Engineering

Student Profiles:

Mikel Alonso
Studying for a PhD Aerospace Engineering I am using computational aeroacoustics techniques to investigate circular and noncircular jet noise. Jet noise has become an issue of concern in the last decades and with the growth of computers it is important to study it and develop techniques to understand it and reduce it as much as possible. I can summarise our method as follows: I use a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach where an incompressible flow is solved and this solution is coupled with Lighthill’s acoustic analogy. I can then obtain a basic sound radiation pattern for circular, elliptical and coaxial jets. Our in-house computational code Lithium is used for this purpose.

The best bits of my Phd are discussing and analysing results with my; thinking and planning new objectives or re-structuring initial objectives can also be motivating. From a fluid dynamics point of view, after obtaining results, the process of analysing them and comparing them to existing results can be quite enjoyable and satisfying if the results are good. Needless to say, attending conferences and presenting your results is probably one of the most satisfying “bits” of the PhD. We have attended two international conferences and I have met famous people in the field, and it is an honour to present you work to them.
Of course one encounters many obstacles and problems. As an engineer, these sorts of challenges are welcome most of the time. It does help to know your supervisor is there when support is needed. One should always remember that dealing with these challenges is the main source of experience during a PhD.

In the Engineering Department at Queen Mary any PhD student will have the excellent support of our research secretary for all sorts of troubles. In any other Engineering Department you might feel a bit isolated, but I find this is not the case at QM. As a student representative I find this is how all students I have spoken to feel. At the beginning of the PhD this support is crucial.
           
However, the most important aspect for research purposes is, in my opinion, the relationship student-supervisor. Although it is hard to generalise about this, in my case the project supervisor is a very professional and well prepared researcher. Students should ensure their supervisor is willing to put initial effort and work into their project and students should also ensure that there are at least a couple of conferences planned in the first 30 months. In most cases computational and experimental facilities are pretty good, but this should always be looked into in the early weeks of the PhD, if not before it. Chatting to current students, for example, is an effective way of learning about these things.

I’m not sure where I’ll be in five years time. I am open to several options as I want to keep my feet on the ground. However, if I had to “hope” for something, then I would like to be in industry. I have always wanted to be an engineer so I would not mind changing my field a little bit. I would probably like to do some detail or technical work for a little while but I would like to have responsibilities as soon as feasible. Ideally I would like to be involved in dynamic projects that perhaps touch a few other fields in order to expand my knowledge. This could be in the form of engineering consulting, project engineering or even research and development. I would like to be chartered in 5 years as this can be quite important nowadays. Of course, changing the field completely is also an option; it all depends really on what career opportunities are out there next year and, if that was the case, on what sort of learning -adapting - process was planned.

I would suggest that any engineering applicant comes to visit the department and have a chat with current students and with the prospect supervisor. This could probably be the most practical and useful thing to do before one starts a PhD. Another thing that sounds obvious but many people “forget” to do is to photocopy -or download- and read the papers the prospect supervisor has written in the last 2 or 3 years and also to read a little on the subject. Not only it will contribute towards the PhD but it could also avoid future disappointments or misunderstandings.

Wei Li
Department of Engineering, studying for a PhD in Medical Engineering
“I chose to study at Queen Mary for many reasons: its good reputation in terms of academic standards and excellence in research, its multicultural staff and students (who are friendly, supportive and open-minded), and finally its fantastic location (close to central London with easy access to public transport and facilities).

“Since studying at Queen Mary I have gained a great amount of experience in my research field (oxygen partial pressure measurement of different tissues using biosensors) and also life in general. Research in the Department is supported by excellent experimental facilities which are helping me develop top quality lab skills. The best things about the course are seminars, presentations, and research exchange programmes which broaden my horizons and open opportunities for future careers.

“In terms of teaching excellence, innovation and academic and study facilities I am very satisfied with Queen Mary. The academic staff are really helpful and the courses offer a lot of facilities that allow better comprehension. On the social side, I really enjoy the College social, leisure and recreational facilities.  I am a member of Queen Mary Squash club and I also play badminton twice a week.”

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