More Related Content Similar to Mobility Tour Report 2014 Similar to Mobility Tour Report 2014 (20) 1. Facilitator: Professor Douglas Hargreaves
Troy%Cordie% Brock%Lowrey% Elaiza%Luker% Jaden%Partridge% Jillian%Schomberg% Damien%Slinger%
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Queensland University of Technology
Mobility Tour 2014
Singapore, Norway and Sweden
Science and Engineering Faculty
Date: 28th of September - 10th of October
2. QUT$MOBILITY$TOUR$2014$ 2!
Table$of$Contents$
1.0% INTRODUCTION,.........................................................................................................................................,3%
2.0% SINGAPORE,..................................................................................................................................................,4%
2.1,NATIONAL,UNIVERSITY,OF,SINGAPORE,(NUS),................................................................................................,4%
3.0% NORWAY,.......................................................................................................................................................,6%
3.1,UNIVERSITY,OF,AGDER,......................................................................................................................................,6%
3.1.1% AGDER%CAR%MUSEUM%.....................................................................................................................................................%6%
3.1.2% NIGHT%WITH%STUDENT%AMBASSADORS%......................................................................................................................%7%
3.2,MACGREGOR,–,KRISTANSAND,...........................................................................................................................,7%
4.0% SWEDEN,........................................................................................................................................................,8%
4.1,GOTHENBORG,.....................................................................................................................................................,8%
4.1.1% VOLVO%GROUP%TRUCKS%TECHNOLOGY%DEPARTMENT%.............................................................................................%8%
4.1.2% CHALMERS%UNIVERSITY%.................................................................................................................................................%8%
4.2,STOCKHOLM,........................................................................................................................................................,9%
4.2.1% KTH%ROYAL%INSTITUTE%OF%TECHNOLOGY%.................................................................................................................%9%
4.3,CULTURAL,EXPERIENCE,..................................................................................................................................,10%
5.0% STUDENT,STATEMENTS,.......................................................................................................................,11%
5.1,TROY,CORDIE,..................................................................................................................................................,11%
5.2,BROCK,LOWREY,..............................................................................................................................................,12%
5.3,ELAIZA,LUKER,.................................................................................................................................................,13%
5.4,JADEN,PARTRIDGE,...........................................................................................................................................,14%
5.5,JILLIAN,SCHOMBERG,.......................................................................................................................................,15%
5.6,DAMIEN,SLINGER,.............................................................................................................................................,15%
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS,...................................................................................................................................,16%
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3. %
QUT$MOBILITY$TOUR$2014$ 3!
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1.0 Introduction$
On%the%28th%of%September%to%the%10th%of%October%2014,%a%group%of%QUT%students%along%with%Professor%Douglas%
Hargreaves%embarked%on%the%Queensland%University%of%Technology%(QUT)%Mechanical%Engineering%Mobility%
Tour.% The% Mobility% Tour% is% a% two^week% program,% sponsored% by% QUT,% whereby% selected% participants% were%
given% the% opportunity% to% visit% and% network% with% industries% and% universities% in% Singapore,% Sweden% and%
Norway.% This% experience% provided% an% insight% on% the% array% of% research% related% to% Mechanical% Engineering%
undertaken%by%universities%and%industries,%as%well%as%many%cultural%experiences.%%
The% report% herein% details% the% group’s% experiences% and% collective% knowledge% gained% at% each% industry% and%
university% visit.% In% addition% to% this,% cultural% experiences,% along% with% many% highlights,% photographs% and%
individual%accounts%are%also%incorporated.%%
The%2014%QUT%Mobility%tour%was%truly%an%enriching%experience%that%has%broadened%international%perspective,%
cultural%appreciation,%and%knowledge%of%Engineering%and%its%diversity%in%applications.%This%tour%proves%to%be%
particularly% valuable% in% being% exposed% to% other% avenues% of% Engineering% beyond% Australia% as,% often% due% to%
