Another proud achievement has been made by students of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). This time, it comes from the Reactics Chem-E-Car community, UGM’s chemical car prototype team, which secured top honors at the regional Chem-E-Car competition held at UGM Sports Hall on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. The Reactics team won 1st Place in the Race Competition, 2nd Place in the Poster Competition, and the Best Video Profile Competition award. With these achievements, the team has earned the right to advance to the AIChE Annual Student Conference Chem-E-Car Competition, which will be held in Boston, United States, this November.
The UGM team consists of Thomas Aquino Widaya Putra or Nino (Department of Chemical Engineering, 2022), Rafa Haidar Wicaksana (Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering), Ikhlasul Amal Abda’i (Department of Computer Science and Electronics), Akmal Argiyanto Pratama (Department of Chemical Engineering), Ariyo Favian Tamim (Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering), Bintang Ramadhan (Department of Chemical Engineering), and Muhammad Andriano Hasnam (Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics) as team manager.
The Reactics team presented a unique and innovative chemical car prototype.
The car uses CO₂ gas as an energy source, produced from an acid-base reaction between acetic acid and sodium bicarbonate.
This reaction is endothermic, requiring an external trigger.
“The CO₂ gas we use is safe and stable, as it is not flammable like O₂,” explained Ikhlasul Amal Abda’i on Wednesday, Sep. 10, 2025, at UGM campus.
Another distinctive feature is its stopping system.
The team used a light sensor based on turbidity, which occurs due to the accumulation of sulfur produced by the reaction of sodium thiosulfate and sulfuric acid.
As turbidity increases, less light passes through the sensor, and at the end of the reaction, the car comes to a stop.
Nino emphasized that Reactics’ journey to the international stage was not instantaneous but the result of 15 generations of consistency.
Each year, the team has worked to compete at international events, previously held in Germany, Malaysia, and the United States.
“Preparation goes beyond technical aspects; it also involves fundraising strategies and team logistics. Thanks to teamwork and the support of the faculty, university, and sponsors, we have made it to the international competition,” he said.
Still, the team faced significant challenges, particularly time constraints, as many members were also participating in the UGM community service programs (KKN-PPM UGM).
“Our solution was to manage time as effectively as possible, create a tight work schedule, and assign tasks based on each member’s expertise. With discipline and commitment, we managed to finish the car on time,” Nino explained.
The most memorable moment, he continued, was the week before the competition when the team worked intensively day and night.
“Although it was exhausting, those moments strengthened our bond and built a strong sense of togetherness. The atmosphere of laughter, hard work, and collective spirit became an unforgettable experience,” he said.
Nino added that his interest in joining the Chem-E-Car community stemmed from its competitive atmosphere and the valuable experiences it offers.
“Reactics is highly competitive in every competition it participates in, offering many insights and lessons. It is also a platform to develop teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity in designing solutions,” he said.
Representing UGM on the international stage, Nino hopes his team will achieve the best results.
“We are proud to be part of Reactics Chem-E-Car UGM, bringing the name of the university and Indonesia to the international arena,” he concluded.
Author: Kezia Dwina Nathania
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photographs: Reactics UGM