Innovation, creativity, and chemical engineering expertise will take center stage at the 6th Annual ChemE Cube™ Competition, powered by the RAPID Manufacturing Institute® and ExxonMobil. This year’s finalists will showcase their designs at the 2026 AIChE Annual Student Conference, November 6–9 in Minneapolis, MN.
The two-day event kicks off Sunday, November 8, with team presentations and pitches, followed by final demonstrations and awards on Monday, November 9.
Meet the 2026 finalists
More than 60 teams competed in this year's ChemE Cube Competition. The following 24 teams have advanced as finalists:
- Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
- Colorado School of Mines
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- James Madison University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Missouri S&T
- North Carolina State University (NCSU)
- Princeton University
- Purdue University
- Stanford University
- Tec de Monterrey
- Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto Universitario de Mayagüez (UPRM)
- University at Buffalo
- University of British Columbia
- University of California, Irvine (UCI)
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- University of Florida
- University of Illinois, Chicago (UIC)
- University of Michigan
- University of Nebraska – Lincoln
- University of South Carolina
- University of Toronto
- Virginia Tech
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
What is ChemE Cube?
Since its launch in 2020 by the RAPID Manufacturing Institute, ChemE Cube has challenged undergraduate students to think like chemical engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Teams design, build, and demonstrate a fully functioning chemical process within a one-cubic-foot plant, tackling a new engineering challenge each year.
In addition to competing on cube performance, teams showcase their technology through a one-minute advertisement, poster presentation, and startup-style pitch to a panel of mock investors. The competition combines technical problem-solving with communication and creativity, challenging students to develop and defend their ideas in a competitive environment.
Why participate?
ChemE Cube gives students the opportunity to apply chemical engineering concepts to a real-world challenge while developing skills in teamwork, project management, communication, and problem-solving. Participants also connect with peers from other universities, engage with industry professionals, and showcase their work at the AIChE Annual Student Conference.
Watch the video below for an inside look at how students tackled the ChemE Cube challenge, designing and testing solutions for direct air capture and regeneration.
New for 2026: Logo Design Challenge
This year, ChemE Cube participants will have another opportunity to showcase their creativity through the new Logo Design Challenge. In addition to designing and demonstrating their cube, teams will create a custom logo that reflects their project's identity, technology, or approach to the competition.
More details about the Logo Design Challenge will be announced later this summer.
Thank you to our sponsor
A special thank you to ExxonMobil for its continued support of ChemE Cube. Opportunities like this help provide students with meaningful, hands-on experiences that extend beyond the classroom, empowering the next generation of chemical engineers to learn, innovate, and grow.
If your organization is interested in supporting the continued growth of ChemE Cube, please contact Tania Babiuk at TaniB@AIChE.org.
