Reactics Chem-E-Car UGM, a team from Universitas Gadjah Mada, has achieved remarkable success in the international arena of the Chem-E-Car competition. The team secured the second place in the VDI ChemCar Competition, organized by kjVI VDI Germany 2023, which took place in CityCube, Berlin, from September 17-19, 2023.
The Reactics Chem-E-Car UGM team, led by Muhammad Hasbi Aminudin from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, consisted of four members: Armando Rizky Nugroho (Department of Computer Science and Electronics), Mikael Bagastama Jatinitiraga (Department of Chemical Engineering), Muhammad Akbar Ariffandi (Department of Chemical Engineering), and Muhammad Husein Hartanto (Department of Mechanical Engineering). With the assistance of their manager, Novia Safitri (Department of Chemical Engineering), the team began their preparations in late March 2023 by designing an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient chemical-based vehicle.
Hasbi Aminudin stated that the Reactics Chem-E-Car UGM team demonstrated exceptional dedication and expertise in the preparation and execution of the competition. The Chem-E-Car competition challenges teams to control their car using chemical reactions accurately. During the competition, the Reactics Chem-E-Car UGM team, which had already passed the concept and safety selection, had to present their ideas and answer several questions about the vehicle to pass the safety inspection before the race competition. After a long process, the team successfully formulated the chemical reactions accurately to propel the car, achieving the competition’s specifications and got 2nd place. Hasbi also shared his experience, saying, “The Chem-E-Car competition in CityCube, Berlin, was an unforgettable experience for us. We learned a lot about the practical applications of chemistry in technology and how solid teamwork can achieve extraordinary results!”
This valuable opportunity was made possible with the support and assistance of the entire Reactics Chem-E-Car UGM team and all parties involved. PT Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia, PT Solusi Bangun Indonesia Tbk., and PT Sanggar Sarana Baja played significant roles as Reactics sponsors, supporting the team’s journey. The team also received support from their supervising professors, Budhijanto, ST., MT., Ph.D., IPM, Addin Suwastono, S.T., M.Eng., Mokhammad Fajar Pradipta, S.Si., M.Eng., and Robertus Dimas Dhewangga Putra, S.T., M.Eng., PhD. This victory is not the end of Reactics’ journey in exploring international competitions but rather the beginning of their efforts to achieve more national and international recognition.