THE CAMBRIDGE ENGINEER
Cambridge University Engineering Society Freshers • Sep 2017
Engineering in the Developing World How we can engineer a better future for all
Contents 04 From the Head of the Department 06 What can Engineering Outreach do for you? 08 Industrial Placements 09 Society Zoo! 24 Kathy’s Centre 28 Career Profile: Oxfam 31 Remotely Monitoring Infrastructure 33 The Business of Aid 37 Low Cost Diagnostics
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From the Editor A warm welcome back to Cambridge after the long summer break! The Cambridge University Engineering Society (CUES)
Our Sponsors MAIN SPONSORS
Freshers’ edition this year has taken on a new look, so we hope you enjoy that! For the freshers, we have our usual collection of articles introducing you to CUED, with its myriad of activities and societies to join. I’m sure you’ll all find something you’re interested to try out, and when you run out of things to try, you could always start your own society in CUED. The theme for this issue is engineering in the developing world. As the world population increases at dramatic rates, much of the world still lacks the infrastructure to tackle basic needs, particularly areas such as WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene). In this issue, we look into some companies which do work or volunteer in developing countries to help resolve such issues. Researchers at CUED also have projects which concern themselves with these problems. Hopefully, this will inspire you to see the change that engineers can have in solving these global issues, and perhaps try something out yourself.
Magazine Editor Sze Ning Chng magazine@cues.org.uk
ASSOCIATE SPONSORS
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Professor David Cardwell, Head of Department
FROM THE HEAD OF DEPARTMENT Dear Engineering Freshers,
form well in the Engineering Tripos.
ported every step of the way within
So, well done, again, to you all.
the Department by our extraordi-
I’d like to welcome you all warm-
4
nary academic staff and within your
ly to one of the best Engineering
But admission to the Department is
College by your Supervisors, Director
Departments in the world. And many
just the start. Make no mistake, our
of Studies and Tutor. So you’ll be given
congratulations on winning your place
Tripos is the most demanding under-
every opportunity to fulfill your poten-
here, which is a huge achievement in
graduate Engineering course in the
tial with a successful, rewarding and
itself. Undergraduate applications to
world, and you will need to be well
enjoyable Cambridge experience.
the Department are booming, with
prepared to tackle it. There’s abso-
almost seven applications per place,
lutely no room for complacency. We
You’ll need to work hard, attend lec-
the highest by far of any large sub-
expect a lot from our students; our
tures and labs, prepare for supervi-
ject in the University. The Cambridge
academic standards are unrelenting,
sions, write reports and revise effec-
admissions process is the most rigor-
and our short, 8-week terms mean
tively. You’re here primarily to demon-
ous and demanding of any academic
that you won’t have time to pause for
strate your worth as one of the world’s
institution in the world, and Colleges
breath. But succeed, as I expect you
best Engineers, with achievement
generally get it right. Believe me, you
to, and in four years time you’ll be
measured by exams, coursework and
are here entirely on your own merit,
one of the most sought after gradu-
projects. But there’s more to University
and based on your potential to per-
ates on the planet. And you’ll be sup-
life than this, and in the Engineering
Department you’re encouraged to
with construction of a new building
make use of opportunities such as the
for Civil Engineering. It’s unlikely that
individual hands-on project facilities
the move West will have any material
in the Dyson Centre. You will have to
impact on your studies over the next
juggle such extracurricular activities,
four years, but it is something to be
in the Department, in your College,
aware of, and to embrace. Specific
and in the rest of the University. The
details of the new Department will
trick will be to find the right balance.
be released as we make progress, so watch out for these.
You may be aware that we’re in the exciting process of relocating the entire
I wish you a very busy, hard work-
Department to West Cambridge. This
ing and productive four years as an
represents the biggest Departmental
undergraduate in the Department.
project in the history of the University
You’ve earned yourself a once-in-a-
(and, I suspect, its future) and under-
lifetime opportunity - now all you have
lines our commitment to producing
to do is to use it well.
“
You’re here primarily to demonstrate your worth as one of the world’s best Engineers...But there’s more to University life than this...”
world-leading Engineers for the 21st Century. The first, £300 million phase,
Professor David Cardwell
of the project is already well underway
Head of Department
ll, nt
“People don’t just hear what I have to say, they really listen.” Catherine’s perspective on support
Graduate opportunities in engineering, science, business and trading Taking charge of exciting new projects. Pushing the limits of innovative materials. Testing critical new systems. With great energy comes great responsibility. And as a BP graduate, great responsibility is something you’ll experience from day one.
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WHAT CAN ENGINEERING OUTREACH DO FOR YOU? Maria Kettle, Outreach Officer here at the Department of Engineering, shares more about how you can get involved in engineering outreach here... Outreach is a bucket term, a description for all the inter-
the interactions children have with science as they grow
actions between the Department of Engineering and the
up. Probably, at least one of your parents studied science
community where it is located.
Being Cambridge, that
or a science-based subject such as medicine or engineer-
Our outreach efforts
ing at University. They took you to science museums and
community is the whole planet. spread around the globe.
their idea of a top tourist attraction was a big bridge or
Engineers do out-
a vertiginous dam.
reach
because
You talk about sci-
Engineering has
ence and maths at
a
UK
home, your family
Engineering’s
use maths and sci-
report for 2016 is
ence to explain their
full of good news.
observations of the
Engineering con-
world.
problem.
tributes £456 bn to the UK econ-
Some children don’t
omy each year, it
get this. Their par-
is 68% more effi-
ents don’t consider
cient than retail-
themselves to be
ing or wholesaling
‘science-y’ and nei-
and it employs 5.5
ther
million
children make a link
people.
But not enough
parents
nor
between the sci-
school students study subjects that allow them to access
ence subjects studied at school and interesting employ-
engineering careers and routes for adults to change careers
ment possibilities.
in later life are limited. Engineering is short of workers and
ence-y school students a chance to use the knowledge
Brexit will make this situation worse. Outreach attempts to
they acquire at school in a practical context.
tackle this problem.
them to understand the world by making working toys for
Engineering outreach offers non-sciWe help
themselves. Outreach participants can use maths and logic
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You already have high ‘science capital’: you must have,
to program Lego robots to play games or to pull dance
because you are reading this. Science capital describes
moves. Most important of all, by meeting you, school stu-
Engineering Outreach at the Cambridge Science Festival
dents realise that engineers are not
Each year, some of our events are
events for the year and more
egg-headed maths geniuses. On the
organised in collaboration with local
details are added as our plans
contrary, they are ordinary, hardwork-
and international employers.
firm up.
ing people on track for an interesting,
offer a chance for you to meet current
diary now for Saturday 17th March.
creative and well paid career.
employees and make your job appli-
That’s the day for Engineering’s
cations more personal.
flagship event for the Cambridge
They
But what’s in it for you?
