Ingenuity and hard work synthesized to create the optimal result: first place at the 2025 AlChE North Central Student Regional Conference for McMaster Engineering’s Chem-E-Car team.
Chem-E-Car is a hands-on experience for students that blends chemical, mechanical, electrical and computer engineering principles. The goal is to chemically power a shoebox-sized car to a set distance while carrying a specified amount of water. The team with the car that stops closest to the identified distance wins!
Previous models by McMaster Engineering students, including Mac Verstoppen and Lightning MacQueen, performed well at past competitions. This year, their latest model, OptiMac Prime, achieved the best results for the team to date.
Chem-E-Car not only represented McMaster, but also the country as the only Canadian team at the competition.
Before the peak of the win, the Chem-E-Car team had to overcome an unexpected challenge. When they arrived, they discovered they had one third of the catalyst they needed for their reaction. They were able to secure a new catalyst thanks to the host university, which led to quick research and calculations to determine if it would work.
Placing first in the Chem-E-Car and poster competitions not only recognized our ability to present and defend the technical aspects of our design but also proved that it’s the best design at the competition.
Chem-E-Car is a true teamwork experience, bringing together engineers with different backgrounds and expertise. By collaborating on complex technical challenges, they are able to design, build and finesse a fully functional vehicle. Having access to the makerspaces and labs on campus helped the team prototype and assemble the car.
We must give a special shoutout to Dr. Vince Leung for his invaluable guidance in helping us refine our chemical reaction and power system integration!
Interested in joining the Chem E Car team? Here’s are five things to know:
- It’s a hands-on competition where teams design and build a car powered by and stopped by chemical reactions.
- It’s an international challenge, bringing together top engineering students from universities around the world.
- It requires expertise in chemical, mechanical and electrical engineering—teams must integrate everything from reaction kinetics to circuit design and CAD modeling.
- It builds real-world problem-solving and leadership skills, preparing students for careers in engineering, technology and research and development.
- It’s a rewarding engineering competition, offering opportunities to apply coursework in a hands-on, competitive environment while networking with top professionals in the field.