News and Events
Queen’s University will be running two Engineering Parents’ Evenings for pupils in years 12-14 at school, and their parents, as follows:-
Whitla Hall, Queen’s University Belfast, Wednesday 2 November 2011, 7.00–9.30 pm
and
St Columb’s College, Buncrana Road, Derry, Wednesday 16 November 2011, 7.00–9.30 pm
If you would like to attend this event, please register using one of the following methods:-
- Register online at http://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/EngineeringParentsEvening/ OR
- Download and complete the reply slip below and return by email to m.t.maguire@qub.ac.uk OR
- Complete and post to Marie-Therese Maguire, School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Ashby Building, Queen’s University Belfast BT9 5AH.
Early registration is recommended as this is a popular event for prospective students and their parents.
Reply Date: Wednesday 26 October for the Belfast event and 6 November for the Derry event.
Download information re.
Parents Evening Letter 2011
Dr. Yannis Salomeia and Dr. Gary Menary from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering have enjoyed success at the 25k Awards which were presented on the 29th September 2011 at a gala ceremony in the Titanic’s Dock & Pump-House. The awards organised by the Northern Ireland Science Park are are designed to identify the best knowledge-based ideas and intellectual property from the research base in Northern Ireland with the most commercial potential. Dr. Salomeia and Dr. Menary won the Clean Technologies category through the development of a device for measuring one of the most critical parameters in the stretch blow moulding process. The device facilitates PET bottle manufacturers to significantly reduce the use of material in their containers as well as optimise the use of energy during the process. Dr. Salomeia now plans to build on the success and valuable experience gained from the 25k awards process through the foundation of a new company “Blow Moulding Technologies” (www.bmt-ni.com). Dr. Salomeia said “The patent pending technology has already been implemented in a prototype device called THERMOscan. Discussions with multinational companies, such as Evian (part of the DANONE group) and Proctor & Gamble, are quite advanced. The device has the potential of saving them more than 2000 tonnes of PET per year which will have a significant environmental impact and with the recent upsurge in raw material costs savings of £3M/ year.”
The school of Mechanical and Aerospace engineering recently hosted the annual ESAFORM conference, the official conference of the European Scientific Association of Material Forming between 26 to the 28th April 2011. 330 delegates were in attendance from 33 different countries.
The conference was organised into 21 mini symposia with over 300 papers presented in 10 parallel sessions covering various aspects of material forming processes. Metals, polymers and composites forming processes were all covered with papers dedicated to understanding how these materials behave at multiple length scales during complex forming conditions as well as novel numerical and experimental techniques for process characterisation and optimisation.
The conference also had several keynote speakers, Prof. Roy. Crawford from University of Waikato, New Zealand (a former Head of Department for Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research at Queens University Belfast) gave a talk on "Reinventing Roto Moudling" and Prof. Paul Dawson from Cornell University, USA gave a talk on "Coupling Crystal-Scale Behaviors with Metal Forming Simulations". Dr. Serge Batkam from Danone gave an industrial perspective on the challenges in manufacturing applied to packaging and Gino Duffett from Aperio Technologies presented ideas on the future use of numerical simulation in optimisation of manufacturing processes.
The Vice-Chancellor (second right) is pictured at the launch with (from left) Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster, Planning Minister Edwin Poots, Professor Richard Barnett, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ulster; and Michael Ryan, Vice-President and General Manager, Bombardier Aerospace
Queen’s is playing a leading role in a new £6 million research centre which will meet the needs of the manufacturing sector in Northern Ireland and beyond.
The Northern Ireland Advanced Composites and Engineering Centre (NIACE), to be located on Airport Road, Belfast is scheduled to open this autumn.
The construction of the centre will be financed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) through the Strategic Investment Fund, Invest Northern Ireland and Bombardier Aerospace. Invest NI’s support is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Queen’s and the University of Ulster will co-own and operate the 3,700 sq m facility.
Launching the Centre, Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "This flagship centre will become the focal point for advanced materials as well as engineering research and development in Northern Ireland. In particular, it will enable the advancement of composites technology across a range of industrial sectors.
