Institution news
The diverse subject of mechatronics was recently celebrated with the revival of an Institution prize. The winner, Newcastle University student Zi JieChoong, was awarded €500 at the finals, held at One Birdcage Walk.
- 1st Prize of €500 was awarded to Zi JieChoong, Newcastle University, for his project “Assistive Electronic Travel Aids for Elderly with Low Vision”
- 2nd Prize of €300 was awarded to Nicolas Paulus, Cranfield University, for his project “Integration of Supercapacitors to the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid”
- 3rd Prize of €200 was awarded to Zane Brough, Lancaster University, for his project “Solar Panel Deployable System”
The awards were sponsored by the prestigious Johannes Kepler University (JKU) of Linz in Austria.
Ken Rotter, who spearheaded the re-launch of the award, is a member of the
Mechatronics, Informatics and Control Group. Ken has been involved with the Mechatronics Forum, part of this group, since 1994, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology.
He said: “Mechatronics is not aligned to one particular industry, but crosses many disciplines. This is not a hindrance but a great benefit, allowing cross-pollination with other sectors and between our engineering colleagues. It’s a subject that sometimes goes under the radar, and we are now raising its profile and that of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers with it.”
Next year the Institution prize will be open to undergraduate and Masters students from European universities, with the finalists presenting their projects at the
Mechatronics Forum at Loughborough University in September 2016.
The three finalists – shortlisted by a panel including Professor Rudolf Scheidl from JKU, Ken Rotter and Professor Philip Moore, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Falmouth University – reflected the wide scope of mechatronics and the fields into which it feeds. One project focused on applications in hybrid vehicles; one in space technology; and the winner in biomechanical engineering.
Zi Jie’s project was a prototype mobility aid for partially sighted elderly people who use a walking frame. It incorporates sonar sensors, analysis by microcomputer, wireless links and coordinating technology worn by the user. The equipment warns users, via gentle vibrations on a wristband, of the direction and proximity of hazards as they navigate a space.
Zi Jie, who has Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Science degrees from Newcastle University, carried out his studies under the supervision of Dr Jack Hale FIMechE. Zi Jie is now working on his PhD, conducting research on ultra-high precision micro-machining.
He said: “My interest is in the development of Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies (ARTs) and specifically in the form of medical products to help improve people’s lives. Studying mechatronics, I get to learn skills from both mechanical and electrical engineering required for such development.
“Winning the Mechatronics Student Prize with this project was one of the greatest achievements of my life so far. I am very appreciative to Newcastle University for nominating me to participate in such a meaningful competition, and also to the Institution for shortlisting my project for the finals.
"The experience at the Institution's headquarters was fantastic. The competition provides an excellent platform for mechatronics students to network and also receive professional comments to better facilitate any future developments.”
Ken Rotter commented that the committee members appreciated all the presentations, and were looking forward to next year’s event.
For further information about the 2016 Mechatronics Engineering Student of the Year competition, please contact Taz Khatun +44 (0)20 7304 6996 or email ge@imeche.org.