MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions Supports the Future of Automotive Engineering

Rhea-AI Summary

MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions has announced its sponsorship of The University of Florida's Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE) racing team, Gator Motorsports. The partnership focuses on supporting the team's electric vehicle design optimization through advanced busbar plating solutions.

Following Gator Motorsports' transition to electric vehicle design in 2023, Battery Packaging Engineer Zachariah Taylor sought MacDermid Enthone's expertise to enhance power transport efficiency. The company donated busbars plated with their electroless nickel technology and provided technical support through their specialists Ambrose Schaffer and Austin King.

The collaboration aims to optimize current flow and minimize high voltage contact corrosion in the team's Formula-style racecar, which will compete at the FSAE Design Competition in Michigan this June.

Positive

• Strategic entry into educational partnerships in the growing electric vehicle sector
• Practical demonstration of product capabilities in high-performance applications

Negative

• None.

GAINESVILLE, Fla., March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions, a leading manufacturer of chemical compounds utilized in surface finishing applications, today announced its commitment to sponsor The University of Florida's Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE) racing team, Gator Motorsports. This student organization designs, builds, and races a Formula-style racecar, competing against teams from across the United States at the FSAE Design Competition each year in Michigan.

After transitioning from an internal combustion engine to an electric vehicle design in 2023, the team at Gator Motorsports was looking to optimize the power transport within their vehicle, with the goal of enhancing speed and performance on the track. After exploring busbar plating options, Battery Packaging Engineer, Zachariah Taylor, reached out to MacDermid Enthone for help.

"Busbars are a critical component to the design of an electric vehicle, and we needed to optimize the current flow while minimizing high voltage contact corrosion to get more power out of our design," noted Taylor. "After researching plating solutions, I knew we wanted to work with the best. I reached out to MacDermid Enthone to discuss opportunities to integrate their electroless nickel plating technology into our racecar."

MacDermid Enthone quickly responded, donating busbars plated with their industry-leading electroless nickel technology to the Gator Motorsports team. Along with the product donation, Ambrose Schaffer, Global Product Line Manager at MacDermid Enthone, and Austin King, EN Technical Specialist, partnered with Zachariah and his teammates to provide ongoing support and education. The team gained a deeper understanding of innovative surface finishing technologies and the benefits they can deliver to the evolving electric vehicle sector.

"We are thrilled to support the Gator Motorsports team for the 2024/2025 season," said Timothy Gotsick, VP of Technology & Innovation at MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions. "These talented students are the future of automotive engineering, and the innovations they develop today will impact the next generation of automotive manufacturing. We are honored to play a small role in their success and look forward to watching the team shine this June at the FSAE Design Competition!"

To learn more about Gator Motorsports, visit www.gatormotorsports.org 

About MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions:

Established in 1922, MacDermid Enthone Inc., operating as MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions, stands as a global leader, specializing in the manufacture of chemical compounds catering to all facets of surface coating applications. Their product portfolio includes innovative solutions designed to meet the evolving demands of the dynamic surface finishing industry and ever-changing customer requirements, with a strong focus on sustainable technologies and enhanced technical support. MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions operates as a business unit of Element Solutions Inc (NYSE: ESI), a diversified specialty chemicals company serving a broad spectrum of industries with innovative solutions that enhance everyday products. For more information, please visit MacDermidEnthone.com.

About Gator Motorsports

At Gator Motorsports, the opportunity to design, manufacture, and build a Formula-style racecar is more than just an extracurricular pursuit, it is a passion. Each June, Gator Motorsports competes against 100 teams from all over the world in the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE) design competition in Michigan. This competition assesses the team's ability to not only engineer and produce a reliable, high-performance vehicle but also its ability to organize and manage a team to develop a feasible product for the market. Gator Motorsports provides students with the technical, teamwork, and project management skills required to transition seamlessly into careers in industry. Learn more at gatormotorsports.org.

Media Contact

Pam Anderson

pam.anderson@829llc.com

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SOURCE MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions

FAQ

What technology did MacDermid Enthone provide to Gator Motorsports' electric racing car?

MacDermid Enthone provided electroless nickel plating technology for busbars to optimize current flow and minimize high voltage contact corrosion.

When will Gator Motorsports compete with their MacDermid Enthone-enhanced electric vehicle?

The team will compete at the FSAE Design Competition in Michigan in June 2025.

When did Gator Motorsports transition from combustion engine to electric vehicle design?

Gator Motorsports transitioned from an internal combustion engine to an electric vehicle design in 2023.

What specific support is MacDermid Enthone providing to the University of Florida's racing team?

They donated plated busbars and provided technical support and education through their specialists Ambrose Schaffer and Austin King.