A recent graduate from Robert Gordon University’s (RGU) School of Engineering has picked up a top industry award for his innovative project on engineering simulation.
Jordan Davidson
Jordan Davidson, who graduated in the summer, picked up the Outstanding Project Award at the Simulation and Modelling 2018 conference, an annual event focusing on simulation and modelling organised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
His winning project used a simulation technique called Molecular Dynamics to study phenomena on the atomic scale.
The phenomena related to cold spraying – a manufacturing technology where metallic particles are sprayed onto components at extremely high velocity for the purpose of forming a coating or repairing loss of material, which is a difficult procedure and can be very costly.
Jordan’s simulation method circumvents many of the difficulties, allowing predictions to be made without the associated expense.
Jordan, who is now working with BP as a graduate mechanical engineer, was presented with his award and a prize of £1,000 at the conference in Birmingham.
“I was absolutely thrilled to have won — especially because I was informed the judge’s decision was unanimous,” Jordan said.
“This was my third award from IMechE, having previously been awarded the Project Prize for Most Outstanding Project and the IMechE Group Project Award, which provided funding to present this and further work at the European Conference on Nanofilms 2018.
“I was also awarded the School of Engineering Prize at the end of my final year, so 2018 was all a bit surreal.”
In order to be considered for the prize, Jordan had to initially submit a report summary which was then short-listed. He was the required to submit his full report and both stages were reviewed by a panel of expert judges from the IMechE and NAFEMS.
