The Chemical Switch Competition

Tulsa Engineering Challenge

Monday, March 14, 2005

Sponsored by AIChE

Dr. Laura Ford

Dr. Christi Patton

Although the Tulsa Engineering Foundation has been sponsoring TEC (the Tulsa Engineering Challenge) for a number of years, 2005 was the first year that Chemical Engineers sponsored a contest.  The purpose of the contest is for the students to devise a way to break an electric circuit using a chemical reaction.  The light must remain lit for at least 30 seconds, but the shortest time greater than 30 seconds wins!  Our winner for the first year dripped acid from a buret onto a strip of magnesium clipped into the circuit. 

     

For the first year, we also encouraged students to try this as a demonstration using a variety of acids and metals.  The students could choose to dissolve a wire in acid:

Or capture the gas evolved from the acid + metal reaction and use it to trip a mechanical switch:

We’re looking forward to an exciting competition in 2006!