Scholar Profile – Sam

Which area of Engineering are you interested in and why?

My main interests are in high voltage electrical power generation, conversion and storage as our reliance on electric motors and drives increases. As we move away from fossil fuels and seek cleaner alternatives for transportation, I am interested in exploring how to create more efficient machines and drives to facilitate hybrid and maybe even fully electric aircraft in the future.

Why did you want a scholarship with Collins Aerospace?

When applying for the UKESF scholarship, I wanted to choose a company at the forefront of the hybrid electric propulsion revolution working to supply the next generation of aircraft. The work undertaken by the Electronic Control and Motor Systems team in Solihull was exactly the type of exposure to the industry I was looking for. Being part of one of the largest aerospace companies in the world (as part of RTX) appealed to me due to the cutting-edge facilities and expert knowledge available.

What type of work have you been involved with during your placement?

During my first placement, I designed, modelled and tested a 125kW 3-phase inverter circuit for use within a motor drive system. This was the first time I had ever designed a PCB and testing the converter at high voltage was an eye-opening experience. For my second placement, I designed an 800V to 28V DC-DC converter, modelled the behaviour using MATLAB, wound my own transformer and tested the circuit in the lab. The hands-on experience at Collins Aerospace has been invaluable in developing my technical understanding of power electronics beyond the university’s curriculum.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I am a keen motorcyclist who enjoys strapping a tent to the back of my motorbike and exploring the UK and Europe with friends. I also hold a motorcycle racing license and enjoy the odd track-day as well as tinkering with my bikes in the garage. When the weather becomes too cold for biking, I enjoy skiing and snowboarding over in the alps, however, the latter requires quite a bit more practice.