Freshman ChemE Car Competition
Dr. Coronella's Freshman ChE 102 class was given the assignment of designing a
car 
powered by a chemical reaction. The car was to be no bigger than a shoe box
and be capable of traveling between 50 and 100 feet. Each team had a budget of
$50 to build their car with. The actual distance the car
was required to travel was not given until the day of the competition.
On April 26th seven teams of three students competed to have their Chem car go
60ft. The teams were competing for a copy of the textbook ( a $100 value) for
Che 232 Principles of Chemical Engineering. Each team had a uniquely
designed car. Some cars were powered by the same reactions, but the reactions
were used to move the cars in different ways. A couple of the more popular
reactions chosen were mixing vinegar and baking soda, and combining dry ice and
water (yes, we realize this isn't technically a reaction but it was allowed
anyways). One of the more unique and original designs that caught my eye was
Holly's, Karen's, and
Colleen's Chem car. They designed their car using a plastic sports bottle with
two wheels on the side and a turbine in front made from Plexiglas and a child's
toy that turned when liquid shot from their car. The competition turned out to
be quite and interesting and exciting event. The race was complete with
excitement, journalists, car crashes, and last minute repairs. One 
unlucky team
lost their car to a mail box on the side of the course. The results of the
competition are listed in the table below. The team that took first place had a
unique reaction, they were using rocket fuel to power their car. You may see a
few of these teams with a modified car competing in the National ChemE Car Competition
in November at the AIChE conference. So if you missed the excitement this time
be sure to make it to the national competition!
| Place - distance (ft and inches) | Team | Reaction |
| 1st Place - 61'11" | Bronson Duck, Michael Fears, Antonio Mulei | Combustion of Ammonium Perchlorate propellant |
| 2nd Place - 45' | Jarod Collens, Brian Hopkins, Allan Carmichael | Dry ice and water |
| 3rd Place - 33' | Karen Parian, Holly Hyytinen, Colleen Boyle | Baking soda and vinegar |
| 4th Place - 29' | Scott Heavin, Ivan Gantan, Francisco Vega | Dry ice and water |
| 5th Place - 15' | Phil Magcalas, Katherine Laird, John Whitney | Baking soda and vinegar |
| Did not finish | James Dyer, Justin St.Germain, Andrew Katz | Hydrochloric acid and aluminum |
| Did not finish | Brehnen Wong, Justin Blakeley, Dan Hickman | Dry ice and water |
Pictures of the competition
Jarod and Allan setting up Allan lining up his car Dan and Justin getting their car ready
Scott and Ivan putting the cap on their car Scott, Ivan, and Francisco's car starting down the track
Andrew, James, and Justin's car Karen and Colleen Bronson and Antonio getting their car
having some technical difficulties ready to go
Michael and Bronson ready Phil, Katie, and John's car Chem car or supersoaker?
to shoot off their car at the starting line
Michael Fears