geographical%location,%we%are%isolated%from%many%industries.%%%
%
%
4. QUT$MOBILITY$TOUR$2014$ 4!
2.0 Singapore$
2.1 National!University!of!Singapore!
Upon% our% early% arrival% at% the% NUS% Campus,% we% were% very% lucky% to% meet% some%
researchers%from%a%program%called%SMART%(Singapore^MIT%Alliance%for%Research%and%
Technology)%(Figure%1%and%Figure%2).%In%this%project,%an%autonomous%golf%cart%designed%
to%ferry%people%about%the%local%parks%and%campus%was%being%developed.%This%project%
aims%further%develop%research%into%autonomous%transportation%through%the%practical%
implementation%of%the%golf%carts.%
They% had% two% golf% carts% fitted% with% LIDAR% sensors% and% on^board% computers,% which%
would% navigate,% drive% and% mitigate% any% risks% that% may% arise% such% as% pedestrians% or%
other%vehicles%(Figure%3).%Whilst%we%were%there%they%performed%a%test%of%the%ability%of%
the%two%autonomous%vehicles%collision%avoidance%system%when%they%were%headed%on%
the%same%path.%It%was%a%great%insight%and%it%was%down%to%pure%chance%that%we%were%able%
to%experience%it.%%
Subsequent% to% this,% we% meet% Wendy% at% the% reception% of% the% TUM% CREATE% research%
building.% The% staff% conducted% a% short% presentation% regarding% their% program% and%
various%projects%in%development.%TUM%Create%is%a%joint%research%programme%between%
Technische%Universität%München%(TUM)%and%Nanyang%Technological%University%(NTU)%
which% is% funded% by% Singapore’s% National% Research% Foundation% (NRF).% The% centre% is%
housed% within% NUS% at% NRF’s% Campus% for% Research% Excellence% and% Technological%
Enterprise%(CREATE).%Jan,%a%research%associate%introduced%us%to%their%battery%research%
whilst%Felix%(another%research%associate)%gave%a%brief%introduction%into%the%electrical%
vehicle% research.% We% were% also% introduced% to% Peter,% who% was% a% workshop% manager%
that%supervised%both%the%electrical%vehicle%and%battery%research%laboratories.%%
After%the%introduction%we%headed%down%to%the%battery%laboratory%with%Jan.%Here%they%
were% testing% manufacturer’s% batteries% in% terms% of% how% they% aged% and% their% thermal%
behaviours.%They%also%had%a%large%accelerating%calorimeter%which%could%look%at%heat%
exchange.%Their%research%also%included%the%study%of%battery%failure%by%overheating%or%
penetrative%means%(they%had%an%Instron%behind%two%thick%layers%of%concrete)%(Figure%
4).%The%main%type%of%battery%they%were%testing%was%the%lithium%battery.%Jan%suggested%
that%further%development%of%materials%such%as%lithium^air%batteries%could%have%a%big%
impact%on%the%electric%car%industry.%%As%we%left%Jan%showed%us%a%lithium^polymer%pocket%
battery%about%the%size%of%an%A4%sheet%which%had%a%capacity%of%63Ah.%%
Felix%and%Peter%then%took%us%to%the%electric%car%laboratory.%It%was%here%where%they%had%
designed% an% electric% taxi% for% tropical% megacities% (EVA)% along% with% a% multi^purpose%
scooter%(VOI).%%
EVA% was% the% first% electric% vehicle% specifically% designed% to% be% a% taxi% in% a% tropical%
megacity%such%as%Malaysia%(Figure%5).%The%electric%taxi%featured%super^fast%charging%
through% the% implementation% of% water% cooled% batteries.% It% was% capable% of% getting% a%
realistic% range% of% 200km% off% a% 15% minute% charge% based% on% Singaporean% driving%
patterns% and% conditions.% No% existing% charger% could% handle% the% current% required% to%
charge% the% taxi% that% rapidly,% so% two% chargers% were% required.% The% EVA’s% chassis% and%
interior%was%also%completely%redesigned%to%suit%and%optimise%the%solution.%The%chassis%
was%a%monocoque%made%from%carbon%fibre%reinforced%polymer%(CFRP)%which%resulted%
in% a% lighter% and% more% torsional% rigid% structure% compared% to% steel% or% aluminium%
stamped%panels%(as%well%as%space%frames).%%
Felix% described% the% comprehensive% research% which% was% completed,% looking% at% how%
people%use%the%taxi’s,%where%the%inefficiencies%are%derived%from%and%advantages%and%
disadvantages% of% different% taxi% types.% A% tailor% made% interior% and% electronics% system%
was% also% created% to% revolutionise% the% taxi% and% decrease% energy% wastage.% The%
passenger’s% phone% could% be% paired% to% the% car% using% NFC% where% they% could% control%
cabin%temperature,%music%and%directions.%Overhead%air^conditioning%and%seat%cooling%
reduced%energy%losses%associated%with%over%cooling%the%cabin.%
Figure'1:'TUM-Create'University'
Figure'2:'Group'photograph'with'TUM-
Create'hosts'
Figure'3:'Golf'Cart'fitted'with'LIDAR'sensors'
Figure'4:'Battery'Laboratory'
6. %
QUT$MOBILITY$TOUR$2014$ 6!
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3.0 Norway$
From% the% colourful% Autumn% trees% of% the% forest^filled% mountains% to% the% hospitable%
people% whom% we% were% able% to% meet,% Norway% was% one% of% the% most% beautiful% and%
informative%places%that%we%travelled%to%on%our%tour.%%
While% we% were% there,% we% were% given% the% opportunity% to% visit% both% university% and%
industry.%We%experienced%Norwegian%culture%and%were%very%surprised%to%be%given%a%
private%tour%of%a%billionaire’s%car%collection.%%Many%thanks%must%go%to%Pàl%Grandal%and%
his%team%for%organizing%such%an%amazing%time.%
On%a%side%note:%as%we%arrived,%many%of%us%saw%our%first%Tesla%car%charging%in%the%streets%
outside% our% hotel% (Figure% 8).% It% was% a% good% feeling,% as% future% engineers,% to% see% the%
government% of% Norway% supporting% the% idea% of% environmentally% orientated% electric%
vehicles%–%for%matter%of%fact,%we%heard%that%they%had%waived%all%registration%fees%for%
owners%of%these%vehicles.%%%
3.1 University!of!Agder!
Checking% into% our% warm% cabin^style% hotel,% we% then% put% on% our% winter% jackets% for% a%
chilly%morning%at%one%of%QUT’s%most%highly%regarded%partners,%The%University%of%Agder%
(UiA).%%
Here,%we%learnt%of%the%many%different%applications%of%engineering%that%UiA%contributed%
to%Offshore%Drilling^%mainly,%this%included%heave%compensation%and%offshore%stability.%
We% also% learnt% of% the% many% ways% that% both% UiA% and% Norway% contributed% to% the%
advancements%engineering%within%this%field.%In%doing%so,%we%quickly%learnt%that%Agder%
was%very%proud%to%be%working%so%closely%with%its%neighboring%industries.%
One%of%the%highlights%of%UiA%was%getting%to%see%their%facilities%and%the%many%projects%
that%students%were%working%on%at%the%time.%After%a%short%presentation,%we%were%taken%
to% a% two^story% open% lab,% home% to% a% number% of% these% projects.% Here,% we% were% then%
shown%a%number%of%demonstrations.%%
In%particular,%two%projects%stood%out%from%the%rest.%The%first%one%included%an%industrial%
Crane%that%was%used%many%by%first^years%to%explore%the%difficulties%of%control%feedback%
and%accuracy.%In%order%to%show%these%two%areas,%students%were%asked%to%program%the%
crane%to%draw%a%square%(Figure%9).%The%second%of%these%projects%included%a%massive%
six^axis%stability%platform%that%was%to%be%used%for%safely%transporting%resources%and%
personal%to%and%from%offshore%facilities%in%rough%seas.%%Both%of%these%projects%were%a%
spectacle% of% what% engineering% could% accomplish% and% an% attest% of% UiA% achieve%
