The undergraduates took first place Sunday at the Chem-E-Car chemical engineering competition in Atlanta, where teams from around the world try to propel their respective boxcars the farthest with an alternative fuel source. The hydrogen power inside Utah’s boxcar, dubbed Helena Handbasket, sent it the farthest on the 84-foot race track, stopping only 9 centimeters from the finish line.
“It feels awesome. It feels amazing,” said senior Victor Crane, a member of the 25-person Utah team, during their celebration Sunday afternoon. The Utah students chose their hydrogen fuel cell this year because of its accuracy and reliability, and since it’s easy to calibrate. It’s also educational to understand how fuel cells work, Crane, a chemical engineering major, said. — Salt Lake Tribune