IMechE UNITEN Student Chapter

Seize golden opportunities with IMechE this Autumn

The IMechE hosts events for its members all through the year, and these are an excellent way to meet your fellow engineers and enhance your CV; have you been involved in one yet? In this month's newsletter, we interview Team Bath Racing Project Manager Tom Yates about Formula Student, find out how you can get involved in IMechE events, and get the lowdown on September's Cardboard Boat Regatta in Portsmouth.

IMechE Member Profile

Thomas Yates, University of Bath student, Project Manager for Team Bath Racing at Formula Student

Why did you decide to join the IMechE?

I enjoyed a number of presentations they gave on various subjects, including Flybrid engines and Formula One, plus membership enabled me to compete in the Formula Student competition.

How did you get involved with Team Bath Racing?

I saw them at UCAS tours and knew immediately that I wanted to be involved. I found the Bath team within my first week at uni, offered to help build a car jack, and the rest is history!

What did you enjoy most about this year's Formula Student?

Hearing the fantastic roar of Team Bath's twin exhaust car in the dynamic events (Officially the loudest at 109dB!)

How has being involved in Formula Student benefitted you?

Thanks to the nature of the project, I've picked up lots of skills and experience for my future career; including management, marketing and presentation, team building and self-discipline.

Would you recommend other young engineers get involved in the program?

I would 100% recommend the project, it's a fantastic experience and looks great on your CV! If you're looking to manage a team, make sure you prepare by learning all you can about the event and teams involved.

IMechE makes a splash in Plymouth Earlier this month, several teams of young engineers descended on Plymouth for the inaugural IMechE "Cardboard Boat Regatta". Run by the Devon and Cornwall YMP, and sponsored by Babcock International andCardboard Future Limited, the event saw the teams competing to design, build and then race their boats at Mayflower Sailing Club. 'The Short Planks' won the hotly-contested race on the day in front of hundreds of spectators, with prizes also awarded for a range of achievements including "Most Impressive Sinking". Pictures from the day and a full run down on all action can be found on the IMechE website.

Topic of the month – Charging ahead with transport technology After decades of failed attempts to introduce electric vehicles into the mainstream, manufacturers worldwide are investing in headline-grabbing models. Jaguar recently unveiled their new C-X75 at the Paris Motor Show, a 200mph supercar with compact turbines and four electric motors, and we asked you whether you thought this would change the face of the industry. Many IMechE members have been positive about the car, with Mohammed Shadab predicting "it will work and it is eco friendly", whilst others like Mike Wilkinson and Yatine Nirvan highlight the car's astronomical price tag and potential problems with the limited range of a single battery charge. With more affordable vehicles, including the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt available in the coming months, it will be interesting to see whether consumers become confident in this technology.