excellence.%%%
3.1.1 Agder!Car!Museum!
After% finishing% our% tour% through% Agder% University% we% were% treated% to% a% much%
anticipated%surprise%that%had%been%alluded%to%through%the%afternoon.%We%were%driven%
the%short%distance%to%the%offices%of%a%local%businessman%and%taken%to%his%private%car%
collection%much%to%the%amazement%of%all.%The%basement%of%the%unassuming%building%
was,%what%can%only%be%described%as,%a%tribute%to%all%things%automotive:%cars,%trucks%and%
motorcycles% (Figure% 10).% Housing% cars% from% all% eras% and% across% the% world% from%
Bentley’s%and%Lamborghinis%to%American%pickup%trucks.%Each%of%the%cars%hand%not%only%
been% restored% but% most% are% registered% to% be% driven% each% cars% placard% described% its%
production% history% with% some% describing% the% royal% heritage% of% the% car% its% self.% This%
short%side%trip%was%over%all%too%quickly%as%we%returned%to%the%hotel%and%prepared%for%
dinner%
%
%
%
Figure'10:'Vintage'Cars'in'Agder's'Private'
Car'Museum'
Figure'9:'Mechatronics'Lab'with'heave'
compensation'research'facilities'
Figure'8:'Tesla'car'on'charge'
Figure'7:'Scenery'of'Norway'
7. %
QUT$MOBILITY$TOUR$2014$ 7!
%
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%
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3.1.2 Night!with!Student!Ambassadors!
Later%that%evening,%we%were%again%surprised%by%the%local%hospitality.%While%Professor%
Hargreaves%and%his%wife%were%accompanied%by%Mr%Grandal%to%have%dinner,%the%rest%of%
us% were% introduced% to% a% number% of% local% students% from% UiA% (Figure% 11).% Over% the%
course%of%the%night,%we%were%spoilt%to%a%home^cooked%dinner%–%reindeer%as%the%main%
course;% and% socialized% over% a% variety% of% Norwegian% beer,% red% wine,% and% countless%
games%of%pub^style%shuffleboard.%%
%
%
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3.2 Macgregor!–!Kristansand!!
The% next% morning,% we% travelled% to% Kristansand% to% meet% with% an% offshore% crane%
company,% “Macgregor”.% Here,% we% were% able% to% complement% our% understanding% of%
offshore%drilling%and%get%a%better%appreciation%for%just%how%large%these%designs%were.%
After%a%short%presentation,%we%replaced%our%shoes%with%steel^capped%boots%and%hard%
hats;% and% were% then% taken% across% to% one% of% Macgregor’s% five^story^high% assembly%
workshops.%It%was%interesting%to%see%many%of%the%devices%that%some%of%us%had%used%in%
our%QUT%projects,%but%on%a%much%larger%scale.%%
For% example,% on% the% side% of% a% 210T% crane,% there% were% six% industrial^size% planetary%
gearbox%motors%attached%to%its%main%drum.%As%confirmed%by%our%earlier%understanding,%
this%drum%was%used%for%offshore%heave%compensation%(Figure%12).%
%
%
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Figure'12:'Macgregor'Cranes'Site'
Figure'11:'Home-cooked'dinner'with'
Agder'Student'Ambassadors'
8. %
QUT$MOBILITY$TOUR$2014$ 8!
%
4.0 Sweden$
4.1 Gothenborg!
4.1.1 Volvo!Group!Trucks!Technology!Department!
The% first% stop% in% Gothenburg,% Sweden,% was% the% Volvo% Group% Trucks% Technology%
Department.% The% tour% began% with% a% presentation% on% the% most% recent% advances% in%
technology% that% the% company% had% made,% the% personnel% that% Volvo% hires% and% the%
different%fields%of%research%that%they%are%currently%involved%in.%After%this%introduction%
we% were% permitted% to% tour% the% facility% so% long% as% we% took% no% photos,% and% we% soon%
learned%that%any%designs%or%prototypes%that%had%not%been%made%public%by%the%company%
were%hidden%very%well%by%tarps.%%
The%tour%began%in%the%testing%facility,%where%possible%new%hybrid%and%electric%motor%
designs%were%simulated%and%then%tested%with%a%prototype.%Within%this%lab,%the%motors%
weren't%only%tested%to%see%if%they%ran%but%also%to%what%conditions%they%could%withstand%
in%respect%to%temperature,%speed,%torque%and%force.%The%second%stop%on%the%tour%was%
the% exhaust% labs.% Experiments% were% performed% in% this% laboratory% by% simulating% the%
possible%exhaust%and%the%percentages%of%the%different%subunits%contained%then%mixing%
those%quantities%into%a%resin,%the%solidified%resin%would%then%be%put%into%a%chamber%to%
test% the% combustion% of% the% simulated% exhaust.% Our% third% and% final% stop% was% to% the%
battery% lab% where% the% lifespan,% failure% temperatures,% and% power% consumption% at%
failure% would% be% tested,% as% well% as% the% amount% of% batteries% required% for% a% certain%
project%as%well%as%the%type%of%battery%would%be%determined.%%
The%opportunity%to%visit%the%Volvo%testing%facility%was%a%great%learning%experience%as%to%
how%a%company%will%approach%the%problems%within%their%industry%that%are%relevant%to%
societies% needs% and% economics.% This% was% seen% in% the% battery% lab% testing% and% its%
importance%due%to%the%necessity%of%manufacturers%to%design%hybrid%and%fully%electric%
cars%as%the%world's%oil%resources%are%depleting.%%
As%students%with%a%curiosity%for%the%automotive%industry,%being%able%to%experience%a%
real% world% company% approaching% real% world% problems% using% different% technologies%
and% branches% of% engineering% knowledge% was% something% that% without% this% tour% we%
