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ChemE Car Competition  

We are currently working our new design for our entry in the 2009 Southern Regional competition in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

If you are interested in joining this year's team please contact our ChemE Car Chair, John Moh.

Our Entry from the 2006 Southern Regional competition:

InstiGATOR  

            The 2006 Gator ChemE Car, InstiGATOR, boasts a powerful drive train fixed atop an entirely redesigned chassis.  The new car is built using knowledge from past competitions in addition to fresh, new ideas.  The car’s power source generates electricity which drives a small electric motor attached to the rear axel.  The electrical power is generated in a 2W PEM hydrogen fuel cell.  The larger fuel cell was chosen to provide extra power to more easily accommodate changes in terrain. 

            The fuel cell runs of a simple reaction with water as the only product.  The overall reaction is stated below:

2H₂(g) + O₂(g) => 2H₂O

 The fuel for the cell is hydrogen.  At the anode, the hydrogen splits into a proton and an electron. 

2H2 => 4H+ + 4e-

The hydrogen proton passes through the membrane sending its electron out the cell creating a current.  Once the electron and the proton reach the opposite side, they recombine with the oxygen to create water.  

O₂ + 4H⁺ + 4e^- => 2 H₂O

The source of the hydrogen will be a reaction between sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) and water.  The reaction, shown below, is driven by an ultra-porous platinum catalyst. 

NaBH₄ + 2H₂O => 4H₂ + NaBO₂

The product gas is very pure hydrogen which is stored until ready to be used in the fuel cell.  Since the hydrogen generation is relatively slow and limited, there is little danger in the amount of gas that will be produced.  The oxygen required for the cell comes directly from the air.  While this does not yield the maximum power output from the cell, it does greatly increase the safety of the car and the ease of operation. 

 The rest of the car has noteworthy features as well.  Since the goal of the competition is to stop the car at a given distance, it is necessary to minimize the car’s forward momentum so that it does not propel the car beyond the desired mark.  In order to overcome this, our car has a direct drive mechanism in which the motor is directly geared to the axel.  With this system, the forward momentum of the car is absorbed by the motor and gearing.  In short, when the fuel for the reaction is used up, the car does not continue rolling.  In addition to absorbing the forward momentum, the car is also designed to reduce the initial torque load on the motor.  This is achieved by using narrow wheels which lowers their moments of inertia.  The wheels are also taller to give the car enough ground clearance to get over any unforeseen obstacles.  The taller wheels also enhance the car’s already stunning looks.