School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

News

Aero Student in Irish Triple Crown Success

Ashleigh Baxter, one of our third-year Aerospace Engineering students, has been part of the Triple Crown winning Irish women’s rugby team – the photo below shows her in action during the victory against Scotland last Saturday!

This is her second season in the Irish team and she no doubt benefits through participation in the Queen’s Rugby Academy, which allows students access to strength, conditioning and physio support, as well as specialised training workshops.

Ashleigh has previously praised the Queen’s Rugby Academy, stating, “The Rugby Academy has been great, and it shows that the University is serious about developing Women’s Rugby. Through the academy I receive free membership in the PEC and strength and conditioning support, which has enabled me to do some extra gym work under expert supervision. A combination of this support has definitely helped me achieve a higher level of performance”.

And it’s not over yet – is the Grand Slam possible?

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UCAS APPLICANTS' OPEN DAY - Saturday 2 March 2013

This event is for all UCAS applicants that have indicated an interested in studying for a degree in our School. It will provide an opportunity to find out more about our School and degree courses. Applicant’s family members are also welcome. Event programme details can be found below, but key information is as follows:

Starting Location:	Whitla Hall
Time:	1.00pm
Date:	Saturday 2 March 2013

The event will include short presentations on our degree courses and conducted tours of the campus. Staff will be there to discuss the merits of our courses and facilities and answer any questions. Light refreshments will be served and proceedings will finish at 5 pm.

A map showing the starting location of the Whitla Hall at Queen’s, which is located beside the main Lanyon Building can be downloaded here. There will be car parking available around the Lanyon Building for this event and this may be accessed via the side entrance at University Square. Alternatively there may be spaces in the car park at the rear of the main campus which is accessed at the top of Botanic Avenue.

To attend this event please email mech.aero@qub.ac.uk or telephone 028 9097 4147, indicating your name and the number attending. The deadline to confirm attendance is 28 February 2013.

Programme

Presentations:	Whitla Hall
1.00 pm	Welcome Professor Mark Price, Head of School
1.05 pm	Why Queen’s? Grace Meehan, Student Recruitment Team
1.15 pm	School Overview Dr Geoff Cunningham
1.30 pm	Admissions – Next Steps Sandra Bloomer, Admissions and Access Service

Subject Presentations:

	Mechanical Engineering (Whitla Hall)	Product Design & Development (Great Hall)	Aerospace Engineering (Canada Room)
1.50-2.05 pm	Dr Peter Martin	Mr Paul Hermon	Dr Juliana Early
2.10-2.25 pm	Dr Peter Martin	Mr Paul Hermon	Dr Juliana Early

Campus Tours:

Ashby Building – Engineering Teaching Facility:

2.00-5.00 pm	The Ashby Building is located on the Stranmillis Road; approx 5 minutes walk from the Lanyon Building.  At this venue you will be able to view exhibits and information stands relating to the following areas:
	Engineering Employers (1st floor) Work Placements (1st floor) Computer Laboratories (1st floor) Aerospace Engineering (2nd floor) Mechanical Engineering (2nd floor) Product Design and Development (2nd floor) Project Based Learning/CDIO (2nd floor) International Study Opportunities (2nd floor) Admissions and Access Service (2nd floor) Support Services (2nd floor)
Ashby Building – Laboratory tours:
2.00-5.00 pm	Polymer Processing Hall (Ground Floor) Engineering Workshop (Ground Floor) Engine Test Laboratory (Ground Floor)
Ashby Building – Refreshments:
2.00-5.00 pm	Light refreshments, Ashby Foyer
Accommodation – Elms Student Village:
2.30-5.00 pm	Shuttle buses will run from the front of the Ashby to Elms Village approximately every 30 minutes from 2.30 pm. Estimated departure times from the Ashby are: 2.30, 3.00, 3.30 and 4.00 pm.  The tour will last approximately 20 minutes, buses returning to the Ashby.
McClay Library:
2.30-5.00 pm	The McClay Library is located at the rear of the main site beside the entrance to Botanic Gardens. Independent access to browse the facility is available on request at the Reception.
Queen’s Sport – Physical Education Centre (PEC):
2.30-5.00 pm	The PEC is located at the lower end of Botanic Gardens; approximately 5 minutes walk. Meet at the PE Centre reception for a formal tour at: 3.45, 4.15 and 4.45 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering gratefully acknowledges the assistance and support of the employers attending this event: 

• Schrader Electronics, Antrim
• B/E Aerospace, Kilkeel
• Michelin, Ballymena
• Whale Pumps, Bangor
• Terex, Dungannon
• Jaguar Land Rover, Coventry

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ExxonMobil Excellence in Teaching Awards 2012

Dr Trevor Robinson, a lecturer in our School, has been selected to receive an ExxonMobil Excellence in Teaching Award.

The award identifies and rewards Centres of Excellence in Engineering Teaching in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Those selected have distinguished themselves within their peer group by showing a strong and continuing commitment to teaching, professional activities, promoting engineering as a rewarding and creative career, establishing industrial-academic links and other activities which ultimately ensure the output of top-quality.

Trevor joins a notable list of colleagues from our School who have received this award in the past and helps sustain our goal to provide the best possible student learning experience!

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Spin-out company wins all-island business prize

Belfast-based Catagen was named the Best High Growth Company at InterTradeIreland’s 2012 all-island Seedcorn Business Competition. The event, which took place at the Titanic Belfast on 28 November, is the largest business competition on the island. As the Best High Growth Company on the island, Catagen won the overall cash prize of €100,000.

Catagen, manufactures a range of rapid age testing equipment for the Catalytic Converter Testing market, a critical part of the global automobile industry. This market is driven by stringent Environmental Protection legislation worldwide, aimed at reducing harmful exhaust emissions.

Dr Andrew Woods, CEO of Catagen said: “We are absolutely delighted to win the High Growth Category in the All Island Seedcorn competition. It is an important milestone for Catagen, and yet another independent validation of our world beating carbon reducing technology, business model, and growth trajectory. Having already generated significant sales and profits from our catalyst testing technology, the prize money provides a welcome additional boost to our capital resources. It will be used to assist the closing of our sales pipeline opportunities with international vehicle manufacturers, and enable us to invest in the development of our Northern Ireland manufacturing operations. The IntertradeIreland Seedcorn competition has been a very enjoyable and thorough learning experience for the Catagen management team.”

Arlene Foster, Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Investment, said: “Over the last ten years the Seedcorn Competition has provided a much needed boost to many start-up companies. As the preparation involved for the competition so closely mirrors the requirements of the fund-raising process, many of the successful companies have been able to use this as a platform to look for further backing. This risk capital provided to private companies by equity investors is an essential element in the funding eco-system to foster entrepreneurship, innovation and growth in our economies.

Thomas Hunter McGowan, CEO for InterTradeIreland added: “We are in the tenth year of what is now the biggest and one of the most prestigious business competitions on the island for early stage/high growth companies in any sector. Once again, we have been excited by the outstanding calibre of the business plans and the final ‘investment pitches’, all of which are a testament to the level of innovation and entrepreneurial excellence on the island. We are looking forward to following and encouraging this year’s winners in their future business development in the hope that they will replicate the success of those who have won in previous years.”

http://www.intertradeireland.com
www.catagen.co.uk

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