CHEM-E-CAR SEFTER CONCEPTION

Muhammad Miftahur Rahman

Habib Al Aziz
Fitri Handayani
Arcodhea
Objective

1. Design and construct a car that is powered with a

chemical energy source that will travel at given
distance and stop
2. Commercial batteries (for example, AA batteries)
are allowed as the power source if a controlled
chemical reaction is used elsewhere in the cars
system as a mechanism, stopping mechanism and
circuit.
Car Description
SEFTER (Seventeen Electrical Reaction)
employs in alumunium air battery reaction
to generate electrical energy which is then
used to prevent chemical contact. The
stopping mechanism utilizes an iodine
clock reaction, which turns dark after a
given amount of time triggering the
photoresistor to cut power the motor
Car Design
 Power Source

SEFTER is powered by alumunium air battery with overall reaction

4Al + 3 O2 + 6H2O 4Al(OH)2 Eo = + 2.71
Anode Cathode
Al (S) + 3OH(aq) Al(OH)2(S) + 3e O2(g) + 2H2O + 4e 4OH
Eo = - 2.31 Eo = + 0.40
Why Al-Air Battery?

Nowadays vehicles are creating about 60% pollution on

this earth
Our Chem-car is based on a method which has a basic
mechanism of converting chemical energy to electrical
energy which is then converted to mechanical energy
The total fuel efficiency during the cycle process in
Al/air electric vehicles (EVs) can be 15%(present stage)
or 20% (projected), comparable to that of internal
combustion engine vehicles (ICEs) (13%)
They have one of the highest energy densities of all
batteries
Mechanism

Al-Air Batteries produce electricity from the

reaction of oxygen in the air with alumunium.
A chemical reaction with Al and salt water is
oxidising Al and creating electrons.
Activated carbon provides a surface for air from the
atmosphere to reduce which require electrons.
 Stopping Mechanism

2H++ 2I(aq) H2O2(aq) I(aq) + 2H(l)

I2(aq) + C6H8O6(aq) 2H+(aq) + 2I-(aq) + C6H6O6(aq)
where: I- = iodide ion
H2O2 = Hydrogen peroxide
I2(aq) or I3- = Iodine (aq.) or triiodide ion
C6H8O6 = Ascorbic acid
C6H6O6 = Dehydroascorbic acid
Mechanism

When the car first starts, a flashlight shines through a glass beaker containing the iodine clock
onto the photoreceptor, switching it on and keeping the circuit closed. At this point, the
beaker is clear as the iodine clock reaction has not reached completion. As the iodine clock
reaction progresses, the car continues to move until the glass beaker suddenly turns dark,
preventing light from reaching the photoreceptor and breaking the circuit. Because reaction
time is a function of iodine concentration and can be easily measured, the iodine clock can be
effectively calibrated to control the time and distance that the car travels for.
Circuits

Circuit configuration is essential to maximizing voltage and current

output as differently designed circuits have various electrical properties.
Series circuits allow electrons to flow in only one direction, while parallel
circuits allow electrons to flow in multiple directions.6 Electron flow is
severed when one component of a series circuit fails. Because the car
photoreceptor, 3 motor, and power source are wired in series, the circuit is
broken when the photoreceptor no longer receives light. However, in a
parallel circuit, if one component fails, the rest of the components still
receive electron flow.
 Cost

Material Costs for Alumunium-Air Battery

PRODUCT COST (Rp)
Heavy Duty Alumunium Foil 18.000/ons
Copper Wires (18 gauge x5) 4.000/m2
Slim CD and DVD storage cases 1.500
(50/pk)
White vinegar Distilled 35.000/275 ml
Clorox Bleach 2.000/sachet
Morton Iodized Salt (x2) 3.000/pack
Bounty paper Towels 2.000/box
ACCO Binder Clips 6.500/pack
NSI PVC Tape 6.000/25 m
Black Diamond Premium 3.000/100 gram
Activated Carbon
Total ( incl. taxes) 84.000
 Cost

Material Stopping Mechanism

Material Cost (Rp)
H2O2 21.000/bottle
Betadine (x2) 15.000/bottle
Amilum 39.000/100 gram
Vitamin C IPI 4.000/bottle
Total 94.000

Material Design Car

Material Cost (Rp)
Alkaline Battery 9 volt (x2) 17.000
Flashlight 9.000
Duracell Battery 12.000
Total 29.000
Cost

Total Price for SEFTER:

Total Cost
Rp. 207.000,-

Material Design

Stopping
Mechanism
Alumunium-Air
Safety Feature

1. The product of the Al-Air Batteries is Al(OH)3

This chemical substance is very safe based on MSDS
Enviromental Impact

1. All material abundant in nature

2. Emission free power source
3. Highly efficient chemical energy conversion
Reference

Amoako, Michael. (2014). Optimization of a Chem-E-Car. New

Jersey Governors School of Engineering and Technology.
Thank you