"The state-of-the-art facility will offer firms the opportunity to develop technologies that will maintain their competitiveness and support their future business needs.
“The research centre will also encourage more companies to work together on their R&D projects, potentially leading to the development of cutting edge, commercially successful new products. This collaboration will protect and grow business in Northern Ireland especially within the advanced manufacturing sector, which is key to economic recovery.”
Queen’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Gregson said: "All of us here today share a commitment to Northern Ireland’s future prosperity. We are also aware of the need to develop new, and innovative, technological solutions to ensure the competitiveness of our companies, both prime contractors and supply chain organisations. As part of the network of UK Advanced Manufacturing Centres, NIACE will provide world-class support for Northern Ireland in this important area of advanced engineering."
Environment Minister Edwin Poots, who attended the event, commented: "The tangible benefits of an efficient and effective planning system can be seen in this £6million investment project. Working in partnership with all the parties involved allowed the Planning Service to process the application for NIACE in nine weeks. This will enable the project to proceed on schedule and has highlighted what our planning system can deliver."
The Centre will develop advanced materials with a major focus on carbon fibre composites for Low Carbon Vehicles. Queen’s already has a strong track record as a leading centre in this area of research. The University’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, one of the top 10 in the UK in the 2008 RAE, works closely with research institutions and with the aerospace and allied industries worldwide.
Media inquiries to: Anne Langford, Communications Office, +44 (0)28 9097 5310, mob. 07815 871997, a.langford@qub.ac.uk
Queen’s University will be running two Engineering Parents’ Evenings for pupils in years 12-14 at school, and their parents, as follows:-
Whitla Hall, Queen’s University, Belfast, Wednesday 13 October 2010, 7-9 pm
and
St Columb’s College, Buncrana Road, Derry, Wednesday 17 November 2010, 7-9 pm
For further information, please download the online reservation form and return by email to m.t.maguire@qub.ac.uk or post to Marie-Therese Maguire, School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Ashby Building, Queen’s University Belfast BT9 5AH.
Early registration is recommended as this is a popular event for prospective students and their parents.
Reply Date: Wednesday 6 October 2010
Download information re.
Engineering Parents' Evening Reservation Form
Student of the Year Vincent Murray
Vincent Murray, from Ballygowan, who led a number of peace and reconciliation and environmental projects as Chairperson of SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) at Queen’s, is this year’s Student of the Year.
SIFE is a global network dedicated to nurturing students’ entrepreneurial skills to benefit their careers and the wider community. In his role as Chairperson, Vincent also contributed to the portfolio of activities which resulted in Queen’s becoming the Times Higher Education Entrepreneurial University of the Year.
A member of the Students’ Union Management Board, Vincent serves as a Trustee of Share-Uganda, a student-led charity pioneered by SIFE that works with orphaned children in southern Uganda.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified people who wish to be included on the School’s register of tutors in the academic year 2010/11 for all subject areas including:-
a) Mechanical Engineering
b) Aerospace Engineering
c) Product Design & Development
d) Engineering Mathematics
e) Professional Education of Engineers – subjects include, but not limited to Law, Accountancy, Economics, Management, Health & Safety.
All applicants must hold at least a 2.2 Hons degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline to the subject area applied for. Experience of teaching or demonstrating at university/further education level in a relevant subject area is desirable. A postgraduate qualification is also desirable. Successful applicants will assist permanent staff in the delivery of teaching and conduct of assessment to agreed standards including for example, tutorials, laboratories, preparing, teaching and assessing classes. Successful applicants will be placed on a register from which part-time tutors may be appointed as the need arises. Registration will be for a period of 4 years. Part-time tutors will be engaged under a contract for services and will not be employees of the University.
Payments: The standard rate of pay will be £33 per hour for an agreed schedule of work (rate may vary according to qualifications and experience).
To apply, please complete the on-line Summary Application form from www.qub.ac.uk/mechaero and return the form plus full c.v. by email to jo.toner@qub.ac.uk indicating availability in terms of hours per week during the University semesters, September – December and February – May. Alternatively you may post your application to Miss Josephine Toner, School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Ashby Building, Queen’s University Belfast, BT9 5AH.
