Hoofddorp, Netherlands: Murata announces it has entered into a sponsorship agreement with Nottingham University for the development of a student designed electric racing motorbike. The sponsorship includes the provision of technical engineering support from Murata’s Power division based in Milton Keynes, DC-DC converters along with the usual marketing support.
Matthew Cooper, Managing Director Murata Power Solutions said, “After working with Nottingham university on application testing of our innovative range of new gate drive DC converters, it seemed a natural step to sponsor the bike and help raise awareness of the importance that electric vehicles will play in a more environmentally friendly future. We hope that the selection of the MGJ6 series for the race bike will further help the team to deliver winning performances.”
The bike has already taken part in the legendary Isle of Man TT race and is entered in the forthcoming MotoE competition series. MotoE is an official European Championship for electric motorcycle racers where teams from around the world compete in five European rounds, the first being around the infamous Nurburgring on August 1/2.
Glenn Palmer, President of Murata Europe comments, “We are absolutely delighted to be involved in sponsoring and assisting in the development of this e-bike. Murata has a long association fostering and cooperating with academic research projects and is also actively involved in promoting the environmental benefits of electric vehicles. We wish the University of Nottingham team the best of luck in their first race.”
Developed by undergraduates within the Power Electronics Machines and Control Research Group at Nottingham University the bike is capable of speeds up to 175 mph, has a battery supplied 12.5 kWh of stored energy that can deliver a peak power of 80 kW to the motor drive.
Murata’s MGJ6 isolated DC-DC converters are used in the motor power conversion and drive train.
The universities racing team has a Facebook page that you can follow here: https://www.facebook.com/UoNElectricMotorbike
To learn more about the competition visit:
http://www.motoeracing.com
Murata in Brief
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and sale of ceramic-based passive electronic components & solutions, communication modules and power supply modules. Murata is committed to the development of advanced electronic materials and leading edge, multi-functional, high-density modules. The company has employees and manufacturing facilities throughout the world.
For more information, visit Murata's website