“Al,” the 2019 Chem-E-Car that took first place at the AIChE Regional Conference.

The Chem-E-Car competition is held by AIChE every year to challenge participants to design and construct a chemically powered car carry an unknown load across an unknown distance. The energy source in addition to the stopping mechanism must be a controllable chemical reaction. More information can be found on the official Chem-E-Car website: https://www.aiche.org/community/students/chem-e-car

The UNM Chem-E-Car team was recently revived in 2018, and won first place at the 2019 Rocky Mountain Regional Conference in Golden, CO. Some of the tasks we will do include…

  • Applying coursework to a project
  • Collaborating with a team of varying levels and backgrounds
  • Making electrochemical cells to power the car
  • Optimizing and designing the car chassis
  • Calibrating the stopping mechanism reaction
  • Programming with Arduino
  • Connecting all components through circuits
  • Maintaining safety regulations when working with chemicals

No prior knowledge of electrochemistry is required for this project, though it would be highly recommended.

For the 2022-2023 year, we will be going step-by-step to ensure everyone who would like to participate can do so. All we ask for is cooperation, dedication, and a desire to learn!

Interested?

Contact Emily Robinson at emjanerobinson@unm.edu or Ngoc Nguyen at nnguyen5@unm.edu