Closing Date: 5.00 pm Friday 28 May 2010
Download information re.
Part Time Tutors Summary Application Form
Part Time Tutors Further Details
MARCH 13
The School is holding a UCAS Post-Offer Open Day at 2.00 pm on Saturday 13 March 2010 for all prospective students holding offers for our undergraduate degree programmes for September 2010 entry. Everyone holding an offer will be sent an invitation and early registration is recommended as this is a popular day for prospective students and their parents. The programme will include degree programme information, an exhibition, opportunity to meet staff and students and tours of the campus.
If you are unable to attend our Open Day and are interested in visiting the School on an individual basis or have any other questions, please contact Marie-Therese Maguire, email: m.t.maguire@qub.ac.uk or Tel. 028 9097 4383.
Due to an unexpected electrical outage the Ashby Building will be closed from Monday 1Feb until further notice. All lectures due to take place in the Ashby Building on Monday 1 Feb are cancelled. Lecture due to take place in the Ashby from Tuesday 2 Feb onwards will be relocated to other rooms in the University where possible. The new locations for classes during the closure are currently being finalised and will be communicated to all students as soon as possible.
Updates and further information will be communicated by email, the School website (www.qub.ac.uk/mechaero) and the Student Centre SharePoint site (https://intranet.qol.qub.ac.uk/schools/smae/student/default.aspx).
Orla Brown
Orla Brown, formerly of Sacred Heart Grammar School, Newry, was recently awarded best oral presentation at the 22nd Bioceramics conference held in Daegu, South Korea in October 2009. The conference was a multidisciplinary meeting, bringing together researchers from engineering, science, dentistry and medicine to share and discuss their latest achievements for future breakthroughs in the field.
The title of Orla’s presentation was “Resorption of Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Ceramics.” The work presented outlined part of her PhD research, the premise of which is modelling the influence of calcium phosphate properties on bioresorption. Biphasic calcium phosphates (BCPs) are used as bone grafts or bone substitute materials for medical and dental applications. The development of these ceramics involves controlling how they resorb, or dissolve, in the body. The project aim is to study the dissolution of BCPs in an environment similar to that of the body and link the outcome back to the composition and processing conditions. The data obtained will be used as a first step towards generating a mathematical model which will enable the prediction of the rate of bioresorption of BCPs.
The project is funded by the Department for Employment and Learning. Orla is supervised by Dr Fraser Buchanan, Dr Marion McAfee and Dr Susan A Clarke.
Photo (from l to r): Dr N Dunne, Prof PJ Prendergast, Ms M Ruijter, Prof P Gregson, Dr A Lennon, Dr S Clarke, Dr F Buchanan.
In summary, the project seeks to develop methods to simulate scaffold bioresorption due to dissolution arising from contact with body fluids. These methods will be combined with computational mechano-biology models for tissue differentiation to optimise properties and dissolution rates of bioresorbable scaffolds for tissue engineering. This is the only North/South collaborative grant in Bioengineering funded by Science Foundation Ireland this year.
Photo (from l to r): Dr T McNally (QUB), Prof S McCarthy (UMass), Dr M McAfee (QUB), Prof R Kennedy (DCU), Prof E Harkin-Jones (QUB), Dr F Buchanan (QUB), Prof P Hornsby (QUB), Prof J Ducree (DCU), Dr C Fagan (DCU), Dr N Dunne (QUB), B MacCraith (DCU), Ms V Drakoulakos (UMass), Mr F Talty (UMass)
Rochelle O'Hara
Rochelle O’Hara, a second year PhD student from Belfast, was announced the winner of the World Young Persons' Lecture Competition Port Elizabeth, South Africa on October 14, receiving a certificate, a trophy and £700 in prize money.
To compete in the World Young Persons' Lecture Competition, Rochelle needed to fight off stiff competition at provincial and national level. On 29 April she won the UK national final, which gave her the prestigious opportunity to represent the UK and competed against one of five other national winners in South Africa.
Rochelle, who is undertaking a three-year postgraduate research position within the University’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, submitted a 15-minute presentation on ‘Development of an Injectable Medical Material for Spinal Repair’.