Make a note in your
Science Festival. And what if you think something is
It’s fun. The children who attend our
wrong with Engineering in the UK
events enjoy themselves and improve
– not enough women, not enough
Group
their economic life chances at the
people from your home town at
Thursday in full term at the Dyson
same time, a rewarding mix for vol-
Cambridge, too many… You fill in the
Centre meeting area tables. We
unteers. Outreach develops your soft
blank.
plan upcoming events, road test
skills; explaining science concepts to
you to take action and change things.
10-year-olds is informal and friendly. It
Part of the Outreach Officer’s job is to
improves your ability to communicate
support students with their own out-
technical ideas to a non-specialist
reach initiatives, to help with resources
small box in the north east corner
audience. Employers love this.
and ideas to ensure your activity has
of the DPO and I’m usually around
the impact you hope for.
on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and
Outreach provides a way for
Most active volunteers become STEM Ambassadors. This provides personal
The
Outreach meets
Development at
1pm
each
new ideas and eat cake. •
Come and see me! My office is the
Thursdays. How do you get involved?
liability insurance and an auditable log of your outreach activity, an easy
•
This is an excellent
way to start if you have a personal outreach project you want to get
•
Outreach volunteering oppor-
off the ground.
way for sponsored students to prove
tunities are posted on the vol-
that they have fulfilled their outreach
unteer calendar here: http://
Outreach: a chance to make the world
obligations.
www3.eng.cam.ac.uk/outreach/
a better place and meet engineers at
Links-behind-Raven/Volunteer-
all stages of their careers while hav-
calendar.pdf This shows the key
ing fun.
Outreach is a networking opportunity.
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Vicky Houghton, Industrial Placements Coordinator
INDUSTRIAL PLACEMENTS Industrial placements are a key aspect of the CUED course. Vicky Houghton, Industrial Placements Coordinator, gives some advice on how to navigate the numerous opportunities.
First of all, welcome to the Department of Engineering! There will be a great deal of new things for you to find out about and one them is the Industrial Experience requirements. As you should already know, the engineering course has a compulsory industrial placement element where you must undertake a placement to obtain your Honours degree (unless you migrate to chemical engineering). This is a minimum of 6 weeks industrial experience that should take place in the summer of 2018 or the summer of 2019. If you have worked in an engineering or technology related role before joining the course, it may be possible to count this time towards this requirement. Every year over 550 engineering students undertake a summer internship in a wide variety of organisations, gaining an insight into different company cultures, increasing the depth of academic learning, improving transferrable skills and making important
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contacts. Many
your parameters – are you willing to
employers use
relocate for the role? Are you open
internships
as
to consider all types of roles? As an
recruitment
IA student, some roles may be easier
tool to encour-
for you to secure – for example, civil
age you to joining them after graduat-
related or software related roles. By
ing. A win-win for many.
being more flexible, you will open up the number of roles you can apply for
The important news is that the recruit-
and increase your success rate.
ment season for 2018 has already opened. Securing an internship takes
However, employers often comment
time and effort so it will help to start
on the high number of generic or
early by getting your CV prepared and
poorly researched applications they
begin identifying suitable opportu-
receive. They find these easy to reject.
nities and making your applications.
Spend time researching your chosen
There will be many opportunities
employers and make well researched,
to meet employers at careers fairs,
well targeted applications.
weekly employer presentations and
better applications are more likely to
other events. They are here to talk to
gain success through to the interview
you and answer your questions – so
stage than simply applying to every-
use the opportunity! Alongside this,
thing and anything.
Fewer,
we coordinate with employers across the globe to ensure you are present-
When you need information or advice,
ed with a range of quality vacancies
or you wish to discuss any aspect of
which are shared with you through our
industrial experience, please get in
in-house database, CHOICE, however
touch. We are located in BNO-041,
you are more than welcome to source
Office floor in the Baker Building,
your own internship. You may be unsure at this stage about
Vicky Houghton, Industrial Placements
what type of internship may appeal to
Coordinator
you however you can start by look-
placements-coordinator@eng.cam.
ing at how flexible can you be with
ac.uk
Society Zoo 10 Full Blue Racing 12 Engineers Without Borders 15 Tensegrity 16 Cambridge Autonomous Underwater Vehicle 18 Cambridge University Synthetic Biology Society 20 CU3D 22 Cambridge University Eco Racing
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FULL BLUE RACING Full Blue Racing is one of the engineering departments biggest societies, our aim is to design and build a single seater racing car and take it to competitions across Europe, racing it with cars from other Uni’s in the formula student competition. You join us at the mid-way point in the team’s two-year design and build program. At the end of last year, 10 of our team members travelled to Silverstone to showcase our designs we had developed throughout the year. Our team was assessed for our ‘Design’, ‘Business’ and ‘Cost’ material for the car: Full Blue Racing was placed fifth overall and claimed third place in the design competition, beating the likes of Bath and Imperial universities. After this theoretical assessment, we will be undergoing the practical side of the competition in 2018 – of course racing the car is the best part! So, this year we are going to be getting stuck in to the build of the new car. Anyone can get involved, there is no entry requirement or prerequisite knowledge needed to join the team, no matter how much experience you have, you are welcome to join. The team will equip you with strong practical abilities, which is an excellent supplement to the theoretical nature of the Cambridge course. We build skills in terms of both team management and technical skills. We welcome all technical backgrounds at Full Blue, if you can’t tell your ‘carburettors’ from your ‘turbo chargers’, or if you’ve been building cars since you were 12, come and get involved and we will give you an insight into what it is like to get out on the track and be part of high speed racing team.
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Photos courtesy of Full Blue Racing
The success of the last year has put us in good spirits for the upcoming build, and with the new year comes a fresh new leadership team: Harry Gatward has shot up the ranks, from joining the team late in his first year, he’s now become team leader as he enters third year. He’s ready to get
free to ask them anything about the
things running better than ever, with
team and what we do.
talk of a well-populated social calendar, and crystal clear new-member
To join the team, come along to one
induction as part of his lead. We also
of our into-lectures at the beginning
welcome the return of Oli Albert, who
of Michaelmas and Lent terms, email
will be taking on the role of technical
getmore@fullblueracing.co.uk or look
director - after taking a year out to
out for members of the team wearing
work for Mercedes, he’ll be bringing
stash around department.
some of their skills and expertise back into Full Blue. These guys are open to
From all of us at Full Blue Racing, wel-
all questions and ideas, so look out
come to Cambridge and good luck
for them around department and feel
with your first year.
