April 20, 2015
Chem-E-Car takes first in regional competition
The K-State Chem-E-Car student design team took first place in the Chem-E-Car competition at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Mid-America Student Regional Conference April 4 in Lawrence. The group of engineering students is now qualified to compete at the national Chem-E-Car competition in November in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The team built and refined its pressure-driven vehicle, the "Bill Snyder Family Chem-E-car," over the past school year, and competed against 11 other teams by carrying a predetermined weight and traveling closest to a predetermined distance marker. The K-State car stopped six inches from the set line, a full six inches closer than the second place car, which stopped within one foot.
Teams must also present a Chem-E-Car poster as part of the competition and K-State took first-place honors in this category as well.
Team captains are David Madden, Leavenworth, junior; and Michael Whinery, Rose Hill, senior, both chemical engineering.
Other team members are Ben Williams, Lawrence, junior in chemical engineering; Brian Everhart, Olathe, sophomore in chemical engineering; Levi Karhoff, Pittsburg, junior in chemical engineering; Aaron Akin, Shawnee, sophomore in biological and agricultural engineering; Zach Haverkamp, Topeka, junior in chemical engineering; Thaddeus Tuck, Wamego, senior in electrical and computer engineering; Hunter Wilson, Wichita, junior in chemical engineering; and Yichao Zhang, Qingdao, China, junior in chemical engineering.
Faculty adviser to the group for the regional competition was Jennifer Anthony, associate professor of chemical engineering.