The presentation explored how the properties of calcium phosphate bone cement (CPC) can be improved to make it less brittle and more suitable for load bearing applications.
Calcium phosphate bone cements offer the potential to resorb and promote the formation of new bone. CPCs may be a suitable candidate for the restoration of the vertebral body after spinal fractures.
However, current CPC systems have low mechanical properties and are highly brittle and not suited for load bearing applications. An EPSRC collaborative project between the Queen’s University Belfast and University of Leeds is currently developing calcium phosphate based cements, which could potentially be applied to repair bone fractures within load-bearing joints. One of the strategies being investigated by Rochelle is the introduction of materials such as natural collagen fibres, which may provide a way of improving the mechanical integrity of the cement.
Rochelle’s lecture explains the production process of a CPC system, and describes the effects on the mechanical and handling properties with the addition of collagen fibres.
The international judging panel, which comprised of university academics, industrialists and leading member of the IOM3 society were very impressed by the professionalism and enthusiasm shown by Rochelle during her lecture.
Hosted by the IOM3 South Africa local societies, the competition attracted audience members from industrial sponsors, university academics, ambassadors from participants’ countries and executives from multinational companies.
The competition was sponsored by a number of companies, including CBMM, Rolls-Royce, Protea Polymers and Algorax.
After the World Young Persons' Lecture Competition, the delegation was hosted for 5 days by South African local societies and sponsors. Technical tours of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University showed the competitors a taste of the different research and development facilities in South Africa.
One of the highlights of the trip for Rochelle was the one-day trip to the Addo National Elephant Park, where she had the opportunity to see first-hand the diverse wildlife in South Africa.
For enquiries please contact: Dr Nicholas Dunne,+44 (0)28 9097 4122; n.dunne@qub.ac.ukFor further details, please see Royal Academy of Engineering Bombardier Chair in Aerospace Composites.
Rochelle O'Hara
A Queen’s University student has won the prestigious 2009 IOM3 Young Persons’ Lecture Competition.
Rochelle O’Hara, a second year PhD student from Belfast, was announced a regional winner of the contest in London on April 29.
She is one of seven regional winners and as well as being presented with a £750 cheque, she will travel to South Africa to represent UK and compete in the world final of the competition.
Rochelle, who is undertaking a three-year postgraduate research position within the university’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, submitted a 15-minute presentation on ‘Development of an Injectable Medical Material for Spinal Repair’.
The presentation explored how the properties of calcium phosphate bone cement (CPC) can be improved to make it less brittle and more suitable for load bearing applications.
Rochelle said: “Winning the competition was a total shock as the other competitors were of an extremely high standard. I am very happy and excited to be going to South Africa for the world finals.”
“My research is focused on developing a novel injectable cement for the treatment of burst fractures which are highly traumatic spinal injuries. This technique is minimally invasive, whereas traditional options include fusing the spinal fragments together using metal screws or rods.
“The competition was a great chance to represent Queen’s University and I feel extremely privileged to have been given such a fantastic opportunity.”
Calcium phosphate bone cements offer the potential to resorb and promote the formation of new bone. CPCs may be a suitable candidate for the restoration of the vertebral body after spinal fractures.
However, current CPC systems have low mechanical properties and are highly brittle and not suited for load bearing applications. The introduction of materials such as natural collagen fibres, may provide a way of improving the mechanical integrity of the cement.
Rochelle’s lecture explains the production process of a CPC system, and describes the effects on the mechanical and handling properties with the addition of collagen fibres.
Sponsored by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, with support from The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers, the Young Persons’ Lecture Competition (YPLC) hosts a number of lecture competitions. The YPLC is organised by the Institute’s Local Affairs Board.
Notes to editors
Calcium phosphate bone cements, which repair ‘burst fractures’ of the spine are being developed and tested in a major new collaborative project between Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Leeds. The team (Dr Fraser Buchanan, Dr Nicholas Dunne, Professor John Orr and Dr Susan Clarke) has been awarded just under £500,000 by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to develop and examine the effects of novel cement materials for the treatment of burst fractures.