“
Anyone can get involved, there is no entry requirement or prerequisite knowledge needed to join the team.”
Delivering access to safe and secure infrastructure We apply our expertise to lessen our impact on the planet, help communities prepare for the future and provide lasting local legacies.
aecom.com
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ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS 12
Photos courtesy of Engineers Without Borders
Engineers Without Borders UK leads a movement that
and demanding change in the engineering community.
inspires, enables and influences global responsibility through engineering.
The Engineers Without Borders UK movement consists of people who believe in what we do. We have a number
We bring together people, ideas and engineering to
of individual members from all walks of life, as well as
respond to the complex challenges that we face as a global
University Member Groups throughout the UK. We wel-
community. We do this by working at all levels of education
come everyone to support our work, you don’t have to be
to inspire more people to become engineers by challeng-
an engineer, nor do you need to work in the engineering
ing their perception of what engineering is. We support
profession, to join us, you just need to be passionate about
partner organisations around the world by adding to their
using engineering as the catalyst for the change that the
engineering capacity with trained personnel and we lead a
world needs.
growing social movement who are rejecting the status quo
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As a member, you will have the oppor-
•
tunity to: •
pate in our engineering educa-
a vital role in spreading the work and
tion initiatives and receive CPD
message of the organisation. You will
accreditation
get involved with a number of activi-
●Join our international partner
ties including: delivering workshops
with like-minded people
organisations and work on a water
in local schools to inspire the next
●Receive a members only news-
and sanitation, clean energy or
generation of engineers, helping us
built environment project
to raise vital funds and awareness of
●Join our Annual General Meetings
our work by fundraising in your local
hear all about our latests news
and take part in the governance
community, host a number of events
and events
of the organisation
highlighting the importance of glob-
●Have the opportunity to stand for
ally responsible engineering and have
election as a Trustee and be part
the chance to work on a international
of our Board of Directors
project alongside our local partner
●Take advantage of opportunities
organisations and a professional engi-
●Help support our work by raising
and discounts with collaborative
neer.
vital funds and awareness of what
organisations
●Be part of the Engineers Without Borders community and interact
•
•
letter as well as our quarterly newsletter ‘The Movement’ to
•
●Receive a 10% discount on all
•
•
Engineers Without Borders UK events and join member only events across the UK •
●Have the first chance to partici-
•
we do •
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To find out more head to ewb-uk.org
●Access a member only portal on
You can also join EWB University of
the Engineers Without Borders
Cambridge. As a member of EWB
UK website
University of Cambridge you will play
or contact membership@ewb-uk.org. Together we can engineer change.
TENSEGRITY
Photo courtesy of Tensegrity
Art and sculpture might not be what comes to mind when
assemble a 3D puzzle which fights back as you try to put
you think of engineering structures, but for the Tensegrity
it together. All the parts needed to be numbered based on
Art Sculpture Club (TASC) engineering art sculptures is
the computer modelled design to make sure the right bam-
what its all about.
boo poles (compression members) were connected by the wires (tensile members). A curious characteristic of tenseg-
What is a tensegrity you might be wondering? Well they are
rity structures is that they have little or no redundancy and
a rather special type of structure in which none of the com-
are not in equilibrium until the last cable is tied in, so until
pressive members are joined to one another rather they are
that happens they need quite a bit of support.
connected by members in tension, which while not amazing useful can produce some visually stunning objects.
Thankfully the hands of our TASC members offered just
Buckminster Fuller came up with the name ‘Tensegrity’ - an
enough support (with a little gymnastics involved) to hold
amalgamation of tension and integrity – in reference to
the 30 member sculpture as it was built. Over the course
the fact that their structural integrity comes through the
of an afternoon our enthusiastic team turned that pile of
arrangement of the tensile members.
wire, nails and bamboo poles into a simple yet beautiful Christmas decoration for the department.
While the history of tensegrity structures is quite curious, TASC focuses on designing and building tensegrity struc-
In the coming year we’ll be setting our sights on more ambi-
tures as art sculptures, and in this first year we got our
tious projects, hoping to build larger and more extrava-
hands dirty building a giant tensegrity Christmas ornament
gantly decorated tensegrity structures for use at May
which we hung outside the department. Armed with 30
Balls, exhibitions, and festivals. Engineers of all flavours are
bamboo poles, electrical wire, nails, fairy lights, a glue gun,
always welcome, regardless of whether or not you consider
and a whole lot of helping hands we set to work.
yourself artistically minded. Building tensegrities can be great fun and you never know where it could take you...
Assembling a tensegrity structure is a lot like trying to
15
CAMBRIDGE AUTONOMOUS UNDERWATER VEHICLE Who are we? Cambridge Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (CAUV) is a team of students exploring the cutting edge of autonomous underwater vehicle technology. CAUV designs, builds and tests autonomous underwater vehicles to compete in the ERL Emergency Challenge - an annual outdoor robotics competition based in Italy. Our vehicles are designed to perform complex tasks such as surveying an area and searching for missing workers, all without any human intervention. Founded in 2006 by four first-year students, CAUV is completely student-run and receives funding from industry professionals. We currently have a team of seven students and are constantly recruiting more talented people to join us on our adventure. Our Mission Our mission is to build an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) capable of carrying out search and rescue operations as well as scientific exploration projects. We test out our technology every year by competing in the ERL Emergency Challenge. The competition simulates the scenario of the 2011 Fukushima Disaster. The AUV needs to perform various tasks such as locating a missing person underwater, closing off a valve, following a plume of “toxic waste� to its origin, and contacting a drone about the position of a leak. These tasks require the vehicle to process and recognise images, localise its position, perform complex manoeu-
16
Photos courtesy of Cambridge Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
E S R E vres while at the same time withstand
to apply what we learnt in the engi-
water pressure and corrosion.
neering course; and also learn much more on the job, which is an enriching
How does an AUV work?
experience for all of our members.