likely%would%never%have%seen.%%
%
4.1.2 Chalmers!University!
After% a% lunch% in% the% Volvo% cafeteria,% the% tour% continued% at% the% Chalmers% University%
campus%which%was%just%down%the%road.%We%visited%the%automotive%club,%had%a%tour%of%
the%masters%and%PhD%student%projects,%and%finished%the%afternoon%by%a%discussion%of%
the%similarities%and%differences%of%teaching%styles%and%university%facilities%over%coffee%
and%cinnamon%buns.%%
Meeting%with%the%automotive%team%and%discussing%their%previous%designs%with%respect%
to% both% aerodynamics% of% the% vehicle% and% the% motor% design% (Figure% 14),% was% very%
informative%and%extremely%exciting%for%those%of%us%who%follow%the%Formula%Student%
competitions.%Being%able%to%explore%the%facilities%open%to%the%students%at%Chalmers%was%
also%extremely%interesting;%these%facilities%included%a%fully%equipped%workshop%for%the%
students%participating%in%the%automotive%masters%program,%an%engine%simulation%and%
testing%room%outfitted%with%a%shock%absorbent%floor%to%compensate%for%the%vibrations%
in%the%testing%rig,%a%laser%laboratory%and%3D%lecture%theatres.%%
It%was%also%extremely%interesting%just%listening%to%the%staff%at%Chalmers%discussing%the%
different%programs%that%they%offer%in%the%masters%and%PhD%programs,%and%from%those%
discussions% many% of% the% students% on% the% tour% are% now% seriously% considering%
completing%a%master's%program%overseas.%Due%to%our%geographic%separation%from%the%
rest%of%the%world,%programs%such%as%Chalmers%offer%are%not%usually%offered%in%Australia%
Figure'13:'Volvo'Group'Trucks'
Technology'office'and'site'
Figure'14:'Vehicles'designed'for'Formula'
Student'Competitions'
9. %
QUT$MOBILITY$TOUR$2014$ 9!
%
due%to%the%lack%of%those%industries%presence%in%Australia,%and%so%being%able%to%see%what%
the%rest%of%the%world%can%offer%has%intrigued%us%to%see%more%of%it.%%
4.2 Stockholm!
Stockholm,% a% city% filled% with% phenomenal% architecture,% historic% landmarks% and%
picturesque% attractions,% left% us% all% in% awe% as% we% wandered% the% riverside% and%
cobblestoned%streets%of%the%charming%city%of%archipelagos%surrounded%by%the%Baltic%Sea%
and%Lake%Mälaren.%During%the%tour,%%the%group%was%very%fortunate%to%have%two%days%to%
roam%and%explore%Stockholm,%as%well%as%visit%and%see%the%facilities%of%KTH%University,%
Malarden% University% and% Bombardier% –% Västerås.% These% opportunities% allowed% the%
group%to%be%academically,%socially%and%culturally%enriched.%%
%
4.2.1 KTH!Royal!Institute!of!Technology!
During%the%group’s%visit%at%KTH%University,%we%were%given%an%overview%of%the%Turbo%
Machinery% Aeromechanical% University% Training% that% is% part% of% KTH% University’s%
Master’s% Program.% This% program% is% run% in% partnership% with% several% European%
universities% and% lead% by% KTH,% it% offers% a% double% degree% and% ensures% international%
relevance.% The% presentation% included% the% concepts% of% Turbo% machinery,% including%
some% of% its% major% applications% in% electrical% production,% the% aviation% industry% and%
turbines.%%With%a%focus%on%aeromechanics%on%improving%the%economic%and%operational%
efficiency,% students% are% trained% and% equipped% to% apply% their% knowledge% with% very%
impressive%facilities%and%turbo%machinery%resources%present%at%KTH,%which%we%were%
fortunate%to%view%during%a%comprehensive%tour.%
It%was%interesting%to%learn%more%about%turbo%machinery%as%it%provides%great%relevance%
in% the% modern% world,% especially% in% developing% environmentally% sustainable%
Engineering%innovations.%%
Subsequent%to%this,%we%were%then%given%the%opportunity%to%speak%to%KTH’s%FSAE%team,%
which% was% interesting% to% hear% about% their% different% approach% in% design% for% the%
competition.% The% development% in% design% looked% very% promising% and% it% was% good% to%
hear% that% automotive% industries% are% pushing% for% electric% vehicles,% enabling% Formula%
Students% from% different% Universities% to% be% continually% challenged% as% they% enter% a%
different%realm%of%competition.%%
% %
Figure'15:'KTH'Formula'vehicle'under'
development'
10. %
QUT$MOBILITY$TOUR$2014$ 10!
