The Cambridge Engineer: Lent Edition 2018

THE CAMBRIDGE ENGINEER

Cambridge University Engineering Society Lent • Mar 2018

The Wider World From the big to the small

Contents 04 Career Profile: TTP 09 2018: A Space Odyssey 12 A Unique Role for Biomedical Engineers 16 Career Profile: TPP

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From the Editor In our final issue of this academic year, we explore the wider world, going from the big to the small.

Our Sponsors MAIN SPONSORS

With the recent SpaceX launch, we have taken another step in exploring the wonders beyond the boundaries of Planet Earth. We take a look back at the launch as it happened.

And from the wider universe, we zoom in to the small things around us. TTP is our newest sponsor, and share more about some of their work in the biomedical sector, among others.

We would also like to welcome another new sponsor, TPP, who will also be telling us about the work being done there.

Finally, we hope you will have a great Easter break, and see you next academic year!

Magazine Editor Sze Ning Chng magazine@cues.org.uk

ASSOCIATE SPONSORS

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CAREER PROFILE: TTP Edwin Stone is a CUED alumnus and currently works at TTP. In this interview, he shares more about his experiences working with them.

What did you study at Cambridge?

I did a straight engineering PhD in vehicle dynamics, looking at the stability of heavy vehicles such as 44-tonne articulated lorries. If these lorries go around corners too quickly, they can roll over. This has a human cost, but also a large economic cost in traffic delays and clean up times – getting a lorry back on its wheels is very tricky. One option is to make the suspension very stiff, but doing so leads to increased road damage, resulting once again in traffic delays. I was working on a semi-active system to try and get both, good roll over performance

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Image courtesy of TTP

and reduced road damage simultane-

me the ability to span different fields

really important things, but often

ously. This involved everything from

and are the key to everything.

haven’t written down these things, or

computer modelling to vehicle con-

even know that they are doing them.

struction and, ultimately, vehicle test-

One of the major projects I am

Our first job is therefore to work out

ing. That breadth was key to working

involved in aims to take a test out of a

what they are doing. Added to this,

out what I wanted to do, giving me

central hospital lab and allow for it to

we have the challenge that cells are

a wide range of skills and, critically,

be conducted by a doctor in A&E. The

really sensitive things, and often no

giving me the confidence to try new

biology of the test is the same, the

one really knows how they will react

fields.

challenge is an engineering one: to

to very small changes. So, when we

miniaturise a large system. However,

are developing our solution we need

you can’t do this without understand-

to deviate as little as possible from

ing the biology, so that means I’ve had

the manual process, and where we do

to understand enough biology.

make changes we have be careful to

What do you work on now?

Now I work on the opposite end of the size scale, focussing on biotechnology

monitor the effects.

and life science. I might work on cells

Another project is automating a cell

of a few microns down to proteins in

handling workflow. The challenge

Ultimately, the engineering I do

the nanometre size range. But it is the

here is that biologists are almost art-

together with biologists at TTP boils

skills I gained at Cambridge that gave

ists in their work. They do subtle but

down to understanding complex,

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interrelated systems, with the aim of

and mostly work with start-ups. Early

ciplinary teams at TTP is difficult to

understanding just enough about the

on, I was mostly working on techni-

beat. The biotechnology that enables

different dots to join them together

cal problems. Increasingly, I have led

the things I work on is only a few years

and come up with a working solution.

larger and larger projects as well as

old at the most, and probably only

getting involved with selling projects.

partially understood. At the same time

The sales process with start-ups can

being a Life Science Consultant is

often include helping them to attract

all about human interactions. To give

investment. This can even include

you just one anecdote, we were once

talking to investors directly. The TTP

developing a blood testing device for

model means that people are able to

a Japanese company, and initially the

define a path that suits them.

clients were unsure about working

How did your career progress to this point?

I joined TTP straight from my PhD. TTP has a flat structure, so there was no ladder to climb. But my work has certainly evolved, and progressed in a personally highly satisfying way. I have

with us. They were very cautious at

What are some of your most memorable and enjoyable experiences working at TTP?

worked in different areas including

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first. But I knew things had changed when I was taken out for dinner in Hiroshima and the client showed photos of his young family. I wasn’t quite

white goods and consumer products,

The mix of people and incredible

sure what to say. I reciprocated a few

but I am now focussed on life science

technology and working in multi-dis-

months later, when the client was in

Images courtesy of TTP

the UK. It’s fair to say, nothing in my engineering training had quite pre-

What can aspiring graduates expect from working at TTP?

would just slow down newcomers and restrict their ability to try new things.

pared me for those human interactions.