Our AUV is an integrated system that
How We Operate
skills and explore your interests. Why Join Us In CAUV, you will gain a well round-
combines the fields of mechanics,
ed skill set, including mechanics, electronics, software and business.
electronics and software. It has the
Unlike many other student societ-
CAUV operates like a startup where
physical structure of an aluminium
ies, CAUV doesn’t have specialised
members have multiple roles, rather
cylinder enclosed by a frame. The
teams due to our relatively small size.
than being restricted in rigid posi-
cylinder contains all of our electron-
Instead, we work on a project basis.
tions. Instead of being a cog in a big
ics while the sensors and motors are
The team has regular meetings and
machine, everyone has the repsonsi-
mounted on the frame. The robot per-
discuss together about what to work
bility and the power to make a differ-
ceives the environment using its array
on. We then come up with a list of
ence. There is an investment of time
of sensors, which include a multibeam
projects that we can do within the
required, as well as a learning curve
sonar, an inertial measurement unit,
next few weeks. If a project seems
to overcome, but in the end getting
two cameras and two pressure sen-
too big, we break it down into smaller
involved is highly rewarding. If you’re
sors. They send the data they received
sub-projects. Afterwards, each mem-
passionate about robots, not afraid
to the computers, which then calcu-
ber can choose the project that fits
of challenges, and love to learn, then
lates the location, depth and orienta-
best to their interests or expertise and
join us!
tion of the vehicle.Then our control
work on it. Our approach gives our
algorithms determine the optimal
members exposure to multiple areas
path the AUV should take to reach
and experience in designing entire
its goal and send the relevant com-
systems, not just parts. Many of the
More information can be found on
mands to the thrusters. Two battery
freshers who joined us last year have
our website www.cauv.co.uk If you
modules supply a stable current to
worked on a wide range of projects
would like to get involved, please
the electronics. The sensors, motors,
such as designing PCBs, writing soft-
get in touch by emailing info@cam-
and electronics are all interconnected
ware, making websites and pitching
bridgeauv.co.uk
via waterproof connections. In order to
to potential sponsors. CAUV is a great
Alternatively, you can fill out the form
design such a vehicle, our team needs
place to learn a wide range of new
on our website.
Contact Details
17
Photos courtesy of CU Synthetic Biology
CU SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY Synthetic biology is an emerging field that combines engineering principles with biology to redesign and construct novel biological systems. These can range from single logic gates implemented in bacterial DNA, to entire genomes - and even multicellular systems – that have been reprogrammed for human purposes. Such constructs have been used in a variety of applications; such as biosensors that are able to detect toxins in wastewater, and white blood cells that have been modified to kill tumours. As foundational technologies in molecular biology and computing advance, it is become increasingly feasible to understand and engineer the immense complexity that characterises living systems. A key reason for this paradigm shift in biological engineering is the application of principles from mature engineering fields – such as standardisation and abstraction – to biology. Already, functional regions of DNA are being isolated as modular, standardised parts as genetic design shifts from an art to a science. This will hopefully lead to a genetic programming language that allows us to
18
“
Synthetic biology is an interdisciplinary field that draws on the expertise of people from a variety of backgrounds.”
U y
hack biology with the same ease that enables software to
are looking for new members to get involved. This year, as
be modified by C or even Python.
well as continuing to host our own speaker events, we have partnered with other synthetic student societies at universi-
CUSBS was founded by members of the Cambridge team
ties such as Imperial and Warwick to live-stream synthetic
for the International Genetically Engineered Machines
biology talks from researchers across the UK.
(iGEM) competition in 2015. We aim to raise awareness for
Synthetic biology is an inter-
synthetic biology and provide
disciplinary field that draws
opportunities for students to
on the expertise of peo-
get involved in the field. To
ple from a variety of back-
this end, we organise a vari-
grounds, including engineer-
ety of events and activities
ing. Through joining CUSBS,
throughout the year. These
you will hear from leading
include guest talks by lead-
researchers in the field and
ing researchers in the field,
meet
and ongoing practical proj-
from different fields and uni-
ects that are entirely run by
versities. You will have the
society members. Last year
opportunity to try out prac-
we ran two projects: the hard-
tical biological engineering
ware team continued work-
with state of the art tools and
ing on the conversion of a
facilities, including the societ-
passionate
students
CNC router to a scanning light microscope with associated
ies’ 3-D printer in the Dyson centre. If the challenge of engi-
image stitching software, while the wetware team focused
neering life itself sounds intriguing and you would like to
on the basics of genetic engineering and circuit design -
find out more about, please get in touch! You can find us at
laying the groundwork for a fully-fledged metabolic engi-
the CUSU Fresher’s Fair, on Facebook @CUSBS, on Twitter
neering project starting this year in the new Biomakespace.
@CU_SynBioSoc, at our website cusbs.soc.srcf.net, or by
Both teams will be continuing their projects this year and
signing up to our mailing list at CUSBS-Interest@srcf.net.
19
CU3D CU3D is the department’s resident 3D printing society, and
machine and in particular a lot of CAD work. Our preferred
we help students launch projects that need rapid prototyp-
CAD tool is Solidworks, so it’s a good chance to learn to use
ing skills. We work closely with the Dyson Centre, which is
the software as the course only teaches you to use CREO.
the department’s main workshop and somewhere you will no doubt spend a lot of time over the next four years.
If you’re in for a challenge, in October we are launching a new project for this year – designing a contraption display
The Dyson Centre has a set of Ideawerk and soon Ultimaker
for the Heath Robinson Museum in London. It will be a
3D printers which are free for undergraduates to use. We
modular design that will give new and experienced stu-
help train new students how to use the machines, what they
dents alike a chance to challenge themselves and come up
are capable of and how best to design for manufacture with
with innovative designs that pull on all areas of engineering.
3D printing.
