Malaysia / Singapore 2005

The March 2005 Sterling Group lecture tour to S.E. Asia visited two centres,
Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, during the period 9-16 March. The tour party had
fourteen members representing the Universities of Bath, Birmingham, Bristol,
Durham, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Loughborough, Manchester, Queen’s Belfast,
Southampton, Strathclyde, Surrey and Warwick,

In Singapore, the party gave fifty four lectures at twenty venues – four
Polytechnics, fifteen Junior Colleges and one International School. The total
attendance figure was about 7700, over 2000 greater that in 2004 which was itself
a record. In Kuala Lumpur, forty six lectures were given at ten venues. Here
the total attendance was about 3200, up by 40% on the figure of two years ago.

The annual website competition was run for the fifth time with this year’s
title being Engineering in Sport. Following a suggestion by the British Council,
and with their assistance, the scope was widened this year to attract entries
from the Polytechnics and selected secondary schools in addition to the Junior
Colleges. Teams were limited to a maximum of four students but multiple entries
were permitted from each institution. The result was dramatic with no less than
38 entries being received – more than a fivefold increase on the previous
best. As usual, the standard of the entries was quite remarkable.

The clear winner, for the third year running, was Victoria Junior College.
All participants were invited to a reception at Eden Hall, the residence of
the British High Commissioner, HE Mr Alan Collins CMG. The winner was announced
on the night by Mr Les Dangerfield (Director of the BC in Singapore) who also
presented the prizes.

The assistance of the British Council in Singapore with competition arrangements
was, once again, very thorough and efficient and was much appreciated.

Details of the supporting lectures are given below:-

SUPPORTING LECTURES 2005

Professor William M Banks FREng
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Strathclyde
Title:- New Materials – Whither Bound?
Abstract
A stunning variety of developments are taking place in the materials world at
the moment. This ranges from the nano scale (less than the diameter of a hair
of the head!) to the macro scale (eg parts of an aircraft structure). At the
lower end “designer materials” are being introduced to meet a variety
of requirements, whereas at the other end of the spectrum the applications are
so numerous that they are literally changing our way of life. The presentation
would show many of the developments which have taken place recently, and the
variety of application potential that there is. This ranges from everyday items
like furniture and kitchen utensils to the more exotic spacecraft.

Dr Alan R Chambers
School of Engineering Sciences, University of Southampton
Title:- Energy in the 21st Century
Abstract
Hurricanes in Haiti, typhoons in Tokyo, monsoons in Malaysia and snow in Southampton
– the world’s climate is changing. Global warming is widely blamed and
we are all responsible through our use of oil and fossil fuels. If the pattern
is to be reversed then we must look at alternative energy sources.

This talk looks at the alternative energies; solar, wind, wave and nuclear
from an engineering perspective. The technical, sociological and political challenges
of these renewable and sustainable energies will be addressed and a vision of
the future presented.

Dr Sally E Clift
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath
Title:- The Biomechanics of Articular Cartilage
Abstract
Articular cartilage is the biological bearing surface material present in large
natural weight bearing joints such as the hip and knee. It is highly deformable
compared with the bone that supports it, thus acting to spread the loads associated
with locomotion. It can also provide a very low friction and wear response,
better than that associated with many engineering systems.

Articular cartilage is composed of some 70% water, an observation seemingly
incompatible with its load carrying performance. This talk will explore the
biomechanical mechanisms by which articular cartilage accomplishes its impressive
mechanical performance.

Professor Jonathan E Cooper
School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, University of Manchester
Title:- Good Vibrations ….. and some not so good !!!!
Abstract
Vibration can have a harmful (and sometimes catastrophic) effect on structures.
Examples include bridges wobbling due to people walking on them, skyscrapers
experiencing an earthquake, aircraft flying through turbulence, grandstands
moving during sporting events, pop concerts due to crowds jumping up and down,
making tennis rackets and golf clubs hit balls with less power and wind blowing
over bridges and chimneys causing them to break

This lecture will examine, using videos and demonstration models, how vibration
can lead to undesirable, or even disastrous, motion for a wide variety of structures,
aircraft and sporting equipment. It is shown how engineers can use a range of
traditional and “smart” technologies to eliminate these problems.

Professor Peter J Fryer
School of Engineering, University of Birmingham
Title:- The Engineering Science of Food.
Abstract
An understanding of the physical and chemical basis of food, and the ways in
which engineering is used to generate food structure, are critical in the development
of foods. This type of understanding is critical in controlling food safety
and products which the customer wants to eat. The lecture will discuss this
with examples from systems such as chocolate, beer, ice cream and bread.

