The successful ITS Spektronics team brought the championship title at the Malaysia Chem-E-Car event

Campus ITS, ITS News – Incessantly making achievements, the academic community of the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) has brought home an international championship trophy. This time, the ITS Spektronics Team, through the two teams that it had deployed, won second place for the Spektronics Turbo team and third place for the Spektronics Nitro team at the Malaysia Chem-E-Car event organized by the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia, last Tuesday (9/8).

The competition in the form of a poster presentation targeting students from various universities worldwide has been held for a month. The Chem E-Car competition challenges participants to design a prototype car the size of a shoebox that is powered by energy sources from chemical reactions.

In this competition, ITS entrusted Bimo Bintang Aulia as the team leader and consisted of Ahmad Fajar Firdaus in the Spektronics Turbo team. Meanwhile, the Spektronics Nitro team is chaired by Dheas Pinda and consists of Wiji Dharma. “There is a stipulation that one team must consist of two people, and one of them is required from a student majoring in Chemical Engineering,” explained Bimo, who was asked to be the team leader.

Bimo Bintang Aulia (left) and Achmad Fajar Maulana from the ITS Spektronics Turbo team during a presentation at the Malaysia Chem-E-Car event

Furthermore, Bimo explained that this competition was judged by descriptions of chemical reactions, resources, stopping mechanisms, and unique vehicle features. In addition, environmental and safety features and economic aspects are also taken into consideration. Bimo and his colleagues managed to convince the jury in the presentation of their work to bring home the winner.

Bimo continued that the turbo is a Chem-E-Car car that uses a thermoelectric generator as its power source. With the heat generator of the synthesis reaction, ion exchange resin is used as a catalyst. While the response receiving the heat of melting (cold side) is located in the hydrogen oxide. Electric potential is generated when there is a heat flux between the sides of the thermoelectric generator.

Chem E-Car display belonging to the Spektronics Turbo ITS team with the use of temperature differences to drive the car

As for nitro, a turbine that uses the decomposition reaction of hydrogen peroxide drives water into the turbine system. Spektronics promote the Francis and pneumatic turbine models for the propulsion system. “In short, the turbo will move from electricity generated by the temperature difference and nitro from the water turbine,” said Bimo.

The car designed by the ITS pride team has its uniqueness. Bimo explained that the turbo uses a shape memory alloy as a stopping mechanism that can change shape when subjected to a specific temperature. The heat generator uses the synthesis of methyl gluten, ethanol, and ionizing so that the catalyst reacts more quickly. As for nitro, Dheas and Wiji use classic turbines to emphasize high efficiency.

Achmad Fajar Maulana, when presenting the Chem E-Car prototype car belonging to the Spektronics Turbo ITS team with its unique use of shape memory alloy as a stopping mechanism

Regarding how it works, Spectronics Turbo uses the synthesis of chemicals. After the synthesis, there is a cold side using the ice and heat generated from the previous reaction. The difference between hot and cold temperatures is obtained from this reaction, which can generate electricity to drive his motor.

As for Spektronics Nitro, according to Dheas’ explanation, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ferric chloride produces oxygen. The oxygen is then used to push the water firm and connect to the car to move.

The appearance of the Chem E-Car belonging to the Spektronics Nitro ITS team, which is equipped with hydrogen peroxide and ferric chloride as a catalyst

During this competition, Dheas admitted that the obstacle he faced with the team was a short time. They dug deep into ideas for innovations and car prototypes in a month’s preparation. However, the team is also assisted by advisory lecturers with a wealth of experience. Among them are Prof. Setiyo Gunawan ST Ph.D. and Juwari ST MEng Ph.D. as advisors who advise when the team faces difficulties.

Dheas Pinda (facing the camera) with Wiji Dharma (right) showing off the Chem E-Car, the pride of the Spektronics Nitro ITS team at the Malaysia Chem-E-Car event

“We hope that this winning step does not stop here, but can continue to progress and consistently win national and international championships and be able to win the competition in Germany next month,” concluded Bimo hopefully. (ITS Public Relation)

Reporter: Silvita Pramadani