You’ll have the opportunity to lead a design from day one and it will be a brilliant opportunity to improve you design
We meet each week at 2pm in the Dyson Centre. In meet-
and make skills. Ciara Norris is the Project Leader, and you
ings students work on personal projects, get trained to use
can get in touch with her at cmsmn2@cam.ac.uk for info or
the machines and work on society led projects. These can
to register your interest.
involve other training such as laser cutters, the digital CNC
20
Photos courtesy of CU3D
We also have an ongoing project from
filaments such as flexible plastic. This is
last year, our Robotic Archery Turret. We
free to use for members with a project
are upgrading the turret for the disability
that needs it, no matter how small.
charity Remap, which supports children
We strongly encourage you to come
around the country. The turret is effec-
along to one of the meetings or demon-
tively a ballista that allows physically
stration talks that we will host early on in
disabled children to opportunity to try
term. 3D printing even just for personal
out archery, something they couldn’t do
use can be incredibly powerful and it is
otherwise. Our Project Leader for this is
increasingly becoming an relevant skill
Preben Ness, who you can contact for
to have when looking to industry.
more details at pmn26@cam.ac.uk. Even if you are just looking for more We help students launch projects of their
info or for who to contact about an idea
own design, such as a cycling based
or problem to do with 3D printing, get
project last year which began collabo-
in contact with us. Contact one of the
ration with researchers in the depart-
Project Leaders above, find us in the
ment. The society has an Ultimaker 2+
Dyson centre on Wednesdays at 2pm
Extended of our own, upgraded to a
or you can contact the Team Director,
direct drive so it can print more exotic
James Roberts, at jpr55@cam.ac.uk.
21
Photos courtesy of Cambridge University Eco Racing
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY ECO RACING How can you cross 3,000km of the Australian Outback
This October, starting on Sunday 8th, the current CUER
using just the power of the sun? This is the question that
challenge team will be joining 41 other teams in attempt-
Cambridge University Eco Racing (CUER) has been tackling
ing to complete the route of the Bridgestone World Solar
since the team was founded back 2007.
Challenge in the fastest time possible. The team will face soaring temperatures over 40 degrees and the inhospitable
CUER is a society which provides an environment for stu-
terrain of the Outback during their 5-6 day adventure. This,
dents from all over Cambridge University to be part of the
combined with maintaining the solar car itself, poses a
solution to the long-term issue of sustainable transport. It
multi-faceted challenge which has had two years of dedi-
brings together the network to develop the expertise to be
cated preparation already. You can follow the progress of
able to create their own solar electric vehicle.
the team through our twitter, facebook and website (www. cuer.co.uk).
The team currently focusses its efforts on producing vehicles to compete in the World Solar Challenge (WSC), an
This year, the team is competing with Mirage, a 5m long
endurance competition covering 3,000km from Darwin to
vehicle with a carbon fibre chassis and triple junction galli-
Adelaide. Over 40 teams from institutions around the world
um arsenide solar cells. The concept, a development of the
compete in the challenge which takes place every two
team’s previous two vehicles, takes many lessons forward,
years. This timescale allows for significant development of
incorporating many features such as a solar array which
cutting-edge vehicles between competitions and means
tracks the sun and passive internal cooling for the driver.
that most students can experience the challenge itself during their time with the team.
In order to design and manufacture Mirage, the team has had to raise a significant amount of support, including
22
several hundred-thousand pounds in
continued growth comes from the
work and no play. This is helped by the
sponsorship revenue. Many compa-
stable network around the members
marvellous solar community which
nies are also involved on the technical
which provides a long-term view of
covers the globe and facilitates fruitful
side, providing engineering expertise
what the team has tried and achieved
and enduring relationships between
and manufacturing capabilities as in-
in the past, as well as ensuring that the
both teams and individuals.
kind sponsorship for the team. This
core values of the team are carried for-
is an excellent way for students to
ward through each generation. As part
As one cycle comes to its culmination,
learn about fundraising and money
of this structure, we are very privileged
the new competition cycle kicks off
management as well as developing
to have a Steering Committee com-
and we are looking for motivated, pro-
relationships with a large variety of
prised of some of the most influential
active and passionate students to join
companies from PR agencies to auto-
figures in the Cambridge Technology
all areas of our team as we define our
motive developers.
sphere, including Prof.Tony Purnell,
plans for further success at the World
Head of Technical Development for
Solar Challenge in 2019. A new cycle
Of course, the team doesn’t exist sole-
British Cycling, and Hermann Hauser,
is a great chance to reflect on what
ly for its own benefit, we are here to
founder of ARM.
we have achieved and see where we
inspire as well as to innovate. Our story
can go next. There are so many pos-
is a great example of the potential
The opportunity to work with and
sibilities and you can help to steer the
of young students and how excit-
learn from such influential individu-
direction of the next WSC campaign.
ing engineering can be, so we try
als is part of the reason that students
to share it as far and wide as pos-
are willing to commit so much to the
There are a huge variety of roles
sible. This involves the team attend-
team, as the return on investment can
available, from media and business
ing events across the world, most
be enormous for those who really take
through to concept development
recently in Tokyo and San Francisco,
the team’s values to heart. In addition
and vehicle analysis, so there really
running workshops with local schools
to this, through the intense nature of
is something for everyone. If you are
and also engaging not just local but
such an enormous challenge, tight-
interested in joining the team or want
national and international media.
knit teams are formed each cycle
to find out more, please email cap-
and through spending so much time
tain@cuer.co.uk.
An entirely student-led team, CUER’s
together, we ensure that it’s not all
23
KATHY’S CENTRE A team of AECOM engineers volunteered to help build Kathy’s Centre, a community health and education facility in rural Uganda. AECOM shares more about this project.
At AECOM our technical expertise and global reach give us a unique opportunity to make a positive, lasting impact on the lives of people around the world. We do this by delivering access to safe and secure infrastructure to those who need it most, ensuring they have a place to call home and resources to thrive. We’ve worked to promote quality of life and sustainable economic growth in developing nations for more than 60 years. Today, we’re one of the world’s largest International Development service providers, delivering solutions in more than 100 countries. We use our expertise to lessen our impact on the planet, to help communities prepare for the future and deliver international development services through
24
Zak (AECOM), Mauricia (Haileybury Youth Trust) and Giles (Wood Group Company) Photography curtesy of ©HYT 2017
dedicated practice areas. We work
and ensure future leaders reflect the
with clients in the public and pri-
diversity of the world we live in.
vate sectors to achieve sustainable development outcomes through cost-
AECOM
engineers
from
the
effective, innovative and equitable
Manchester area volunteered for
activities.
Engineers for Overseas Development (EFOD) to help build Kathy’s Centre
These include:
— a community health and education
•
Infrastructure and cities
facility — in rural Uganda. Delivered
•
Agriculture and economic growth
through the North West (NW) partner
•
Democracy, human rights and
charity, Act4Africa - a Manchester-
governance
based charity - our volunteers pro-
•
Human development
vided technical expertise and were
•
Disaster and crisis management
actively involved in fundraising for the project. This ambitious project was
We help to develop the next gen-
supported by the AECOM Millennium
eration of the world’s problem solvers
Project.