%
4.3 Cultural!Experience!
The%group%was%very%fortunate%to%have%two%days%to%experience%the%city,%and%on%our%first%
day%we%roamed%Gamlastan%(the%old%town),%where%an%array%of%quaint%cafes,%shops%and%
the%royal%palace,%were%situated.%We%later%hired%bicycles%to%explore%the%city%further%and%
we%were%able%to%reach%across%the%bridge%to%another%area%of%the%city,%where%we%visited%
parks%and%enjoyed%the%relaxing,%scenic%and%breezy%ambience.%%
As% part% of% our% tour,% we% visited% the% Vasa% Museum,% which% showcased% the% only% 17th%
Century% warship% preserved% worldwide.% % It% was% magnificent,% with% its% hand–crafted%
carvings%resembling%historic%and%royal%links.%This%proved%to%be%a%very%informative%visit%
as%we%gained%some%knowledge%on%Swedish%history%through%exhibitions%at%the%museum.%
One%of%the%showcases%presented%the%process%of%retrieving%and%restoring%the%ship%close%
to% its% original% grandeur% 333% years% after% it% had% sank% in% 1628% due% to% its% weight%
distribution%and%narrow%base.%%
Later% in% the% evening,% Swedish% dinner% was% on% the% menu% at% a% very% unique% medieval%
themed%restaurant%kindled%only%by%candlelight.%The%group%enjoyed%Swedish%meatballs%
with% Lingonberries% on% the% side,% in% addition% to% good% company% and% conversations.%
Subsequent%to%this,%we%wandered%briefly%to%see%a%whole%different%Stockholm,%with%a%
transformed%atmosphere%amidst%the%evening%under%a%mast%of%dark%skies%and%dim%lights%
shining%upon%%grand%architecture,%cobblestoned%streets%and%reflected%on%the%waters.%
Stockholm%was%such%a%wonderful%place%to%roam%and%through%our%experiences%we%were%
able%to%learn%and%understand%more%of%its%culture%and%history.%It%is%opportunities%like%
these%that%allow%us,%as%students,%to%realize%the%relevance%of%cultural%awareness%in%order%
to% develop% a% holistic% understanding% and% appreciation% of% social% conventions% that% is%
essential% in% personal% and% professional% interactions% and% affairs,% especially% in% the%
competitive%Engineering%workforce.%
% %
Figure'16:'Model'of'the'VASA's'original'
grandeur'
Figure'17:'Bicycle'adventure'on'the'
streets'of'Stockholm'
11. %
QUT$MOBILITY$TOUR$2014$ 11!
%
5.0 Student$Statements$
5.1 Troy!Cordie!
During%the%second%semester%of%2014%I%was%selected%to%participate%in%the%Short%Term%
Mobility% tour% to% Singapore,% Norway% and% Sweden.% This% opportunity% exposed% me% to%
cutting% edge% engineering% from% the% view% of% both% academia% and% industry,% raising% my%
awareness%of%future%opportunities%outside%Australia.%
My%eyes%have%been%opened%to%industry%that%is%either%underrepresented%in%Australia%or%
completely% absent% from% local% industry.% I% was% excited% to% see% the% research% into% both%
renewables% and% battery% storage% technology.% % TUM% Create% in% Singapore% having%
designed% and% manufactured% the% EVA% electric% taxi% designed% for% Tropical% Megacities,%
incorporates% fast% battery% charging% and% innovative% power% saving% technologies.% The%
push% to% move% away% from% fossil% fuels% was% evident% at% Volvo% trucks% research% and%
development%department%with%electric%and%hybrid%drive%trains%making%up%large%parts%
of%their%current%work.%Similar%pressures%have%seen%the%Formula%SAE%teams%at%Chalmers%
University% of% Technology% and% KTH% Royal% Institute% of% Technology% begin% swap% petrol%
motors% for% electric.% KHT% in% Stockholm% also% provided% and% excellent% introduction% to%
turbo%machinery%working%on%advancement%in%both%large%scale%power%generation%and%
investigation%in%to%domestic%use%of%turbines.%
All% of% this% with% the% back% drop% of% mechatronic% engineering% principles% being%
implemented% from% the% small% scale% to% the% massive.% With% the% later% evident% in% the%
offshore%oil%industry%in%the%south%of%Norway%where%fine%control%of%heavy%equipment%
enables%work%to%continue%when%seas%become%larger.%This%was%on%display%in%both%the%
student%projects%at%Agder%University%and%the%massive%offshore%cranes%being%produced%
at%McGregor.%Where%we%were%given%insights%in%to%both%the%design%and%manufacturing%
of%some%of%the%world’s%biggest%cranes,%operating%on%ships%with%centimetre%accuracy%in%
large%seas%and%water%depths%into%multiple%kilometres.%It%was%also%exciting%to%see%some%
of%the%process%behind%the%automatic%braking%that%is%being%incorporated%into%new%Volvo%
trucks.%%
The% chance% to% see% firsthand% the% manufacturing% process% undertaken% by% two% very%
different%industries.%McGregor%in%Kristiansand%put%on%show%the%fabrication%of%massive%
cranes%for%use%in%the%off%shore%industry,%with%crane%booms%and%towering%drums.%To%the%
more%systematic%process%seen%at%Bombardier%in%Vasteras%where%teams%of%people%build%
the% power% supply% units% for% trains% throughout% the% world.% Both% showing% the% world%
leading%technology%is%not%always%produced%in%automated%factories.%
This% was% also% an% excellent% opportunity% for% cultural% engagement% while% on% the% tour%
during%both%our%free%time%and%in%our%interactions.%In%Singapore%we%took%in%the%sights%of%
marina%bay%with%the%day%finishing%with%dinner%on%the%river%tasting%local%food.%Moving%
on%to%Norway%saw%a%group%of%students%from%Agder%University%prepare%dinner%for%us%
and%take%us%for%a%game%of%shuffleboard.%At%Malarden%University%we%were%invited%to%a%
monthly%presentation%of%projects%being%undertaken%by%the%university.%These%included%
collaborations% with% industry% national% government% and% the% European% Union.% The%
experiences% continues% with% a% day% of% sightseeing% and% museum% visits% in% picturesque%
Stockholm.%
This% tour% has% shown% me% just% how% transportable% the% skills% I% am% learning% as% an%
engineering% student% are% within% different% industry’s% and% internationally.% My% interest%
has%been%sparked%to%explore%options%both%during%my%degree%and%afterwards%to%gain%
further% experience% internationally.% The% mobility% tour% was% a% wonderful% opportunity%
and%I%would%highly%recommend%it%to%any%student%with%a%keen%interest%in%broadening%
their%knowledge%of%engineering%outside%of%Australia.%
% %
12. %
QUT$MOBILITY$TOUR$2014$ 12!
