Again, Spektronics ITS was successful in the Chem E-car in the US

Compass IDS, IDS News – From the chemical reaction powered prototype car team, Spectronics Cebulu November Institute of Technology (ITS) He returned to success on the international stage. After being selected as a Global Finalist at the Chem-E-Car Competition in India earlier, the IDS Spectronics team placed 2nd at the Chem-E-Car Global Race held in Florida. USA ended on Sunday (5/11) local time.

Bimo Bintang Aulia, head of the ITS Spectronics team that competed in Uncle Sam’s country, said participants in the championship were selected from various universities around the world. 46 finalist teams competed and ITS finished second best, beating out various top global campuses such as the University of Toronto and Tsinghua University. “Spectronics is the proudest team from Indonesia to compete here,” said the third-year student proudly.

(From left) Diyas Pinta Prayoga and Bimo Bintang Alia, members of the IDS Spectronics team, prepare the Spectronics 23 prototype car for racing at the Chem E-Car event in Florida, USA.

Organized by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), this prestigious championship consists of several stages. Each team has to clear the test at Chem-e-car regional competition stage in each region. Then, in preparation for the final stage, participating teams must undergo a safety and inspection session, the day before the race to test the car’s fit and optimum performance.

With the latest innovations, Bimo revealed that the ITS Spectronics team has brought the latest version of the Spektronics 23 car to compete in the event. This car uses a ferric chloride catalyst (FECl3) to generate a power source using the reaction of atmospheric pressure caused by the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). “This air pressure is then distributed through a pneumatic system, making it a stronger car driver,” he explained.

(From top) Front and rear views of the Spectronics 23, the ITS Spectronics team’s aerodynamic prototype of a chemical reaction-powered car.

Not only does it bolster performance, but the car is equipped with integrated technology in the form of a solenoid valve feature that can be automatically controlled using an Arduino Nano. This feature provides a better ability to control air pressure and allows the car to move with greater precision. “This technology increases performance by up to 50 percent from our previous car,” explained Bimo.

With this innovation, the Spectronics 23 car, developed by a team comprising of Viji Dharma Aditya, Ahmad Fadjar Maulana Firthous and Diyas Binda Prayoga, will cover a distance of 25 meters. With this challenge, the accuracy of the car’s driving chemicals is assessed by stopping the car as close as possible to the finish line. “Our team’s error was 0.112 meters, only 0.05 meters different from Auburn University in America, which ranked 1st,” he said.

ITS Spectronics team is Indonesia’s only representative with Spectronics 23 car in the Chem E-car competition held by AIChE in Florida, USA.

During the competition, the ITS Spektronics team admitted that they did not experience many significant obstacles. The logistical problems of sending cars by air can be well overcome at the race venue as parts of the car are being repaired. “We have done very thorough preparations since last June, so we haven’t faced many hurdles,” he admitted.

It should not be forgotten that the success of the Spectronics team also involved contributions from various parties, including ITS, which provided support in terms of material and moral support. “This victory is a good step for us to continue to make the campus proud in the various international competitions to come,” Bimo concluded with confidence. (ITS Public Relations)

Correspondent: Latifa Sahda