Students Excel at Inaugural RAPID® ChemE Cube Competition
![](https://www.aiche.org/sites/default/files/styles/rapid_detail_news_event/public/images/news/2021-rapid-cheme-cube-teams-web.png?itok=4APSXHRi)
Student teams from five RAPID Member universities (Carnegie Mellon, Missouri University of Science and Technology, NC State, University of Delaware, and University of Pittsburgh) participated in the pilot competition (2020-2021 season) on November 8 at the 2021 AIChE Annual Meeting to design, build, and demonstrate a one-cubic foot plant. Designed around the 2021 theme of modular on-demand water purification, teams effectively demonstrated:
- Teamwork
- Creativity & Innovation
- Sustainable Development
- Diversity & Inclusion
Teams competed on cube performance via a head-to-head duel and promoted their technology through a three-minute ad, poster, and 20-minute "shark tank" style pitch to a panel of mock investors, with the University of Delaware team (shown right) ultimately winning first place at the inaugural competition.
Congratulations to all the teams for their impressive work leading up to and during the event. The RAPID team is grateful to all students, faculty advisors, and volunteers who helped make the event a success. We look forward to further development of the ChemE Cube Competition!