Abstract for Chem-Rover

Team Details:

Name of the Participant Azeo-id

1.Vivek Shastry Devalla AZ-VIV-102
2.Pranav Khobragade AZ-PRA-159
3.Pathan Shahid Khan AZ-PAT-103
4.P Ayaan Ali AZ-AYA-101

Chemicals Used:
Name of the chemical Cost of the chemical
1. Aluminium foil 40Rs
2. Activated Carbon 60Rs
3. Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) 30Rs
4. Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3) 10Rs
5. Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) 30Rs
Total Cost 170Rs

Specification of Track:
We are making our Chem-Rover model based on the straight track as described in the Problem
Statement (PS).

Diagram of the Model (Along with Dimensions):

In the diagram we have chosen the scale as 1 unit= 100mm. (For both X and Y axis)
Descriptive setup of the model:
The model consists of the following components i.e. Acrylic chassis, Rubber wheels (4),12 V
DC motors (2), Tic Tac(mint) boxes (3), Hypodermic Syringe (1), Conical Flask (1),1m
Electrical Wire, Electrical Switch, Axle (2).

The chassis is made of acrylic and the dimensions of it are specified in the above 3-d
diagram. The rubber wheels are connected to the base with the help of 2 axles (1 for the
front tires and 1 for the back). 3 slots are given where we will attach Tic Tac boxes in
each slot where the battery will be placed. A groove(depression) is made near the front
side of the base which will support the switch and hypodermic syringe. A space for
conical flask is provided for the stopping reaction which will be described later.

Working Procedure of the model:

i) Starting Mechanism:
The starting reaction is as follows:

At anode:

Al + 3OH- → Al(OH)3 + 3e-

At cathode:

O2 + 2H2O +4e- → 4OH-

So, the Overall reaction is

4Al + 3O2 + 6H2O → 4Al(OH)3

The starting mechanism is given for the aluminium air battery which is shown above.
When you pour the electrolyte (NaOH), aluminium (foil) reacts with it and get’s
oxidised loosing 3 electrons. The oxygen from air is adsorbed on activated carbon
which is supported on mesh. The adsorbed oxygen reduces by accepting 4 electrons
and forms hydroxide ions (in aqueous medium). These hydroxide ions and the oxidised
aluminium forms aluminium hydroxide. The above process describes the functioning
of a typical aluminium air battery.
 ii)Propagation Mechanism:

The aluminium foil and the mesh acts as an electrode for current propagation in the circuit. We
connect the foil and the mesh by alligator clips which completes the circuits and current flows. This
current runs the DC motors which is attached to both the axles thereby rotating the wheels which
are connected to the axle.

iii)Stopping Mechanism:

The stopping reaction used is

NaHCO3 + HCl → NaCl + CO2 +H2O

One of the reactants (NaHCO3) is taken in a balloon. Before starting the car the balloon is kept upside
down (the orifice of the balloon is facing downwards) and is mixed. While the car is propagating, the
piston in the syringe also moves. At a particular time, the piston of the syringe will press the switch
and break the circuit due to which the car would be stopped.