What does a day in the life of a TTP consultant involve?

You can definitely expect to immediately join the fray and start working on client projects.

We look for

If you could give yourself any advice when you were studying, what would it be?

people who can fit in quickly and be doing some great work from the go.

I didn’t appreciate the wide variety of

It’s a cliché to say that there is no typi-

One of the things I really value is the

ways you can be an “engineer”. There

cal day, but it’s true. Last week, I was

chance to work with some really tal-

are lots of roles, all with subtle varia-

in Spain watching biologists working

ented people, who I can learn from.

tions. Some companies are focussed

with individual cells. Next week, I will

At TTP, everyone’s voice is listened

on high risk projects, others make

be helping with a training course on

to, and the opportunity to define your

incremental changes with regular

business building. In between, I’ve

own direction and develop quickly

product launches. Some companies

been working on concepts for micro-

is not restricted by rigid expecta-

have specialists focussed on particu-

fluidic devices as well as negotiating

tions. For that reason, we don’t have

lar areas, in others people work on a

contracts. The work here at TTP is

a graduate trainee scheme in the tra-

range of areas. It’s important to think

incredibly varied.

ditional sense. The real risk is that this

about what you enjoy most, and even

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better to try it out to see if it works for you. The best way to understand this

If you could have any super power what would it be and why?

is undertake as many placements as possible.

What would your hints and tips be for anyone starting to look for a job?

Are there such things as elusive super powers in this day and age? We live in an age where these powers are active research projects. Elon Musk isn’t trying for teleportation (yet),

Do everything you can to find out

but he is developing the hyperloop.

about the company. Two that look the

Craig Venter is effectively working on

same can be very different. People

immortality.

tend to be keen to tell you about their

one would cure the common cold.

company, so find opportunities to

Perhaps the bridges we are build-

speak to them. Careers fairs, LinkedIn

ing between biology and engineering

and other students that have done

here at TTP will one day achieve that.

“

The mix of people and incredible technology and working in multidisciplinary teams at TTP is difficult to beat. ”

But I do wish some-

placements are all great sources of information. Different people suit different companies, so really think about

Im

what you want from an employer.

in step with developments?

So simple, yet so much fun. But not all slinkies are created equal.

How should a slinky be designed to work well?

Structure and material properties? Geometry? Step size?

Is there a better approach than a long spring?

And what is good performance anyway?

There is no answer at the back of the book.

Discuss your approach to this and the real problems you could be solving at TTP every day. explore@ttp.com

Apply yourself.

Explore TTP. 8

www.ttp.com

Images courtesy of SpaceX

On 6 February 2018, SpaceX successfully launched the Falcon Heavy from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

This is our look back on the launch as it happened.

2018: A SPACE ODYSSEY 20:44:00

20:46:06

This is the final minute of the count-

We’re at max Q, the point of maximum

down, the flight computer will begin

aerodynamic pressure. This is a key

the final prelaunch checks and the pro-

milestone as this is the point when

pellant tanks will be pressurised to the

the airframe experiences maximum

flight pressure. After a delay of more

mechanical stress.

than 2 hours due to wind shear we’ll finally see the launch of the Falcon

20:47:29

Heavy.

We have now reached booster engine cut-off (BECO). Boosters are the first

20:45:00

stage and they drop off when all the

We have liftoff! The payload is Elon

fuel is expended. SpaceX has been

Musk’s personal Tesla Roadster with a

developing reusable launch systems

mannequin named Starman. However,

since 2011, and successfully recovered

the Falcon Heavy can carry a maximum

boosters during a Falcon 9 launch in

of 64 metric tons, doubling the payload

2015.

of the next closest operational vehicle, the Delta IV Heavy, at one-third the

20:47:50

cost.

The two side boosters have reignited their engines and are returning to Cape

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Canaveral. This is known as the boostback burn and slows the boosters down.

20:48:04 The centre core is now shutting down as we reach MECO (main engine cut-off).

