Very often, members of a discipline assoc are not seen looking forward to events after APOGEE but Apoorv Tandon, co-ordinator of the Chemical Engineering Assoc, is an exception. In his words, this APOGEE will be used as a stepping stone for the nationwide SCHEMCON to be conducted in Pilani later this year. But that has not stopped the Chemical Engineering Association from hosting a number of interesting events this APOGEE.
Previously seen events being conducted by the assoc are Resource Optimisation and ChemPro, along with the shiny new addition of Chemica. Resource Optimisation, an event having on the spot registration, requiring participants to build a chemical plant that utilizes the given resources to the maximum. In ChemPro, participants will be given a sample of sewage water and they would be required to remove the impurities from it, as efficiently as possible. Having received registrations from various IITs, Chemica is perhaps the most attractive event. Participants have to build a car in such a way that it works entirely on chemical reactions, like on exothermic reactions for an example.
The assoc has also received a number of interesting projects that caught our attention. One involved removal of heavy ions from aqueous solutions using fly ash as a low cost sorbent. Another one was about generation of X-rays without using electricity. One more project that may please a significant number of people should it be successful involved the production of Ethanol from municipal sewage (as a fuel and solvent, not what you’re thinking!)
When asked about the effect that the construction work going on in Pilani would have on the functioning on the Assoc and on APOGEE in general, Apoorv said that while the Assoc would function as effectively as it previously has, the stalls that are set up bang in the middle of C-Lawns might be affected to a certain extent, although not so much that the success of the fest might be hindered. In conclusion, it was clear for all to see that Apoorv Tandon was planning some big things for the SCHEMCON that is soon to hit the chimerical shores of Pilani and also ensure that while doing so, APOGEE does not feel left out. We wish him and the Assoc the very best of luck for their future endeavours.