Bone cements, similar to those used in joint replacement surgery, are already being used to strengthen damaged vertebrae of patients with diseases such as osteoporosis, in a procedure known as ‘vertebroplasty’. However ‘burst fractures’ to the spine and injuries sustained in major impact accidents and falls are much more difficult to treat. They account for over 1,000 emergency NHS admissions each year and often require highly complex, invasive surgery and a long stay in hospital.
To use bone cements for ‘burst fractures’ would be a simpler, quicker and much less invasive surgical approach for the patient, reducing both recovery times and NHS costs.
For enquiries please contact: Dr Nicholas Dunne, , +44 (0)28 9097 4122, n.dunne@qub.ac.ukThe Sir Bernard Crossland Bursary is awarded annually to a postgraduate student who has completed one year of research in Mechanical Engineering at Universities in Ireland. This is the 12th event, organised jointly by the Engineers Ireland and the Council of Professors of Mechanical Engineering. Funding for the prizes is provided by a bequest from Sir Bernard Crossland.
This year's symposium will be hosted by the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Queen's University Belfast on 22nd and 23rd April 2009, with the winner being selected on the basis of both technical content and presentation.
An annual postgraduate research workshop is also held concurrently with the Sir Bernard Crossland Postgraduate Research Symposium. The prizes for the postgraduate research workshop are sponsored by the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology, IRCSET.
The Crossland Medal for Engineering Innovation is a prestigious medal, which will be awarded every two years, to celebrate and promote excellence in engineering.
A distinguished panel of judges comprising representatives from Engineers Ireland, the Council of Mechanical Engineering Professors and Irish Industry will select the winner. The honoree will be presented with a silver gilt medal at the Annual Sir Bernard Crossland Symposium. The honoree’s achievement will be promoted in the National and Local Press and in the Engineers Ireland Journal.
This year's winner, Dr O'Bradaigh of ÉireComposites Teo, will deliver a keynote lecture on his work, entitled “Development of thermoplastic composite manufacturing processes for aircraft and large wind turbine blades” at 6:45pm on Wednesday 22nd April 2009 in the Main Lecture Theatre of the Ashby Building on the Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AH.
Dr. Ó Brádaigh is currently responsible for aerospace activities at ÉireComposites Teoranta in Indreabhán, Co. Galway. He is also a part-time Senior Lecturer at the National University of Ireland, Galway, where he was formerly Director of the Composites Research Unit.
He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Centre for Composite Materials at the University of Delaware, U.S.A., and M.EngSc. and BE degrees from the National University of Ireland, Galway. He is also a Chartered Engineer.
The criteria which were used to judge the Crossland Medal submissions were:
- The innovation must be of high technical merit and represent a significant advance in engineering in Ireland.
- Nominees should be graduates of an accredited Mechanical Engineering degree programme in Ireland or equivalent.
- This award is confined to persons with no more than 20 years post-qualification experience.
Paul Hermon, Teaching Fellow and Programme Director for the Product Design and Development degree in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace was the recipient of one of the 5 Queen’s Teaching Awards presented on 28 January 2009 at an Awards Lunch in the Great Hall.
Receiving an award in the category for staff teaching less than 5 years the panel commended the innovative teaching and effective redesign of the curriculum aimed at developing students' competency in all phases of product development, from conception and design through to implementation and operation (CDIO). The panel was also impressed by the student-centred approach to group work, based on careful analysis of students' learning styles. The variety of approaches to assessment, including systematic use of peer assessment and the use of student feedback to evaluate the effectiveness of the assessment methods are particular strengths of the stage 2 “Design and Prototyping Projects” module on which the application was based.
Streaming videos in both Windows and QuickTime formats are available.
Hosted by the
School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
in partnership with the
School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
A Parents' Evening was recently held in the Ashby Building at Queen's for parents and their sons or daughters who are currently in 6th form at school and are thinking about coming to Queen's to study degrees in the above Schools.
Those who attended were given an overview of the various degrees within the Schools as well as hearing from employers and recent graduates of these disciplines.
