UGM students have once again achieved remarkable success in the Chem-E-Car competition at the AIChE Indonesia Student Conference (AISC) 2024.
The UGM Reactics team secured two top titles during the competition at the Energy and Mineral Polytechnic (PEM) Akamigas, Cepu, Central Java, on Saturday (Aug. 31).
The team, presenting an innovative, eco-friendly, and efficient chemistry-based vehicle design, won first place in the Race Competition and secured the runner-up title in the Poster category.
Reactics Manager Muhammad Andriano Hasnam from the Department of Nuclear and Physics Engineering shared that they had conducted extensive research and trials from March to August 2024.
“This competition was truly memorable, as all the teams competed sportingly and provided strong opposition,” he said.
Reactics Team Leader Ikhlasul Amal Abda’I from the Department of Computer and Electronics Science explained that their innovation involved creating a car prototype powered by pressurized gas produced from the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide generates oxygen gas, which is harmless to the environment.
“With a sufficiently low concentration, the data we obtained in this competition became more precise,” Abda’I said Tuesday (Sep. 3).
He further elaborated that several stages were required in the competition, starting with an inspection and poster presentation, which were prerequisites for participating in the race competition.
The inspection phase involved checking document completeness and ensuring the data matched real-world conditions. The team presented their innovation and the technology they had developed in a poster presentation.
Additionally, safety was a crucial focus in the competition, and the Reactics team installed various safety instruments on the car.
In the next stage, participants faced the race competition, which measured the accuracy of each developed vehicle.
“We are very proud that the Reactics successfully formulated the chemical reaction accurately, allowing our car to run and stop within the competition’s specified distance,” he expressed with gratitude.
The team, which also included four other members—Isaac Varado (Department of Chemical Engineering), Muhammad Alvin Sofyan (Department of Chemical Engineering), Muhammad Manaf Romli (Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering), and Oktavianus Stevian Angelino (Department of Chemical Engineering)—shared their pride and said the competition was an unforgettable experience.
They learned much about applying chemical knowledge, time management, critical thinking, and teamwork, all of which contributed to their achievement.
“This victory is the first step for Reactics as we aim to compete in the world’s top Chem-E-Car competition in the United States while also preparing for future victories at various national and international competitions,” concluded Abda’I.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Photo: UGM Reactics Team
Post-editor: Afif