%
5.2 Brock!Lowrey!
Being% given% the% opportunity% to% participate% in% this% QUT% Mobility% Tour% to%
Singapore,%Norway,%and%Sweden%was%an%incredible%experience,%and%definitely%
the%highlight%of%my%time%at%university%so%far.%%
Aside% from% the% sweltering% temperatures% and% at% least% 18% hours% spent% in% the%
airport,%I%thoroughly%enjoyed%our%time%in%Singapore.%After%visiting%CREATE,%an%
international%research%collaboration%established%by%the%National%University%of%
Singapore%–%and%even%just%walking%around%the%city,%it%became%evident%that%the%
Singaporean% people% greatly% value% education,% research,% and% being% at% the%
forefront%of%their%given%field.%Specifically,%it%was%fantastic%to%be%able%to%visit%the%
TUM^CREATE%battery%labs%and%see%the%electric%taxi%they%have%developed%–%and%
furthermore% to% see% how% the% cutting% edge% research% into% battery% and% electric%
technology%sure%to%revolutionise%the%automotive%industry%is%progressing.%%
The%visit%to%Agder%University%in%Grimstad%was%my%first%taste%of%Scandinavia%–%
and%I%must%admit%I%was%thoroughly%impressed.%Whilst%being%quite%small,%the%
campus%felt%homely,%and%seemed%like%it%would%be%the%perfect%environment%for%
teaching% and% learning.% The% industry% visit% to% MacGregor% Cranes,% and% the%
projects%and%labs%we%were%shown%provided%great%insight%into%the%workings%of%
the%Norwegian%Oil%and%Gas%industry.%As%well%as%the%official%visits,%what%made%
our%short%time%in%Norway%so%great%was%that%our%guides%managed%to%find%the%
perfect%balance%of%engineering%related%and%social%activities.%On%the%first%night,%
all%6%of%us%students%were%treated%to%a%traditional%home^cooked%meal%by%some%of%
the%students%at%the%university,%and%I%can%add%reindeer%to%the%list%of%game%meat%I%
have%tried.%During%this%direct%and%casual%immersion%with%local%students,%a%lot%
was% learnt% about% their% culture,% education% and% employment% prospects,% and% I%
found%this%side%of%our%time%in%Norway%to%be%the%most%valuable.%%
From%Norway,%it%was%on%to%Gothenburg%in%Sweden.%Before%leaving%for%the%tour,%
I%was%particularly%keen%for%our%visit%to%Volvo.%Whilst%I%was%expecting%to%see%the%
assembly%line,%it%was%just%as%informative%seeing%the%research%being%carried%out%
in%their%Group%Trucks%Technology%department.%Being%a%3rd%year%student,%I%had%
completed%thermodynamics%and%some%assignments%in%the%engine%laboratories,%
and%it%was%interesting%to%see%Volvo%on%the%other%side%of%the%world%carrying%out%
similar%engine%emissions%research%and%developing%the%same%technology%as%at%
home%here%at%QUT.%From%Volvo,%we%visited%Chalmers%University%of%Technology,%
just%down%the%road.%Chalmers%have%an%incredibly%good%FSAE%team,%and%it%was%a%
privilege% being% able% to% see% the% cars% they% had% developed% over% the% years,% and%
their%ideas%and%plans%for%the%future.%After%seeing%the%emphasis%that%Chalmers%
placed%on%their%automotive%engineering%program,%and%their%apparent%passion%
for%the%industry,%I%have%seriously%considered%pursuing%a%Masters%in%Automotive%
Engineering% as% a% gateway% to% employment% at% large% European% car% companies%
such%as%Mercedes,%BMW,%and%Porsche.%
Upon%arrival%in%Stockholm,%we%were%given%almost%2%whole%days%to%explore%the%
city,%which%involved%doing%as%the%locals%do,%and%hiring%bikes%to%ride%around%and%
visit%some%of%the%cultural%attractions.%This%included%visiting%the%Gamlastan%(Old%
Town),%Vasa%Museum,%and%the%Royal%Palace.%The%layout%of%the%city,%especially%
its%archipelago%of%islands%and%phenomenal%architecture%is%markedly%different%
to%anything%I%have%ever%seen%before,%and%coupled%with%the%climate%and%friendly%
people,%contributed%to%the%city%having%an%incredible%feel.%%Whilst%in%Stockholm,%
we%also%visited%KTH%and%their%turbomachinery%department,%and%took%a%train%
out%to%Vasteras%and%Eskilstuna,%where%we%visited%Bombardier,%and%Malardalen%
University.%It%was%surprising%to%see%the%lack%of%automation%at%Bombardier,%but%
this%opened%my%eyes%to%how%some%assembly%lines%might%actually%operate%in%the%
13. %
QUT$MOBILITY$TOUR$2014$ 13!