Click on the appropriate link below to view the video of each speaker giving their presentation at this event -- Introduction and Welcome
- Overview of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Overview of Product Design and Development
- Overview of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Employer's Perspective - Mechanical Engineering
- Employer's Perspective - Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Graduate of Mechanical Engineering
- Graduate of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Dylan Carleton, Robert Best, Chris Turner, David Shanks, John Orr and Caroline Newe
An award-winning design by a group of Queen's Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering students could help both wheelchair users and bus companies.
The group of six called TranStow has won the top prize of £2,000 in the Royal Academy of Engineering Student Design Poster Competition for their Retract-a-Seat, a device intended to make travelling on high-floor buses easier for wheelchair users.
Currently wheelchair users need to give bus companies 24 hours notice before travelling on high floor buses. During this time, four bus seats are removed to create the legally required space for the wheelchair.
The system deters many from taking public transport as they don’t always know they need to travel a day in advance. It also means that the bus company cannot use the four seats which are removed for the rest of the day.
But TranStow have come up with an idea that means a double seat retracts to make room for the wheelchair. The bases of two seats flip up, allowing a hatch to be opened while the Retract-a-Seat folds backwards into a compartment below the floor. The hatch is then lowered and locked into position to create a surface on which to park the wheelchair.
The Retract-a-Seat works in partnership with a wheelchair lift, allowing the user to enter through a separate side door. The whole process takes just one minute and can be operated by one member of staff.
Thirty-one universities across the UK took part in the competition submitting 48 posters, which were judged by a panel of Academy Fellows and Visiting Professors.
The group consists of Robert Best (Templepatrick, Co Antrim), Dylan Carleton (Drum, Co.Monaghan), Caroline Newe (Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry), John Orr (Rathfriland, Co Down), David Shanks (Tandragee, Co Armagh), and Chris Turner from (Bangor, Co Down). All recently graduated from Queen’s but several are returning to complete postgraduate qualifications.
They hope that their design will be become a reality on buses here.
Caroline said: “We really believe that the Retract-a-Seat has tremendous potential as an aid to greater mobility and will make a difference to wheelchair users, bus operators and passengers alike.
“It would not have been possible without input from Translink and Wrightbus and, in particular, the help and assistance provided by staff in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Queen’s. The advice and support from staff, both academic and technical proved invaluable throughout the lifetime of the project.”
Another group of Queen’s students was awarded £750 after winning the Integrated System Project category of the competition. The group’s Sea Rescue Device is based on a jetski which is radio controlled from the shore towards the person in distress. On approach the device is remotely activated allowing the buoyancy chambers to fill with gas. This helps slow the vessel and the person can climb on board.
It was designed by Gareth Armstrong, Jonathan Coates, Gavin Davies, Seng Seng Heng, James Ludlow and Mark McIIfatrick.
Professor Perry Armstrong, Director of Education in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, said: “The awards reflect the quality of the School’s students, our desire to work closely with local companies and our belief that engineering graduates should be able to conceive, design and build innovative products that meet a social need or a market opportunity.”
Glen Sloan
Mechanical Engineering undergraduate Glen Sloan has been named as one of the 2008 recipients of an Engineering Leadership Advanced Award from The Royal Academy of Engineering. These awards are highly prestigious and no more than 30 awards are made annually across all engineering disciplines in all UK universities.
The objective of these Awards is to allow ambitious, inspiring engineering undergraduates, those who want to become leadership role models for the next generation of engineers, to undertake an accelerated personal development programme. They will get the opportunity to acquire the skills needed to fulfill their potential, moving into an engineering leadership position soon after graduation.
The Academy in its selection process is identifying high calibre individuals with the desire and abilities to be the leaders in top engineering and manufacturing businesses of the future.
Professor Robert Fleck, Head of the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering congratulated Mr Sloan, saying “This is a wonderful personal achievement for Glen and the Award recognizes the exceptional talents of our students”.
The Award comprises £5000 to help Glen to act on his Personal Development Plan over the coming 3 years, the assistance of The Royal Academy of Engineering in developing his plan and the allocation of a Sainsbury Management Fellow as mentor who will offer advice on personal development and career options.
Dr Tony McNally: Coordinator Engineering Leadership Advanced Awards, School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering.