Dr Andrew J L Harrison
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bristol
Title:- Automatic Control – from Windmills to Space Missions
Abstract
Automatic control is the branch of engineering that ensures that systems perform
as well as possible. This is necessary because many systems, which may for example
be engineering, economic or biological in character, do not naturally behave
as we might desire. A successful controller – which may be manual or automatic
– monitors the performance of the system and decides what corrective action
is required. Physics, mathematics and the concept of feedback form the basis
of automatic control. The ideas underlying automatic control have also been
applied to improving our understanding and control of the UK economy, and for
environmental modelling.

This lecture will show a variety of types of automatic control, from early
mechanical controllers used on systems such as windmills and steam engines,
to modern computer-based ones found in space vehicles, aircraft, ships and chemical
plant. More intelligent self-tuning and adaptive controllers from the present-day
and near-future will also be described.

Dr R Peter Jones
School of Engineering, University of Warwick
Title:- Automotive Electronic Systems: New Challenges for Electronic Engineering,
Computer Engineering and Systems Engineering
Abstract
The past 30 years have witnessed a near exponential growth of in-car electronic
systems. This growth has been driven by the premium automobile sector where,
presently, electronics and software account for 40% of the value of some vehicles.
Current in-car electronic systems are diverse and include: systems that control
the engine, transmission, suspension and handling of a vehicle; air bag and
other advanced restraint systems; comfort systems; entertainment systems; security
systems; and telematic systems. Such wide ranging functionality is enabled by
networks of up to 50, or more, ECU’s and sensors that are distributed
throughout a vehicle. Individual ECU’s host software that is required
to interact with sensors, and other ECU’s, within time constraints. The
ECU’s and sensors are linked by a communications network, consisting of
several data bus technologies that provide transmission rates which have also
been subject to near exponential growth. The design, implementation and management
of such complex distributed systems, and their integration into one cohesive
and reliable whole is presenting new challenges for automotive professionals
working in the electronic engineering, computer engineering and systems engineering
fields. Furthermore, next generation in-car electronic systems, such as steer
by wire and brake by wire, and future hybrid/electric and fuel cell vehicle
technologies, will set new and even more demanding challenges. The talk will
review the growth of electronic systems in cars, identify future trends, and
discuss the challenges facing current and future electronic engineers, computer
engineers and systems engineers.

Professor Michael J Kearney
School of Electronics and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey
Title:- Silicon Microelectronics: Challenges for the next 50 years
Abstract
The development of silicon microelectronics is entering a new era wherein the
traditional scaling approach to realising smaller and smaller devices is having
to be supplemented by introducing new technological ideas, new materials and
device architecture. This talk will summarise the present state of the art and
discuss the grand challenges which need to be overcome if progress is to be
maintained. An overview of possible alternative technologies (e.g. those based
on carbon nanotubes) will be briefly discussed and the wider contribution of
silicon to the nanotechnology revolution will be examined.

Professor Ronnie Magee
School of Chemical Engineering, Queen’s University Belfast
Title:- Starch – it’s not just a simple white powder.
Abstract
Starch is a complex carbohydrate, and is a major biopolymer present in foods
and food products. It is a natural resource which comes from roots and seeds,
such as corn, wheat, tapioca, rice and potato. It is the highest consumed source
of energy as food. The lecture will consist of an outline of the composition
and characteristics of starch and how it can be utilised in cooking and baking
of starch based raw materials, such as potato and wheat flour, using the principles
of food process engineering. Microwave technology will be described as an alternative
minimum processing technique which can be applied to the baking of flour confectionary.

Dr John Marsland
Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, University of Liverpool.
Title:- Microwaves Bridging the Gap From Radiowaves to Lasers
Abstract
Electromagnetic waves, often referred to as radio waves, are waves of energy
that are similar to light waves and travel through the air at the speed of light.
Way back in the late 1800’s microwaves made their first appearance when
Heinrich Hertz experimented with an oscillating electric spark and was able
to demonstrate the existence of radio waves. Unbeknown to him, this first transmission
happens to contain microwaves. In those early days radio wavelengths were measured
in hundred of meters. Nearing the end of the same century we talk of gamma and
X-rays, which have wavelengths in the range of nano meters. Somewhere in between
are the microwaves to which we are indebted for their part in such impressive
developments as TV (both terrestrial and satellite), wide band communications,
radar, heating, defence and electronic warfare systems. This presentation will
cover some of the stimulated and underlying features of electromagnetic waves
from radio waves to lasers with inspirational photographs of various microwaves
novel applications.