25
Zak Jones from AECOM writes more about his personal experience working on Kathy’s Centre and within the field of Development Engineering.
When I think of my experience in
In the context of a highly emotive
international development I think of a
and vulnerable community setting,
line from A Tale of Two Cities: ‘It was
our aim was to contribute to decision
the best of times, it was the worst of
making processes; applying our tech-
times.’ Not because it was anything
nical knowledge to help maximise
like the Charles Dicken’s novel but
the buildings’ operations, EFOD NW’s
it aptly describes the rollercoaster I
impact and the overall legacy.
experienced. International development is a labour of love but the per-
The complexity in international devel-
sonal sacrifices are rewarded with a
opment comes from the social, eco-
fantastic professional experience and
nomic and environmental responsi-
a chance to change poverty-afflicted
bilities and as volunteers, we share in
communities. It was an amazing expe-
this. Armed with enthusiasm we set
rience from inception to construction.
out to translate these complexities
We accepted the responsibility we
into a successful project. A mem-
had to the community, to our charity
ber of EFOD NW summed it up very
client and to our donors. We added
nicely, “If you are going to interfere in
value throughout the design and con-
people’s lives and communities, then
struction phases that will provide a
they deserve the best engineers and
legacy for the community we touched.
solutions.”
EFOD NW had just completed their second project in four years of exis-
Sustainable operation
tence and this is where I and my fellow engineers stepped in to be
A regular cost effective power supply
involved.
was crucial to the centre’s functioning. We opted to provide a solar panel
26
system that could operate as a mains
tion and construction.
electrical supply. This gave the centre a certainty over power supply, allow-
make no profit from project activities and at least 95 per cent of all pro-
Legacy of construction skills
ing their important work to continue
ceeds collected go directly to help children in the projects supported by
unaffected. We were able to reduce
Our largest impact has been in con-
the charity.
overheads in running costs through
struction skills sharing. From the
the roof design and construction. It
beginning we employed six local
In 16 years the charity has supported
was designed to use the stack effect
apprentices under EFOD’s and HYT’s
36 projects in 23 countries, funding
and passive ventilation keeping it cool.
tutelage for the duration of construc-
school buildings in Mozambique and
Large and frequently-placed windows
tion enabling them to have great-
Ethiopia and two sand dams in Kenya
enabled natural lighting. We also
er employment opportunities in the
to name but a few, It has raised more
installed a composting toilet (EcoSan)
future. We gifted the ISSB press to
than £200,000 for projects that have a
that diverts solids from liquids and
Act4Africa, which will keep producing
real and lasting impact on children’s
allows them to compost, thereby mak-
ISSBs to sell to the community. This
lives.
ing them suitable for agricultural use
will provide continued sustainable
and perfect for the rural area in which
construction materials and employ-
Kathy’s Centre is located. EFOD has a
ment.
reputation for promoting interlocking soil stabilised bricks (ISSBs) in sub-
AECOM Millennium Project
Saharan Africa. The bricks are cured on site in the sun. This approach elimi-
The AECOM Millennium Project is a
nates transport emissions, deforesta-
UK-registered charity focused on the
tion and wood combustion associated
relief of poverty, hardship and distress
with traditional clay-fired bricks. We
among children in developing coun-
employed the Haileybury Youth Trust
tries throughout the world. Managed
(HYT) that specialises in ISSB produc-
by a group of AECOM volunteers, we
Further Information AECOM www.aecom.com Engineers for Overseas Development www.efod.org.uk Act4Africa www.act4africa.org The Haileybury Youth Trust www.hytuganda.com
“
If you are going to interfere in people’s lives and communities, then they deserve the best engineers and solutions.”
27
CAREER PROFILE: OXFAM I started my academic and profession-
their ancestral relationship with the
al career in engineering, studying for
land, as well as finding out about their
an MA (Hons) in Physical Geography
culture and social norms, and their
at University of Aberdeen, and later a
involvement in oyster farming.
Postgraduate (MSc) in Environmental Engineering at the University of
While I was in that part of the world, I
Newcastle. I was able to learn about
saw the terrible aftermath of the tsu-
water resource management; water
nami in Aceh, a province of Indonesia.
quality and water quantity, WASH
This overwhelmed me and I decided
(Water,
Hygiene
that I needed to be in humanitarian
Promotion) in developing countries
work. I worked for GOAL, an Irish NGO,
and water politics. As a student, I was
as a water and sanitation engineer in
interested in the humanitarian sector,
Sri Lanka for 1 year. This was hugely
but before launching myself into it I
challenging but massively rewarding
decided to gain some skills first in the
– helping the Sri Lankan communities
UK and then in New Zealand working
with rebuilding their homes, schools
for an engineering consultancy as a
and market areas post-tsunami.
Sanitation,
and
graduate civil – hydraulic engineer. It was after this that I joined Oxfam
28
For five years, I worked on the devel-
as a water and sanitation engineer in
opment of both new and upgrad-
their emergency response team, and
ed waste water treatment works in
was posted to help with the tsunami
Cumbria, Liverpool and Manchester.
response in Indonesia. For five years,
Then I transferred to a placement in
I spent my time with the emergency
New Zealand for a couple of years
response team travelling around to
where I was responsible for improving
countries as need arose. For the last
waste water treatment systems in the
five years, I have been one of the
Far North of New Zealand. This was
global technical engineering advi-
a humbling, incredible experience
sors based in Oxfam headquarters in
working alongside the Maori commu-
Oxford, covering Asia, the Middle East,
nities. I learnt a lot from them about
and Northern Africa. Oxfam is one
In this issue’s career profile, we learn more about being an engineer with Oxfam. Jenny Lamb is a Water and Sanitation Engineer, focusing on emergency response, and she tells us more about her career in this field.
