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. March 19, 18:30 - 20:30 Microsoft Research Cambridge 21 Station Road, CB1 2FB Find more information at aka.ms/AIResidencyCam
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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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