%
real% world% –% as% opposed% to% the% flash% robots,% polished% floors% and% automated%
equipment%we%have%seen%in%classes%and%on%shows%such%as%Mega%factories.%
Unfortunately%due%to%our%relative%isolation%on%a%world%map,%many%mechanical%
engineering%students%in%Australia%are%generally%only%exposed%to%or%even%only%
aware%of%our%local%industries%–%and%most%students%expect%to%find%work%in%the%
mining% industry.% Exposure% to% the% employment% and% study% opportunities%
available%overseas%has%provided%me%with%invaluable%knowledge%and%inspired%
me%to%pursue%a%career%involving%international%travel.%I%would%highly%encourage%
participation%in%a%similar%tour%to%future%students,%and%furthermore,%encourage%
QUT%to%continue%supporting%these%international%experiences%for%students.%%
%
5.3 Elaiza!Luker!
It%was%such%a%privilege%to%be%part%of%the%2014,%QUT%Engineering%Mobility%Tour%
as% it% encompassed% many% aspects% of% academic,% international% exposure% and%
cultural%immersion.%As%a%student%seeking%to%develop%a%global%career,%the%tour%
provided%a%wonderful%opportunity%to%network%with%industry%and%universities,%
and%most%importantly,%gain%a%greater%insight%on%various%industries%that,%often,%
Australia%is%isolated%from.%It%was%an%ideal%platform%for%experiential%learning,%
which% has% sculpted% a% greater% awareness% of% the% diversity% and% dynamic%
developments%of%Engineering.%Having%the%opportunity%to%visit%different%places%
and% be% exposed% to% many% avenues% of% Engineering% was% culturally% and%
academically%enlightening.%%
In% Singapore,% the% TUM^CREATE% battery% labs% presented% the% progression% of%
electric%technology,%especially%in%the%automotive%industry.%Meanwhile,%Agder%
University%had%a%focus%on%marine%applications,%and%a%subsequent%industry%visit%
to% Macgregor% Cranes% allowed% us% to% gain% further% insight% on% the% oil% and% gas%
industry% of% Norway.% Moving% on% to% Sweden,% the% opportunity% to% learn% more%
about% the% Trucks% Technology% Department% in% Volvo,% Gothenburg% and% visit%
Chalmers%University%was%very%interesting%as%we%also%had%the%chance%to%meet%
their%very%successful%FSAE%team.%Particular%highlights%of%Stockholm,%home%to%
KTH% Royal% Institute% of% Technology,% Malardalen% University% and% Bombardier,%
was%having%the%opportunity%to%view%the%turbo%machinery%facilities%in%KTH%and%
getting%a%glimpse%of%Bombardier’s%assembly%line.%
In% visiting% Singapore,% Norway% and% Sweden% our% experiences% weren’t% just%
limited%to%expanding%our%insights%of%Engineering%innovations%and%international%
research.%We%were%also%able%to%experience%beautifully%unique%scenery,%culture,%
food%and%meet%very%hospitable%people%along%the%way,%which%I%believe%was%a%
valuable% aspect% of% this% tour.% The% dynamic% streets% of% Singapore,% homely%
ambience%of%Grimstad,%Norway,%to%the%breathtaking%architecture%of%new%and%
old% Stockholm;% visiting% these% places% and% experiencing% a% little% bit% of% what%
encompasses%their%cultures%has%left%a%mark%of%memories%and%greater%cultural%
appreciation%for%many,%if%not%all,%of%us.%%
This% tour% has% provided% me% with% invaluable% experiences% and% allowed% me% to%
develop%a%more%global%perspective%of%Engineering.%Hence%why%I%am%so%humbled%
to% have% had% this% opportunity% as% an% undergraduate,% as% it% has% truly% been% a%
highlight% of% my% University% experience.% In% saying% this,% I% have% the% QUT% SEF%
International% and% Engagement% team% and% Professor% Doug% Hargreaves% to%
express%my%sincerest%gratitude%to.%%
%% %
14. %
QUT$MOBILITY$TOUR$2014$ 14!
%
%
5.4 Jaden!Partridge!
This%year%I%was%fortunate%enough%to%join%Doug%Hargreaves%and%five%other%students%on%
the%Mobility%Tour%to%Norway,%Sweden%and%Singapore.%%
The% mobility% tour% gave% me% exposure% to% many% industries% that% are% not% prevalent% or%
existent%in%Australia.%%Learning%about%these%industries%unique%engineering%problems%
and%solutions%was%extremely%enriching.%I%hope%that%this%diversity%and%exposure%will%aid%
me%in%solving%engineering%problems%not%only%during%the%continuation%of%my%degree,%
but%also%into%my%career.%Along%with%the%diversity%of%industries%experienced,%I%believe%
the% mobility% tour% has% also% widened% my% cultural% awareness% and% understanding.% This%
has%been%my%first%trip%to%Europe,%and%the%time%spent%in%Norway%and%Sweden%has%given%
me%some%insight%into%the%level%of%industry%and%university%educational%opportunities.%%
The% diversity% and% exposure% has% given% me% more% confidence% in% preparing% for% my%
prospective%exchange%to%a%QUT%partner%university.%My%goal%is%to%one%day%work%in%the%
motorsport% or% automotive% industry,% two% industries% which% are% less% prominent% in%
Australia.%I%understand%that%to%secure%a%position%in%these%industries,%I%will%most%likely%
have% to% work% overseas.% The% confidence% the% mobility% tour% has% given% me% in% overseas%
travel%will%prove%essential%to%me%in%the%future.%%
The%2014%Mobility%Tour%was%a%wonderful%opportunity%to%network%with%professionals%
and%students%studying%overseas.%Two%of%the%highlights%on%the%trip%for%me%was%meeting%
with%KTH%and%Chalmers%Formula%Student%teams.%The%Formula%Student%cars%are%built%to%
a% global% rulebook,% therefore,% I% could% relate% to% how% Swedish% students% envisage% the%
solution% to% a% shared% brief% that% we% build% our% cars% to% at% QUT.% Observing% their% team%
structure,% facilities,% current% and% previous% cars% was% extremely% interesting.% I% was%
particularly% interested% in% Chalmers% University’s% car% due% to% QUT% Motorsports% recent%
switch% to% a% monocoque% chassis.% I% had% the% opportunity% to% talk% to% their% chassis% team%
leader% into% the% manufacturing% methods% involved% with% their% aluminium% honeycomb%
with%carbon%fibre%skin%chassis.%I%believe%this%networking%and%collaboration%between%
other% students/teams% undertaking% the% same% challenge% is% essential% for% the% learning%
experience%of%the%competition.%
From%standing%at%the%base%of%a%massive%offshore%Macgregor%crane%to%the%meeting%room%
of%Volvo%Trucks%R&D,%seeing%factories%and%research%centres%in%the%flesh%demonstrated%
to% me% the% impact% engineers% have% globally,% whilst% further% motivating% me% towards%
realising% my% aspirations% of% becoming% an% engineer.% I% cannot% thank% the% faculties% and%
persons%involved%in%the%organisation%and%funding%of%the%mobility%tour%enough%for%this%
invaluable%experience.%I%would%also%like%to%specifically%thank%Doug%Hargreaves%for%his%
commitment%to%the%tour.%From%his%organisation%throughout%the%tour,%to%the%time%spent%
sharing%his%wealth%of%knowledge%in%the%field%of%engineering.%This%trip%has%reinforced%
my%commitment%to%the%engineering%field%and%my%studies%at%QUT.%
%
% %
15. %
QUT$MOBILITY$TOUR$2014$ 15!
