Formula 1: The Chemical Engineering Edition

A zinc-carbon dry-cell reaction occurs within multiple cells in series and parallel to obtain the voltage and current needed for a battery that is connected to an Arduino micro controller. The stopping mechanism is a clock-reaction (commonly known as Old Nassau or Halloween) composed of sodium metabisulfate, mercury (II) chloride, and potassium iodate.

Chairs: Justin Stottlemyer and Giovanni Quiel

Hydrogen gas is stored in a 1-L industrial pressure vessel with a MAWP of 1800psig. At the starting line, a ball valve is opened, releasing hydrogen to a fuel cell. The exhausted water vapor enters a heat exchanger where it is condensed and drained into the stopping mechanism containing a NaCl solution.

An Arduino micro controller measures the conductivity of the salt solution and shuts off the motor when a certain dilution is reached.

Chairs: Spencer Davis & Ryan Kent

A reaction of sodium bicarbonate and acetic acid to produce carbon dioxide gas is fed into a lay-flat tube on a spool, as it fills, the spool moves forward. The car stops based on the amount of gas produced, which is stoichiometrically controlled.

Chairs: Justin Stottlemyer and Giovanni Quiel

Pressurized gas-powered vehicle that works by flowing carbon dioxide at 25psig (from dry ice sublimation) directly to the pneumatic motor from the reaction vessel. A 3-way solenoid valve is opened at the starting line, followed by an injection of hydrochloric acid and stopping mechanism reactants.

The stopping mechanism is a reaction between ethyl acetate and sodium hydroxide, a base hydrolysis reaction that causes the conductivity of the solution to change, which is measured by a probe connected to an Arduino micro controller.

Chairs: Spencer Davis & Ryan Kent

The design of the Bulldozer is based on a tank, with treads instead of wheels. A lead acid battery using 30% sulfuric acid inside a PVC pipe is connected to the motor which moves the vehicle forward until  an Arduino controller sensing light from an LED is obstructed by an iodine clock reaction and stops the car.

Chairs: Javier Figueroa & Alex Jacobsen

This vehicle is built on a clear, rectangular pegboard chassis that proudly displays all of its electronic hardware. The system uses colorful jumper wires, breadboards, and battery packs connected to a micro-controller to manage its functions.

This car features a metallic, angled pressure tank mounted on top of a low-profile chassis wrapped entirely in reflective silver foil. The mechanical setup includes specialized pressure gauges and valves to control gas expansion and movement safely. It is engineered with narrow, lightweight wheels built to help it roll smoothly down a track.

This small robotic vehicle is built on a compact, four-wheeled chassis with exposed mechanical parts. The design focuses on combining custom engineering with a clean, professional outer look.

The Capa-Bull is a custom Chem-E-Car driven by a powerful lead and sulfuric acid battery. To stop precisely, an Arduino micro-controller reads the changing electrical resistance of an equilibrium reaction between sodium hydroxide and acetic acid. Once the reaction hits its target threshold, the Arduino cuts power to the motor instantly. Structurally, the vehicle features a lightweight wooden chassis enhanced by custom 3D-printed brackets to secure its electronics and fluid lines.

This car uses a colorful LEGO-style frame built around a flat platform holding electronics, sensors, and a central reaction chamber topped with a syringe for controlled reactant delivery. Large wheels provide stability, and the layout highlights modularity and easy access to components for testing and adjustment.

Chair​s: Elizabeth Crawshaw​ & Bao Hoang​

This design features a compact black chassis supporting a stainless‑steel reaction vessel connected to tubing and valves that route gas or liquid to the car’s power system. A tall glass condenser sits at the front, indicating a reaction that produces controlled pressure or flow.

Chair​s: Elizabeth Crawshaw​ & Bao Hoang​

This custom vehicle, named the AutoBull, is powered by the carbon dioxide gas produced from a chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar. Its main structure features 3D-printed PETG parts alongside a modular chassis designed with a secondary safety containment dike. To precisely control its movement, the car uses a chemical clock reaction that changes colors to trigger a spectral sensor and stop the vehicle.

Chairs: Elizabeth Crawshaw & Bao Hoang

This vehicle is powered by an acid-base pressure reaction between anhydrous citric acid and potassium bicarbonate. The chemical reaction generates carbon dioxide gas, which builds up inside stainless steel vessels to achieve operating pressures between 50 and 80 psi. This pressurized gas expands through a custom steam engine mechanism to spin the wheels and move the vehicle forward. The physical build features a metallic pressure system with clear dials.

Chairs: Daniel Arango & Carson Meyer

This car uses an electrochemical power supply driven by an aluminum-air battery system that generates energy from the oxidation of aluminum in an alkaline environment. Its stopping mechanism is controlled by an iodine clock reaction monitored by an Arduino Uno microcontroller and a photoresistor laser setup. The entire vehicle structure is split into three modular, 3D-printed chassis components that separate the stopping instrument, battery cells, and electronics. The team successfully assembled a lightweight, open-frame black robotic car base to house these components.

Chairs: Daniel Arango & Carson Meyer