How McMaster Students Used the H-30 Fuel Cell to Power Their Chem-E-Car Success
From Textbooks to Teamwork: Hydrogen Fuel Education in Action
Universities across the globe are searching for ways to transform traditional engineering curricula into hands-on, clean energy learning experiences. At McMaster University, a group of passionate chemical engineering students did just that — by building a hydrogen-powered car using the H-30 Fuel Cell from Horizon Educational and competing in the prestigious Chem-E-Car Competition.
Looking to integrate the H-30 Fuel Cell into your own STEM project? Contact us today to get started.
What Is the Chem-E-Car Competition?
Hosted by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), the Chem-E-Car Competition challenges students to build a shoebox-sized vehicle powered and stopped entirely by chemical reactions.
Competition Highlights:
- Vehicle Size: Must fit inside a standard shoebox
- Energy Source: Chemical reactions (e.g., hydrogen, electrochemistry)
- Objective: Travel a precise distance using chemistry alone — no conventional motors or electronics
This competition offers a unique intersection of chemical engineering, sustainable energy, and collaborative design, giving students real-world STEM experience.
Meet the Team Behind the Car
The McMaster Chem-E-Car Team isn’t just building a car — they’re building confidence, leadership skills, and a future in sustainable engineering.
“I first joined because my cousin told me about the club — I had no idea it would end up shaping my whole university experience,” said one team leader. “Helping reboot the club in 2021 and then leading it as President gave me skills in risk management, communication, and mentoring that I’ll carry forever.”
Student Voices: What This Project Meant to Them
“Working on this car taught me how to manage a real project — not just a lab assignment planned by a professor, but something unpredictable, with real data and real challenges.”
— Anna, Final Year Chemical Engineering, VP Finance
“I actually landed an internship at Tesla, and I’m sure my Chem-E-Car experience helped. I talked about it in my interviews — the hands-on work, the problem-solving, the teamwork — it all made a difference.”
— Quinn, VP Finance
Why the Team Chose the H-30 Fuel Cell
The McMaster team needed a compact, high-performing, and easy-to-integrate hydrogen solution. That’s why they chose the H-30 Fuel Cell from Horizon Educational.
“We’ve used hydrogen-powered cars for three years now, and the H-30 Fuel Cell has consistently delivered the best results,” said Somia Rehman, Team President. “It’s plug-and-play, reliable, and lets us focus on optimizing our chemistry and mechanics.”
Horizon Fuel Cell Benefits at a Glance:
- Plug-and-Play Simplicity
- Compact Design to Fit Competition Constraints
- Reliable Performance Under Pressure
- Hands-On Hydrogen Learning for Students
“Building a fuel cell ourselves would have taken months — and might have failed. The H-30 let us focus on engineering, not troubleshooting.”
The Engineering Behind the Project: From Reaction to Motion
The car’s power system is a fusion of chemistry and engineering excellence. Hydrogen is generated using a reaction between zinc and hydrochloric acid, catalyzed by copper sulfate. That hydrogen is then fed into the H-30 Fuel Cell, which converts it into electricity to power the vehicle’s motor.
Why It Matters:
- Students applied reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and electrical circuit design
- They experienced the reality of building and testing a system — including when things didn’t go to plan
- The H-30 Fuel Cell’s reliability enabled students to focus on refining their process, rather than fixing the power source
A Journey of Growth: From Rebooting to National Recognition
The team’s story isn’t just about a car — it’s about perseverance, innovation, and mentorship.
“In 2021, we had nothing — no car, no experience. We couldn’t even get parts on time due to COVID. So we entered the poster competition instead, and placed third!”
“Each year since, we’ve grown stronger. We’ve built working cars, placed in the top ranks, and even bounced back from setbacks — like when our circuit lead fell ill during regionals, and we had to upload emergency code just to make the car move.”
Real STEM Learning, Real Impact
Unlike traditional coursework, the Chem-E-Car experience gave students a multi-disciplinary, real-world engineering challenge.
“You’re not just following a lab manual. You’re learning how to debug circuits, troubleshoot fuel cells, manage a budget, and lead a team — all while applying your classroom theory in real time.”
“And you bond deeply with your teammates. You spend hours problem-solving together, hitting roadblocks, and finally getting that car to move. Nothing in class compares to that feeling.”
Mentorship and Knowledge Transfer: Inspiring Future Engineers
The McMaster Chem-E-Car Team is also committed to building the next generation of hydrogen innovators.
Every year, they recruit new students across engineering disciplines and offer internal workshops in:
- Circuitry and coding
- Mechanical design
- Chemical system integration
- Project and risk management
“It’s about more than building a car — it’s about mentoring new students, sharing knowledge across disciplines, and preparing each other for the real world.”
Why Universities Choose the H-30 Fuel Cell for STEM Education
At Horizon Educational, we’ve helped thousands of students and educators unlock the potential of hydrogen energy education. The H-30 Fuel Cell is specifically designed for academic environments:
- Pre-configured for easy student use
- Built-in safety features for lab safety
- Clean, sustainable energy output
- Supported with global documentation and training resources
Learn more about our hydrogen fuel cell kits for education.
Quick Recap: Why the H-30 Fuel Cell Is a Game-Changer for Universities
- Ideal for Chem-E-Car, capstone, and engineering design project
- Simple integration and high reliability
- Real-world hydrogen fuel education for students
- Scalable for multi-disciplinary academic programs
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re an educator, program director, or student leader looking to implement sustainable STEM education or a hydrogen car curriculum, the H-30 Fuel Cell is the solution you’ve been searching for.
Contact us today to bring hydrogen learning to life on your campus.