20:48:07 The centre core is now separating from the second stage, and should be returning to SpaceX’s drone ship. And that’s all for the first stage of the Falcon Heavy.

20:48:15 The second stage has now ignited to put the Falcon Heavy into a preliminary parking orbit.

20:48:24 The central core now begins boostback burn, reigniting its engines to descend onto the drone ship.

20:48:49 The payload fairing is a nose cone that protects the payload from dynamic pressure and aerodynamic heating as the rocket proceeds through the atmosphere. The fairing is now jettisoned. and the payload can be seen now!.

20:51:41 The side boosters now begin the entry burn as the boosters enter the Earth’s atmosphere again.

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20:51:47 The centre core has also started its entry burn.

20:52:58 The side boosters have landed!

20:53:19 We’re expecting the centre core to land as well, but the video feed’s been cut off.

20:53:31 This is the first second stage engine cut off (SECO 1), which is when the rocket reaches a low-altitude orbit, and the payload should coast for around 20 minutes before the second stage is ignited again.

21:13:22 The second stage engine has restarted again to bring the Falcon Heavy to a higher orbit.

21:13:51 This is SECO 2, and the engine has shut down again as the rocket continues to coast for the next six hours.

The Falcon Heavy launch was a pretty exciting event to witness, especially the successful landing of the side boosters.

It was later confirmed by SpaceX that the centre core was lost, but it barely detracts from the fact that we have made yet another step towards a genuine space age.

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Image courtesy of Michael Messina

A UNIQUE ROLE FOR BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERS Michael Messina is a Clinical Account Specialist with Biosense Webster. He shares more about their work in the medical device sector.

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The opportunity to work in a clinical

perspective to clinical patient care.

setting has always enticed me. During

Bouncing back and forth from decid-

my education, a Bachelor of Science in

ing to pursue medical school or to

Engineering in biomedical engineering

enter the professional world during my

from the University of Connecticut and

Master’s program, I discovered a posi-

a Master of Engineering in biomedical

tion that blended engineering prowess

engineering from Cornell University,

and clinical applications that require an

I aspired to apply the engineering

understanding of anatomy and physi-

ology. My name is Michael Messina

team, I am expected to know the

es in a patient’s heart. This role is an

and I am a Clinical Account Specialist

ins and outs of the field of cardiac

excellent fit for a biomedical engi-

(CAS) with Biosense Webster, Inc., a

electrophysiology and analyse real

neer with clinical interests because

subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. My

time signals collected from catheters

it requires a knowledge of systems,

position with Biosense Webster, Inc.

equipped with electrical leads. An

signals, data analysis, computer sav-

is a unique clinical role where I col-

essential part of my role is being famil-

viness and communication skills that

laborate with and guide cardiac elec-

iar with the equipment in the lab and

span from engineering jargon to clini-

trophysiologists (doctors who special-

being able to troubleshoot to tailor

cal language and workflows.

ise in analysing and treating irregular

the treatment to the doctor’s request

heartbeats) through corrective surgi-

and patient’s needs. When working

Biosense Webster, Inc. is the leader in

cal procedures.

on clinical cases I am in an operat-

the field of corrective electrophysiol-

ing room (more specifically, a cardiac

ogy and is a subsidiary of Johnson &

For those of you unaware of Biosense

catheterisation lab) overseeing my

Johnson. The job is very exciting to

Webster, the company specialises in

company’s equipment being used to

me because it presents the oppor-

engineering solutions and providing

correct irregular heartbeats through a

tunity for me to work on a tight-knit

clinical support for cardiac electro-

process of mapping and eliminating/

team in a large medical device com-

physiologists. Being on the clinical

electrically isolating irregular impuls-

pany. During the first 6 months in this

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Photo by Natanael Melchor on Unsplash

role, my title was Associate Clinical

as a full-fledged CAS. As the most

on perfecting my skills and improv-

Account Specialist (ACAS) and I spent

junior member of the team, I have

ing my knowledge of cardiac elec-

time studying and building an under-

been phased into the territory I cover

trophysiology. It has been a surreal

standing of the esoteric world of car-

(Long Island, New York) by relying on

experience thus far, and I am looking

diac electrophysiology. This phase

introductions to the doctors I will be

forward to what Biosense Webster

of the training consisted of observ-

working with by my teammates. By

has in store for me moving forward.

ing cases in the clinic with a veteran

watching and learning the workflows

As a biomedical engineer with clinical

CAS team member and online learn-

they have already established, I have

aspirations, I am lucky to have found

ing modules provided by Biosense

been able to bring myself up to speed

this position. Biosense Webster, Inc.