Dr Rob Poole
Department of Engineering, University of Liverpool
Title:- Non Newtonian Fluid Mechanics – the flow of funny fluids
Abstract
We’re all familiar with the flow of liquids and we all know that there
are different kinds of liquids such as water, Coca-Cola and tomato ketchup.
However, some liquids behave very differently to others. A non-Newtonian liquid
is one that can exhibit both fluid and solid-like behaviour, the properties
of which also change as it flows! Virtually all synthetic (i.e. manmade) liquids
are non-Newtonian, as are many natural liquids (e.g. blood). These non-Newtonian
characteristics can give rise to spectacular differences in fluid flow behaviour
compared to water and other Newtonian liquids. Some liquids are shear-thinning
– their viscosity (or thickness) decreases with increasing shear rate.
Examples include blood, toothpaste, mayonnaise (in fact there are 1000?s of
examples). Other liquids are shear-thickening – their viscosity increases
with increasing shear rate. Examples include custard and corn starch solutions.
Yet another group is thixotropic – in this case the liquid viscosity changes
with time. Examples include tomato ketchup, paints, ink. This talk will demonstrate
some of this strange flow behaviour – If you stir a liquid can it ever climb
the stirrer? Can liquid from a dripping tap ever go up instead of down? The
lecture will also provide answers to such questions as “How can you get
tomato ketchup out of the bottle? Is blood thicker than water?” as well
as highlighting the major engineering importance of such liquids.

Dr Richard H Scott
School of Engineering, University of Durham
Title:- Aspects of Building Design
Abstract
Modern buildings are complex assemblies of many different components using a
variety of materials. They must be strong enough to support all anticipated
loads (plus some others which may be unanticipated!), stiff enough for deflections
to be kept within acceptable limits and stable enough to resist wind loads and
seismic effects. This has all to be achieved within the constraints of architectural
considerations and cost.

This presentation will examine some of the common (and not so common) construction
materials, discuss a range of design problems which face building designers
and then show how these have been successfully resolved in a range of modern
buildings.

Professor Rob Thring
Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering, University of Loughborough
Title:- PEM Fuel Cells for the Transportation Application
Abstract
Starting with a review of technology progress in transportation power, moving
from the current IC engine to Hybrids, Mild hybrids and Fuel Cell Hybrids, the
lecture will review the motivation for a change to Fuel Cells for transportation
power, and the likely take-up pattern. Potential types of Fuel Cell will be
considered for the transportation application. Current blocks that are preventing
the introduction of Fuel Cells will be reviewed, along with potential block
beaters that will overcome them. Hydrogen sourcing and reforming will be covered
along with on-board hydrogen storage and demonstration programmes.

Dr A Robin Wallace
School of Engineering & Electronics, University of Edinburgh
Title:- Sustainable Energy from the Seas for the 21st Century
Abstract
Demand for electricity will continue to rise for the foreseeable future, but
to reduce CO2 emissions this must be met by developing lower-carbon resources
such as renewable energy. Onshore wind turbines are now a mature technology
but development of large-scale wind farms is restricted in many countries by
planning and environmental considerations. Wind energy developers are therefore
now looking offshore into shallow coastal waters where the wind regime is slightly
better and potentially there are fewer non-technical restrictions. Depending
on the landmasses at the edge of the oceans there can be large amounts of tidal
current energy in the daily gravitational redistribution of the seas, which
have the advantage of being very predictable. Further offshore there are large
quantities of energy in the waves that are delivered from the windswept oceans.
Situated at the eastern edge of the Atlantic the UK is particularly well provided
with all of these energies, but there are many other areas of the world rich
in marine energy such as Portugal, the Philippines and Australia. In these and
other countries the seas offer abundant resources of renewable energy, but the
technology to harvest it still needs to be advanced for widespread installation
and reliable operation.

Marine energy conversion is enjoying a renaissance after a lull since the early
activity in the 1970s. There are now full-scale prototype wave and tidal current
generators at sea generating electricity into mainland networks. However, the
need for fundamental research continues and the UK is at the forefront of many
exciting developments in marine energy conversion, device control, electricity
network integration and environmental impact assessment and mitigation. Many
international alliances are forming to tackle the scientific and technical challenges
that remain. National and international collaboration is a key to improving
deployment and stimulating markets for these new technologies. The SuperGen
Marine Energy Research Consortium brings together five core universities in
the UK and many universities and industrial partners from the UK and Europe.

This talk will describe the extent and nature of the marine energy resource,
survey the technology status, highlight the current and future research challenges
and describe some of the work of the SuperGen Consortium.