Dr Fraser Buchanan, Dr Nicholas Dunne and Dr Susan Clarke, co-investigators on new research into bone cements
Dr Fraser Buchanan of Queen's University who is leading research into new bone cements to help heal spinal fractures
New research could offer hope for victims of the most devastating spinal injuries - typically those caused in car crashes.
Biological cements to repair ‘burst fractures’ of the spine are being developed and tested in a major new collaborative project between Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Leeds. The team has been awarded just under £500,000 by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to develop and examine the effects of novel cement materials for the treatment of burst fractures.
Bone cements, similar to those used in joint replacement surgery, are already being used to strengthen damaged vertebrae of patients with diseases such as osteoporosis, in a procedure known as vertebroplasty, but ‘burst fractures’ to the spine, injuries often sustained in major impact accidents and falls, are much more difficult to treat. They account for over 1,000 emergency NHS admissions each year and often require highly complex, invasive surgery and a long stay in hospital.
To be able to use bone cements for burst fractures would be a major leap forward. It would be simpler, quicker and much less invasive for the patient, reducing both recovery times and NHS costs.
The project team at Queen’s has expertise in developing and testing synthetic biomaterials for the repair of bone defects.
Dr Fraser Buchanan, of the School of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, said: “These materials can be delivered to the fracture site by injection and mimic the chemical composition of bone itself.”
Dr Ruth Wilcox, of Leeds University Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, said: “This type of fracture causes the vertebra to burst apart and in severe cases fragments of bone can be pushed into the spinal cord. Surgeons may be able to join bone fragments together and stabilize the spine with the use of metal screws and rods, but patients with these injuries are often in a really bad way, so the less invasive the treatment, the better.”
Dr Buchanan added: “Clearly we need to develop biomaterials that more closely match the properties of real bone and this project offers the perfect opportunity to use the range of complimentary skills of this grouping to predict the effects of newly developed cements and even incorporate biological agents to assist the body’s own healing process.”
“This study demonstrates the significant benefits of working in a multidisciplinary team within Queen’s. In this case between the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the School of Medicine and Dentistry, to address issues relating to tissue repair and regeneration.”
Statistically, burst fractures are seen more in younger people, and not enough is currently known about the long term consequences of using existing cements for the treatment of this type of injury. There is evidence to show that some patients with osteoporosis, who tend to be older, can develop fractures in the vertebrae adjacent to those treated with vertebroplasty.
“We think this may be because current cements are stiffer than the bone itself causing an imbalance in the way the spine bears weight. This may increase loading on the neighbouring vertebrae, which can lead to further damage,” said Dr Wilcox.
At Leeds the team has expertise in computational modelling of the spine and will be able to provide Queen’s with data to assist in the development of novel biomaterials and to simulate how they will perform in patients.
Media enquiries to Lisa Mitchell, Press and PR Unit on 028 9097 5384 or email lisa.mitchell@qub.ac.uk ; Simon Jenkins, press officer, University of Leeds on 0113 343 5764 or email s.jenkins@leeds.ac.uk or Jo Kelly, campuspr on 0113 258 9880, M: 07980 267756 or email jokelly@campuspr.co.uk
A Queen's University Belfast student, Mr Irtaza Waseem Khan, has won a prize of £1,000 and a commemorative award from the British Council in the 'Shine-International Student Awards'. Mr Khan, studying for a MEng Degree in Mechanical Engineering was considered the outstanding applicant from Northern Ireland and travelled to London to receive his award from Rt Hon Lord Neil Kinnock, Chair of the British Council.Listed among his achievements, the student from Lahore in Pakistan, organised events both at the University and with the local community, supporting other international students to engage with their new environment and cultures.
In 2004 he won Best student of the year nominated by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, when scoring the highest marks in mechanical engineering exams across the UK.
As one of twelve regional winners, Irtaza was invited to meet Prime Minister Tony Blair at Downing Street as part of the Awards presentations and in recognition of the growing contribution of international students to the education system of the UK. This offered an opportunity for the Prime Minister to hear directly from Irtaza as an international student studying in Belfast, of the positive experience he enjoyed while managing to get the highest exam scores in the UK in his engineering studies. The Award winner will be putting his celebrations partly on hold for a couple of months as he is currently completing a work placement at the Turbine Blade Facility in Rolls Royce Coventry, before he returns to Queen's to complete his final year of studies.
