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Robotics team enters alternative fuel competition
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Members of Team 862 Lightning Robotics from the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park will compete in the exclusive For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) competition using fuel cells in competition robots.The next idea in alternative fuel or energy sources may come from a group of current high school students.
A team of robotics enthusiasts from the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park has begun an exclusive competition involving alternative fuel and energy resources.
Team 862 Lightning Robotics, a robotics club combining students from Plymouth, Canton and Salem high schools is one of 50 For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) high school clubs selected to demonstrate the use of fuel cells in competition robots.
“The fuel cells project calls for students to research how fuel cells work and why it works,” said Jay Obfniuk, a robotics and electronics teacher at Plymouth-Canton. He advises Team 862 and will help them prepare for the “Green Machine” challenge.
Obfnick said the students must meet a very demanding list of objectives, including researching the development and feasibility of using fuel cells, a non-pollution energy source that uses hydrogen and oxygen for power, in lieu of fossil fuels.
After the students complete their research and submit their paperwork to contest officials, they must design their fuel cell pack and then successfully activate a robot using the cells. The robots will be tested in February at Eastern Michigan University.
“Our goal is to see if we can create a robot that can be fueled by using this power source,” Obfnick added.
The students are so serious about the project, they elected leaders to hold accountable and to disseminate tasks.
Carolyn Jagadics, a sophomore from Canton who serves as the group secretary, said the 55-member club meets at least once a week. Jagadics makes sure to complete her homework before the meeting and monitors her other social activities in order to participate in the project.
“It’s a great opportunity for the team to work with new energies. I have a lot of fun with it,” Jagadics said.
Matthew Korveniowski, president of Team 182, said the competition gives him and his teammates valuable experience working with future energy sources.
“It gives us the chance to work on the cutting edge of technology,” said the Salem senior, who plans to major in mechanical engineering at either the University of Michigan or Michigan Tech.
Korveniowski believes if fuel cells can be developed as a reliable energy source, it will help reduce the emissions caused from gas and lessen the need for foreign oil. However, he realizes another problem may arise.
“We still need hydrogen and we have to make sure we can produce a domestic supply of it.”