Photos courtesy of Jenny Lamb
of the leading agencies in providing
Where and how you have helped as
water services through WASH and we
an engineer?
are a key player in research and devel-
ing water and sanitation facilities. A second memory is of Oxfam
opment. Our logistics teams have
Over the last ten years with Oxfam,
responding to the earthquake in
developed a range of engineering
I have responded to a variety of cri-
Port-au-Prince in Haiti. The only open
equipment, such as the Oxfam 14-litre
ses, including the aftermath of the
space left after the earthquake was a
water bucket, and steel tanks for con-
Haiti earthquake, the cholera out-
golf course! Oxfam helped set up a
taining water. Working for Oxfam is
break in Zimbabwe, and the conflict
camp for approx. 60,000 people in the
like joining a really big family.
in Iraq, Syria and Jordan. We work
golf course, providing water, as well
with local communities to understand
as bathing, and toilet facilities. Of late,
What qualifications do you need for
their needs, preferences and col-
I have been supporting the Yemen
the job?
lection action. Local people have to
team with their hugely challenging
assemble water tanks, or dig pits for
response given the war, food crisis,
In most instances in the WASH team,
toilets. Two of my lasting memories
and grave cholera outbreak. Cholera
we want candidates with either a
are when we carried out assessments
is the knockout blow for Yemen – it is
qualification
civil engineering,
in Kurdistan Iraq to hear that commu-
the worst cholera outbreak globally.
public health, and water resources.
in
nities had been displaced 2-3 times
I have spent a lot of time this year
However, if someone has experience
due to ISIS, how many families had
supporting the Yemen team with their
in the humanitarian sector then we
lost their immediate family and did not
cholera response.
would consider this as well and it does
know when they could return home.
not necessarily mean you should have
We helped through distributing cash,
a civil engineering degree.
shelter and hygiene items, and provid-
29
What do you personally get out of
has been a steep learning curve – you
the job?
learn on the job, roll up your sleeves and just get on with it. You need to
Working for Oxfam and in the humani-
be agile, creative, hardworking and a
tarian sector is a huge privilege and
team player – all which Oxfam sup-
honour. Every hour, every day I gain
ports you through by exposing you to
a huge amount from this experience
different contexts, and providing you
ranging from responding to different
opportunities to increase your techni-
countries, and contexts. Moreover, it
cal skill.
is the people you meet and engage with – ranging from the communities
To learn more about careers at Oxfam
affected by the humanitarian disaster
visit: https://jobs.oxfam.org.uk/
to the staff you work alongside. It sure
“
I saw the terrible aftermath of the tsunami in Aceh, a province of Indonesia. This overwhelmed me and I decided that I needed to be in humanitarian work.”
30
Sakthy Selvakumaran is a PhD researcher here at CUED. She tells us more about her current research and its applications.
REMOTELY MONITORING INFRASTRUCTURE We’ve long had eyes in the sky, but the range of sensors
remote measurements of movement using radar imagery.
and resolution of data available from satellites is growing
The radar waves transmitted from the satellite travel to
rapidly. Increasingly we are better able to monitor, map and
objects on the earth’s surface and then are reflected to
assess the Earth’s surface: everything from using radar to
the satellite to form radar images. The time it takes each
map flood damage (crucial
radar signal to return is
following recent disasters
used to calculate the
such as Hurricane Harvey
precise position of that
in Texas and severe flood-
point on the Earth’s sur-
ing in South Asia) to mul-
face. When features on
tispectral and optical data
the ground move, the
to monitor crop yields and
distance between the
the burning and healing
sensor on the satellite
of forests. The increas-
and the earth’s surface
ing frequency of extreme
changes, thereby pro-
weather events, leading
ducing a corresponding
to deterioration and col-
change in measured sig-
lapse of bridges, dams,
nal phase. The changes
tunnels and other key ser-
in measured phase that
vices has highlighted the
occur between repeat
importance of monitoring
passes of the satellite are
the structural health of our
used to quantify millime-
infrastructure – so can we help monitor and predict the failure of critical infrastructure
tre scale ground movements.
assets remotely from the sky? This will also be combined with other imagery and meaThe primary method of satellite measurement used in this
surement data sets to better understand environmental
research is Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR)
context and study assets which have collapsed or failed.
which has the capability to provide wide-area, high density,
As engineers we are able to study and understand how
Figure illustrating principle of InSAR satellite measuring technology
31
Clockwise from top: Bridge collapsing. InSAR image taken over London by the European Space Agency Sentinel 1 satellite constellation. Unwrapped phase image produced during InSAR processing (data provided by Deutsches Zentrum fĂźr Luft- und Raumfahrt)
infrastructure assets should and do move under various different loading conditions and environmental scenarios, but we are unable to constantly monitor assets manually. The ability to remotely monitor assets and detect unexpected movements or sinking to a millimetre level could potentially spot problems before they become disasters. The challenge of this research is to see whether the resolution, accuracy and frequency of satellite measurement is up to the job.
32
W p m
THE BUSINESS OF AID Chloe Underdown is a graduate engineer at Mott MacDonald working in international development. In this article, she shares about being in this field from the perspective of an engineering consultancy. When people think of international development, charities or non-governmental organisations usually come to mind initially. However, many international development projects are delivered by the private sector, including consultancies such as Mott MacDonald. The UK Government has committed to spending 0.7% of gross national income on international aid. Like many other nations, the money is spent directly on recipient countries, known as bilateral aid, or through multilateral agencies such as the World Bank, European Investment Bank and Asian Development Bank. Mott MacDonald works on projects both directly for donors and for the governments of developing countries. Some of the work Mott MacDonald undertakes includes supporting poverty alleviation, promoting good governance and helping increase access to basic services, as well as building capacity and resilience in areas such as healthcare, education, water and sanitation. The consultancy also provides leading expertise in sectors including transportation, infrastructure and renewable energy, while safeguarding the environment, promoting human rights and gender equity and fostering social and economic development. While this article will focus specifically on water and sanitation, Mott MacDonald’s projects span the full range of engineering disciplines. They also range in size. In Dhaka, Bangladesh, the consultancy is providing management, procurement, design and construction supervision services for a new, safe and sustainable water supply. Consisting of a new river intake, water treatment works, trunk and distri-
Water tower in Yei, South Sudan, constructed as part of water supply and sanitation improvements managed by Mott MacDonald.
33
Clockwise from left: Bangladesh, where Mott MacDonald is working on a safe and sustainable water supply for 5 million people. Blue Gold Project. Project Sunrise.
bution mains, the system will serve
neers play a vital role in achieving all
stipulating female participation, Mott
approximately five million people
17 goals. The goals require connected,
MacDonald has helped make sure
and reduce dependence on a rapidly
multidisciplinary thinking, providing
that women have their voices heard,
depleting aquifer. At the other end of
companies such as Mott MacDonald
which in turn has empowered women
the scale, Mott MacDonald is also
with both an opportunity and a chal-
and young girls to take on other roles
building or renovating 26 public toi-
lenge.
in the community. Additionally, train-
lets and bathing buildings in the city,
34
ing has helped farmers diversify their
which will improve safety by providing
While it is easy to see how infrastruc-
crops or livestock and support has
separate facilities for men and women
ture may contribute directly to certain
been given to help villagers bring pro-
and increase accessibility for disabled
goals, there are also indirect benefits
duce to market. As a result, the proj-
people.
that engineering provides. Blue Gold
ect not only contributes to alleviating
is an ongoing project in Bangladesh
poverty for 150,000 families (SDG1)
The Sustainable Development Goals
which will stabilise a 115,000ha area
and increasing food security (SDG2),
(SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals
across four coastal districts, improv-
but also improving gender equality
covering a broad range of sustain-
ing the safety of the population by
(SDG5) and promoting sustainable
able
Mott
strengthening dykes and clearing silt
economic growth (SDG8).
