable the students to meet students from across the country and network,” he said. Dr Vijila Edwin Kennedy asked students to engage in meaningful projects related to social work so that that there is deeper impact. She stressed on students taking up projects with specific objectives where they can measure the outcome. Asking students to be part of the impact creating initiatives, she asked students to try and engage in projects where there is scope for scientific research. This will enhance their scientific temperament. Students must collaborate with companies where there is scope for corporate social responsibility (CSR). “By engaging in projects where the government machinery and local authorities are involved, students can network and improve their contacts,” she said.
Kumaraguru Students put city on the map in National Level Motorsport events
Automotive teams of Kumaraguru College of Technology (KCT) stood apart in the student motor sport events organised by Fraternity of Mechanical and Automotive Engineers (FMAE). Three events namely Fraternity of Formula Student (FFS) for formula student cars, MOTO Student for student build motorcycles and Formula Kart Design Challenge (FKDC) for Go-Karts were held between 2nd and 6th February. Team Sakthi Racing, Team Zeall Racing and Team MotoKCT from Kumaraguru Institutions took part in the events. Team MOTOKCT took the top honours of their category with all the teams winning several prizes related to safety, build and finance. The students applied engineering skills acquired in the classroom to manufacture racing vehicles of their own design. With diverse learners from mechanical, automobile, electronics and other backgrounds, there is increased focus on collaboration and peer-learning. Participation in such events enables students to practise engineering and take their understanding of the concepts to the next level.
Vaiyam – Wildlife and Nature Photography Show begins at Perur Chathram
Renowned Environmental Activist Mr. Bitto Sahgal inaugurated Vaiyam (world) – a photography exhibit that displayed the best photographers from Coimbatore and the best photographs of the region. It was organised by Coimbatore Creative Collective (CCC) – an initiative by creatives for creatives to help enhance the cultural identity of the city of Coimbatore. The event happened in association with Kumaraguru College of Liberal Arts and Science (KCLAS). Inaugurating the show, Mr Sahgal said that a lot of tampering has happened with the ‘infrastructure of nature’ which are, the mountains, hills, waterbodies, that gives everything to living beings on earth. He said it is time for the artists to come out and tell people on the solutions. “Oceans have been destroyed, mountains ravaged, grasslands vanished, wetlands have been filled and the glaciers are melting fast. But there is a solution to it,” he said. Stating that the whole planet is designed to repair itself, Mr Sahgal further remarked, “the biosphere is a self-repairing machine and the whole planet is designed to come back to where it was originally. But only if we allow it to do so by not making further damage”. Mr. Sahgal said that the world has never faced a crisis as deep as this. Climate change involves burning of 500-million-year-old carbon with high calorific value and pumping it to the atmosphere. Increasing the green cover is the only way to bring down the carbon level without spending money. He said the natural system is perfect. “We just have to do nothing and everything will come back. The ocean, corals, forest will restore itself if we don’t degrade it further.” he said. He also spoke on the ecological implications of dams constructed across rivers. Saying that the cost benefit ratios of the existing dams have not been fulfilled but more dams are being built at several places. The government can take a policy decision to restore the catchments of these dams to help it perform well instead of building more dams. Earlier in the evening, Aakash Selvan from CCC welcomed the chief guest and photographers who have displayed their photos in the exhibition. He said Vaiyam has a stunning display of more than 100 photographs comprising of different themes varying from abstract to aerial, mammals to macro with a touch of ancient history of Coimbatore.