Webster’s educational team. Having

with the wants and needs of each

is the field’s leader in cardiac ablation

started the job a month after finish-

physician for each type of arrhyth-

technology, and to get involved at a

ing my Master’s degree, I was primed

mia treatment they are handling. Most

time of enormous growth and tech-

and ready to learn, although during

importantly, I have been able to aid

nological advancements is exciting

my classroom training at Johnson and

in patient care by building 3D maps,

beyond words.

Johnson’s educational headquarters

as shown, that displays the anatomy

in Irvine, California, I met fellow new

and bipolar voltage (color scaled) as

For more information about BWI, visit:

hires with diverse professional and

recorded by the catheters used, as

https://www.biosensewebster.com/

educational backgrounds who had an

well as where lesions have been cre-

For career opportunities, visit: http://

equally smooth transition to the job.

ated by radio frequency energy.

www.careers.jnj.com/

I have recently completed the training

At this point in my career (eight

program and have joined my team

months into it), I have been focused

Microsoft AI Residency Open Evening Come along to find out how you can gain hands-on experience working on practical AI and machine learning solutions that help to tackle some of society’s toughest challenges.

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Image courtesy of Pexel

CAREER PROFILE: TPP

Being a software developer at TPP requires no previous experience and most of our employees had never written a line of code before starting at the company. Everything you need to build a successful career here is learnt on the job. Our software developers often say that no two days are the same, and the amount of work you get involved in is exciting and varied. Luke Jones, a software developer and CUED alumnus tells us more about a typical day at TPP.

I was originally attracted to software engineering because of

stage of the project we’re at. The design stages tend to be

the balance between creativity and logic. I liked the idea of

very collaborative with other developers and business ana-

designing solutions to real-world problems, which required

lysts, sketching out the backend changes and building up

learning about the needs of the industry or customer, while

the layers all the way to the front end. At this stage we’ll try

balancing the problems specific to software. This includes

and assess any likely problems and come up with a work-

things like concurrency, scalability and robustness.

able solution together.

It was important to me to find a role which involved ‘full-

The design is amended and tweaked as the project pro-

stack development’ – that is, I would get to design and

gresses, but once I’ve got a good plan I can start imple-

work on everything from the user interface to the database

menting and testing it. Each stage has different demands,

architecture, rather than being pigeon-holed very quickly

for example backend work requires consideration of how

into a specialty I wouldn’t enjoy. Being a software developer

my change will perform when released to the Live server

at TPP has ticked all these boxes.

and may include load/performance testing, whereas once I’m working on the front end everything else that I need

My work days are incredibly varied depending on which

should be in place, so I’ll be more focused on the user

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experience and making the workflows

elements can be optimised in order

intuitive.

to improve performance of the overall system – a crucial skill at TPP.

At the moment I’m working on a national scale project to change how

As a clinical software company, that

all clinical information is encoded on

supplies Electronic Health Records to

the patient record. It’s a huge proj-

the NHS, the projects I get to work on

ect that involves connecting up lots

are always fascinating and I know that

of other systems, suppliers, messag-

the work I am doing will have a direct

ing protocols and software interfaces.

impact on the quality of patient care

Four years as an Engineering stu-

and efficiency of clinical staff. We’re

dent has given me the ability to take

now expanding into China and the

complex problems like this and break

Middle East so it’s a great time to get

them down into smaller and more

involved and put those Engineering

manageable pieces – something

skills to use across the Globe!

essential for a project on this scale. In my experience, Cambridge Engineers

Find out how you can get involved at

are confident holding multiple con-

www.tpptop50.com/cambridge

cepts in their head at once, visualising how different components interact with each other and how individual

Problem solvers wanted We are looking for outstanding graduates & postgraduates to join us in developing healthcare technology.

We require no prior experience at all and offer starting salaries of £40,000.

For more info visit www.tpptop50.com or www.tpp-uk.com/careers

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TPP Careers

@tpp_careers

@TPPCareers

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