For further information please contact: Brendan Heaney, Communications Office, 028 9097 5320 or Rosemary Mc Alonan, International Office, 028 9097 1151.
Irtaza, as winner of the award, can be contacted through either of the above for interview by telephone.
Note for Editors:
The 'Shine International Student Awards' are organised by the British Council and throw a spotlight on the overseas student experience of living and learning in the United Kingdom.
The Awards provide an opportunity for international students to offer their perceptions and illuminate understanding of what they are, what they want to be, and what they think of their host region/country. The Awards were presented at BAFTA in London on Thursday 27 April.
There are over 2,000 students from outside the European Union, studying at Universities, Colleges and Schools in Northern Ireland and the numbers are increasing annually .The Scheme is supported by the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland.
Over 2,000 students from 125 countries entered the UK wide Shine competition this year which is in its 4th year, and more details are available on the British Council website www.educationuk.org/shine with photographs of the Regional finalists.
Two Queen's University students were also highly commended along with a student from the University of Ulster and from Methodist College, as runners up in the Northern Ireland 2006 Regional finals.
students in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
Eoin, currently in the first year of his PhD studies, received second place
at the recent UK & Ireland Young Person’s Lecture Competition that was
sponsored by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, with support
from The Worshipful Company of Armourers & Brasiers. The competition was
held in London on 26th April 2006. Eoin represented Northern Ireland in the
national final after winning the Northern Ireland section of the
competition.
The title of Eoin’s presentation was “Macrostructural Replication of Marine
Algae to Mimic Cancellous Bone”. The lecture was the based on his PhD
research, the focus of which is to develop manufacturing processes that can
be used to incorporate algae-derived calcium phosphate materials into
potential scaffold structures. These structures will potentially provide
unique architecture, which mimics biological structures. It is envisaged
that these engineering tissue scaffolds will have a direct application in
the field of tissue engineering of bone and cartilage. The work is partly
funded through an EU Grant: ‘Hippocrates’ that is coordinator though the 3Bs
Research Group at the University of Minho, Portugal. Eoin is supervised by
Dr Fraser Buchanan, Dr Gavin Walker and Dr Nicholas Dunne who are all
academic partners of the Medical Polymers Research Institute (MPRI).
Dermot Leonard (a final year PhD student) has been awarded a fully expenses
paid trip to attend the 1st Marie Curie Cutting-Edge Conference, entitled
“New Developments on Polymers for Tissue Engineering Replacements and
Regeneration”, to be held in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal from JUNE 1 to 5,
2006 ( http://www.inventscience.org/ ). Dermot was offered one of 44 places
available to Young Researchers from Europe. Dermot also recently won 1st
prize at the Northern Ireland Heat of the IMechE "Speak Out For Engineering
Competition" held at Queen’s and 2nd place at the recent Northern Ireland
Biomedical Engineering Spring Meeting for his oral presentations on
“Electron Beam Modification of Bioabsorbable Polymers”.
Dermot’s PhD research involves modification of the degradation profile of
bioabsorbable medical implants using irradiation technologies. He is partly
supported through InvestNI Proof of Concept funding and industrial
collaborators Smith & Nephew. His project supervisors are Dr Fraser Buchanan
and Professor John Orr and he is based in the MPRI.
Eoin will represent Northern Ireland in the national final, which will be held at the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers in London on 26th April 2006.
The title of Eoin’s presentation was “Macrostructural Replication of Marine Algae to Mimic Cancellous Bone”. The lecture was the basis of his PhD research, the focus of which is to develop manufacturing processes that can be used to incorporate algae-derived calcium phosphate materials into potential scaffold structures. These structures will potentially provide unique architecture, which mimics biological structures. It is envisaged that these engineering tissue scaffolds will have a direct application in the field of tissue engineering of bone and cartilage.
The project is supervised by Dr Fraser Buchanan 1, 2, Dr Gavin Walker 2, 3 and Dr Nicholas Dunne 1, 2.
1) School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
2) Medical Polymers Research Institute
3) School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