MacDonald recently collaborated with
from drainage channels. Communities
the Royal Academy of Engineering
have been able to play a leading
Working in international development
on their Engineering a Better World
role in identifying, implementing and
is not without its constraints or chal-
programme*, which shows how engi-
maintaining these interventions. By
lenges however. Like all international
development
issues.
“
Some of Mott MacDonald’s projects are in fragile, conflict and post-conflict affected states, which ...challenge the design, planning, management, monitoring and evaluation of projects and programmes...”
projects, language and cultural dif-
provide people with even the most
down, or, if necessary, discontinued.
ferences must be accounted for. Mott
basic services such as clean water,
At the time of writing, the South Sudan
MacDonald combines global know-
healthcare and education.
programme is suspended due to the
how with local delivery, drawing on
resumption of armed conflict, with the
a network of 16,000 staff across 150
In South Sudan, Mott MacDonald
hope it will continue after the cessa-
countries.
is managing a programme of proj-
tion of hostilities.
ects to develop safe water supply for Some of Mott MacDonald’s projects
160,000 residents and basic sanita-
International development is a diverse
are in fragile, conflict and post-con-
tion improvements for 40,000 people
field with interesting opportunities
flict affected states, which present
in conflict-sensitive areas. The con-
across all engineering disciplines.
tough challenges in the international
sultancy is undertaking a technical
Although non-governmental organ-
development sector. These scenarios
review and coordinating between
isations may be seen as the traditional
challenge the design, planning, man-
multiple stakeholders to support a
route into the industry, the private
agement, monitoring and evaluation
client of limited capacity. Working in
sector has an important role to play,
of projects and programmes due to
unpredictable, governance-light envi-
particularly in the delivery of large-
the high levels of risk and uncertain-
ronments requires an approach to
scale infrastructure projects.
ties compared to working in more
programme design and management
stable parts of the world. There is
that allows for maximum flexibility,
often a lack of governance, along with
so that interventions can be quickly
a lack of will and/or the resources to
adapted or redirected, scaled up or
35
P f N
36
People waiting for the outreach clinic for maternal and child health in Northern Tanzania
LOW COST DIAGNOSTICS
Cassi Henderson is a PhD researcher at the Institute of Manufacturing (IfM) and the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. She is part of the team of researchers which developed fast, low-cost diagnotic tests which could help save lives in areas with limited medical infrastructure. She explains how the technology behind these tests work. Treatable infectious diseases are among the major causes
as a sample-to-answer diagnostic test. The instrument will
of death in low- and middle-income countries. One of the
only require a small finger prick blood sample.
main problems is that some infectious diseases share similar or identical symptoms and often the only way to confirm
A second challenge towards achieving a successful test for
the illness is to take a blood sample and run a series of
low resource settings is keeping the cost down. Long sup-
specialist diagnostic tests in a laboratory. Such laboratories
ply chains and logistical challenges where medical equip-
are few and far between in the areas most plagued by such
ment has to be transported long distances and to remote
diseases.
locations add significant cost to any test. A good solution will not only optimise the technical aspects but also look to
It is critical that health practitioners are able to detect the
make the best use of local resources available.
difference between bacterial and viral infections, for example leptospirosis and dengue fever, because they require
To overcome this, we are using novel technologies to
very different treatments. This is especially important in
enable the diagnostic tests to be manufactured locally,
light of the rise in global antibiotic resistance with clinicians
targeting less than $0.50 per test. One of the more expen-
reluctant to administer antibiotics without a confirmed diag-
sive components of the test is the enzyme that is used to
nosis of bacterial infection.
amplify the pathogen’s genetic material (DNA/RNA) to high enough levels to be detected from a finger-prick blood
To address this, we are using innovative biotechnology and
sample.
manufacturing technologies to develop a low-cost test that can deliver a real-time result without the need to send
The high cost and required specialist skills of traditional
blood samples off to a centralised pathology laboratory or
methods of manufacturing the enzyme, together with
the need for specialist technicians to process the samples.
requirements for refrigeration of the enzyme, would present
The aim is to integrate the whole testing process into a sin-
a barrier to local production. To address this, we have devel-
gle instrument similar to the home pregnancy test, known
oped a technique that allows for direct purification of the
37
Diagnostic lab in Northern Tanzania
enzyme from cell culture that bypasses the complex multistep process usu-
The project is a collaboration between
ally required and packages the enzyme
University departments of Chemical
ready for use.
Engineering
and
Biotechnology
(Professor Lisa Hall) and Institute for The enzyme has been genetically modi-
Manufacture (Dr. Ronan Daly) as well
fied using synthetic biology techniques
as global partners at the University of
so that it can be collected easily by
Ghana (Professor Gordon Awandare from
sedimentation. The protein has also
the West African Centre for Cell Biology
been given a pink colour to make it
of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP)) and
easy to see when the enzyme has been
the Universiti Putra Malaysia (Dr. Hui Yee
successfully produced and collected.
Chee).
These two features should make it pos-
38
sible for individuals with minimal training
We hope to deliver a sustained improve-
to manufacture the enzyme locally in
ment in healthcare, while also develop-
low resource regions. The aim is to have
ing local economies, by using advances
the enzyme and all components
in synthetic biology and the applica-
be contained on a diagnostic card
tion of latest manufacturing research
that can also be manufactured local-
to deliver a robust local fabrication set-
ly and ultimately manufactured with
up. This will also drive local enterprise,
local materials. The diagnostic test will
improve technological education and
be linked to a mobile phone app for
management of infection. We see this as
data collection and transmission when
a sustainable approach to point-of-care
required.
low-cost diagnostics.
CUES
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY ENGINEERING SOCIETY
W W W.C U ES .O R G .U K