12 | JANUARY 02 • 2020 

An Electric 
Experience

Jewish student helps 
lead LTU Formula 
SAE Electric Team’
s 
push for innovation.

CORRIE COLF STAFF WRITER

Jews in the D

A

t Lawrence Technological 
University in Southfield, 
the Formula SAE Electric 
Team is pushing the bounds of inno-
vation regarding electric cars. The 
team is designing and creating their 
own electric car to compete at two 
national events this coming year.
Consisting of roughly 20 students 
ranging in ages and majors, the 
team has been working since May 
on formulating designs and piecing 
together their car. 
“Being a member of this team 
allows us to do things that we 
couldn’
t do alone,
” co-captain Austin 
Wexler said. “We’
re developing a lot 
of different systems on this car from 
scratch so working as a team allows 
us to take pieces from everyone’
s 
curriculum and make something 
that is truly unique.
”
Not only is their car unique, it’
s 
also the beginning of pushing the 
bounds of innovation in the auto-
mobile industry.

FUTURE OF ELECTRIC
“
As the electric team, we’
re develop-
ing a lot of new power train systems 
and continuing our research into 
suspension and chassis design,
” 
co-captain Noah Janke said. “For the 
power train, we are implementing 
cutting-edge designs within our 
motors that are direct drive in the 
wheel assembly. This means there is 
no shaft or motor assembly inside 
the chassis, but it’
s all directly in the 
wheel.
”
Their motor design allows their 
car to be more efficient and lighter 
than any other electric car that is a 
part of the competition. 
But their electric motor design 
is not the only part of their car that 

continued on page 14

Austin Wexler, right, talks to the group as they stand 
around the chassis they are working on at Lawrence 
Tech University.

PHOTOS BY ERIC POPE/LTU

