For the first time, UL Lafayette chemical engineering students are participating in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ Chem-E-Car competition sponsored by Chevron. Team members will design and construct a chemically powered vehicle within certain size constraints.
The 2010 competition, the Chem-E-Car, roughly the size of a shoes box, will be powered by methanol fuel cells. Not until the actual competition do the competitors learn the distance that the car must travel and the specified cargo the vehicle must carry. Teams compete at regional conferences and the winner at each regional level will be eligible to compete at the national conference. The winner is determined by a combined score with points being awarded for traveling the correct distance.
UL Lafayette Chem-E-Car team is sponsored through a ULS Serves grant which was applied for by Dr. William Chirdon, facility advisor to UL Lafayette’s AIChE Student Chapter.
In association with the project, the team has already visited area schools (grades K-12) with a presentation about alternative energy, recycling, environmental issues and the importance of math, science and engineering in addressing the energy needs and environmental concerns of the future.
In addition to the Chem-E-Car, the presentation team will show devices, which demonstrate the conversion of wind power and solar power to hydrogen and small remote-controlled hydrogen fuel cell toy car.
Sponsorship is available to local industry and to individuals who are interested in supporting this endeavor-both the competition and the community outreach aspect require funding beyond the initial ULS Serves grant.
For additional information on sponsorship opportunities, contact the team at ULChemECar@gmail.com or wchirdon@louisiana.edu