TEAM N!TRO • THE PURSUIT OF ZERO FRICTION
The evolution of STEM Racing.
STEM Racing is a global movement where physics meets the speed of Formula 1. This platform serves as our Digital Twin—a centralized hub for technical evaluation and vision for 2026.
Originating from the F1 in Schools challenge, the circuit has evolved from a classroom project into a professional-grade engineering discipline. It mimics the real-world F1 lifecycle: from initial sketches to CFD and precision manufacturing.
Today, we leverage advanced aerospace-grade simulations and AI-driven generative design. Team N!TRO utilizes these tools to find millisecond advantages on the track.
Organization is the key to success. We don't just build cars; we build blueprints for excellence.
At Team N!TRO, we believe that organization is the key factor in achieving success. Our internal structure keeps us aligned from design through manufacturing.
Building on knowledge from previous F1 in Schools teams, we analyzed regulations and design theories to refine our approach through independent research.
Multi-disciplinary. Relentless focus.
Directs technical cohesion and physical manufacturing with micron-level precision.
Directs the project lifecycle, controlling timelines and resource allocation.
Lead for CAD modeling and CFD simulation. Focuses on drag reduction.
Architect of the N!TRO brand identity and all marketing collateral.
Responsible for high-end documentation and cross-functional support.
The bridge between engineering and industry, securing resources for development.
Highly aerodynamic. Visually striking. Relentlessly minimalistic.
Our team follows the same process as Apple, highlighting each detail. Orbitus is the result of many iterations, each improving airflow and structural stability.
From Block to Blade.
We utilize high-density Polyurethane Foam for its superior strength-to-weight ratio.
Machined on a 3-axis CNC router, Orbitus is carved within a tolerance of ±0.05mm.
A micro-thin sealant is applied to prevent turbulence while maintaining the 50.0g minimum weight.
An ogive shape has a smooth, curved point that lets air flow around the car with less resistance. Our ogive nose spreads the air gently and keeps the airflow attached to the body for longer.
| Sub-System | Requirement | N!TRO Strategy | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerodynamics | Cd < 0.17 | Ogive Nose & Boundary Layer Control | Complete |
| Chassis | Mass: 50.9g | Selective Foam Pocketing | Complete |
| Axles | < 0.05μ Friction | Ceramic Bearing Hybridization | Tested |
| Manufacturing | ±0.05mm | High-Speed CNC Milling | Complete |
Nine stages from blank file to 51 grams.
Scrub it, step through it, or let it play. Every stage below fed the next — nothing was signed off until the race model, the CFD and the scrutineering gauge all agreed.
Roles assigned and the development calendar built backwards from Nationals.
Every component was given a named owner, and four goals — reduce drag, stay consistent, stay compliant, build quality — became the bar every later decision had to clear.
Every force on the car split into three groups, then coded into a Python race model.
Thrust from the CO₂ canister, constant resistive forces (weight, wheel and tether friction) and variable resistive forces (drag, canister mass loss) were modelled separately. A purpose-built canister force jig measured real thrust curves — most of the thrust arrives inside the first 0.5 seconds.
Every dimension parameterised in Fusion and modelled in-situ inside one file.
Dozens of base parameters drove hundreds of derived values, shared through Fusion's cloud into manufacturing jigs and test parts. Master sketches fixed wheelbase, no-go zones, canister position and wing heights before any solid geometry existed.
k-ω SST simulations at a 20 m/s inlet, meshed to hold a low y+ value.
Flow volume 0–0.3 m in X and Z, −0.5–3 m in Y. Moving wall at 20 m/s, rotating wall at 1416 rad/s on the wheels, symmetry at X min. Results converged by 500 timesteps, so runtime was capped at 1000 seconds to save core hours.
The ogive nose iterated until peak pressure fell from over 500 Pa to 200 Pa.
Four nose concepts were tested: RF22 sharp leading edge (over 500 Pa), NF23 blunt (350 Pa), a tangent-ogive neutral profile (350 Pa) and the final flow-conditioned sharp nose (200 Pa). One front wing element beat both two and three on drag and on manufacturability.
Foam body milled on a 3-axis Denford MRC 40; every other part printed in PA12 nylon.
The polyurethane body was cut with a 3 mm ball-nose endmill, so every internal edge carried a 1.5 mm minimum fillet. Wheel supports, caps and pins were printed on an HP Jet Fusion 5200 at 80 µm layers, and the tether eyelet was cut from aluminium on a 3-axis laser CNC.
Assemblies, sections and tolerances pulled straight from the parametric model.
Because the drawings were generated from the same parameter set that drove the CAD, a single dimension change propagated through the whole pack — keeping every sheet regulation-checked and in sync with the built car.
FEA to a 2.5 safety factor, halo impact testing, then jig-aligned bonding and paint.
Wheels were loaded at 1416 rad/s and 35 N with a 0.15 mm maximum deformation. The halo impact jig's drop height came from the race model's final velocity. A negative of the car's floor held body and wings square during bonding, and wheel supports went on after painting to protect thread tolerance.
Ceramic bearings, 7-spoke SLS nylon wheels and a machined aluminium tether eyelet.
Wheels run on 10 × 4 × 4 mm Boca ceramic bearings, friction-fit to a 0.042 mm offset for minimal axial play and clear access to the races for lubrication. Final correlation-adjusted race model time: 1.088 seconds.
Scroll to drive the story — or press play and watch it unfold
Two lead. Two support.
Diva Pink and N!TRO Navy are our primary colours — the voice of the brand. Olo and Vanilla form the secondary layer, appearing as accents across everything we build, from livery to this very page.
Our accent under track lights. High-visibility, high-intent — used sparingly so it always reads as a decision, never as decoration.
#F04F6AThe base layer of the brand. Depth, discipline, and the dark background every other colour has to earn its place against.
#0B132BA blue-green more saturated than anything the eye meets in daylight — reported in 2025 when researchers stimulated individual cone cells with precise laser pulses. It stands for the margin nobody has looked for yet.
#00E0C6The tone of raw polyurethane foam before the CNC touches it. Warm, quiet, unfinished — a reminder that every millisecond we win is carved out of something plain.
#FFFFE1Commitment to precision medical publishing. Supporting Team N!TRO's project development and competition preparation.
Specialists in alloy manufacturing. Guiding our R&D, materials understanding and engineering decision-making.
A leading sports franchise helping amplify our identity, competitive mindset and brand presence.
Technical mentorship and insights into aerodynamic principles, real-world marketing and performance engineering.
India's trusted logistics partner, supporting Team N!TRO's movement of materials, resources and race-ready ambition.
A legendary entertainment brand supporting our creative identity, storytelling and digital campaign presence.
A global energy leader inspiring our understanding of efficiency, performance, sustainability and engineering systems.
Supporting Team N!TRO's focus on safety, preparation and reliability throughout the competition journey.