%
5.5 Jillian!Schomberg!
Before% this% tour% I% had% never% travelled% overseas% for% study,% and% I% was% extremely%
interested%in%the%different%approaches%that%each%countries%universities%and%businesses%
were%taking%when%applied%to%sustainable%and%safer%transport%as%well%as%advances%in%
technologies%in%those%fields.%%
Whilst%I%had%always%been%interested%in%the%automotive%industry%before%this%tour,%I%had%
never%really%understood%the%depth%to%which%seemingly%minor%topics%could%be%pursued%
to% improve% the% overall% performance% of% a% vehicle.% I% found% Singapore% particularly%
interesting%as%our%visit%to%TUM^CREATE%introduced%me%to%a%battery%lab,%and%the%ways%
in%which%their%research%was%used%and%adapted%to%develop%an%electric%taxi.%Gothenburg%
also% intrigued% me% as% the% advances% that% Volvo% was% making% in% their% Group% Trucks%
Technology%department%in%the%way%of%battery%power,%decreasing%emissions%and%safer%
driving% technologies% were% extremely% exciting.% The% days% that% we% spent% in% Stockholm%
were%also%very%informative,%and%it%was%at%Bombardier%that%I%learned%not%all%assembly%
lines%are%shiny%machines.%Whilst%participating%on%this%tour%I%was%impressed%by%not%only%
the% research% companies% and% universities% passion% for% searching% for% a% solution% to%
sustainable% transport% but% also% the% support% and% funding% given% to% them% by% the%
government.%%
Of%all%the%events%that%I%have%participated%in%at%university%this%tour%has%by%far%been%the%
most% exciting,% informative% and% memorable.% Due% to% Australia's% remoteness% from% the%
rest%of%the%world%and%its%industries,%it%would%have%been%almost%impossible%for%me%to%
learn%of%and%visit%the%countries%and%corporations%of%automotive%growth%and%research.%
It%was%an%experience%for%which%I%am%extremely%grateful%and%has%opened%the%prospects%
for%me%to%complete%further%study%overseas%and%possibly%pursue%a%career.%%
%
5.6 Damien!Slinger$
It%is%surprising%just%how%little%time%we%had%spent%overseas%when%compared%with%the%
enormous%amount%of%experiences%that%we%gained%while%participating%on%this%Mobility%
tour.%Having%never%travelled%overseas,%this%tour%was%an%opportunity%for%me%to%explore%
Engineering%through%a%global%perspective%and%see%the%many%different%possibilities%of%
where%it%may%take%me%in%my%future.%
Over%the%course%of%just%ten%days,%I%believe%I%was%able%to%enrich%my%studies%by%gaining%
valuable%insight%into%engineering%on%a%global%perspective.%Through%this,%I%now%am%able%
to%better%relate%what%I%have%been%learning%in%my%studies%with%their%application%in%the%
“real%world”.%%
We%visited%many%different%companies%and%several%different%universities;%I%made%many%
new%connections%and%many%new%friends.%And%while%it%may%be%hard%to%name%a%single%
event%as%being%the%most%memorable,%there%were%many%events%that%I%will%never%forget.%%
In%regards%to%the%academic%side%of%the%tour,%I%particularly%enjoyed%learning%about%both%
heave% compensation% and% turbomachinery.% % While% my% current% studies% have% yet% to%
encompass%these%areas,%I%found%it%quite%interesting%to%see%the%many%different%ways%that%
engineers%across%the%world%take%on%these%challenges.%
On%the%more%social%aspects%of%the%tour,%I%loved%having%the%opportunity%to%socialize%for%a%
night%with%a%number%of%current%Agder%students.%This%was%an%opportunity%to%experience%
Norwegian% culture% –% identifying% both% the% similarities% and% differences% between% our%
communities%and%lifestyles.%I%also%thoroughly%enjoyed%making%many%new%networks%and%
connections%across%the%world.%%
Overall,%I%cannot%thank%QUT%enough%^%especially%Professor%Doug%Hargreaves%^%for%the%
countless%opportunities,%insights%and%experiences%this%tour%has%given%me.%I%can%safely%
say%that%I%will%treasure%each%and%every%one%of%these%throughout%my%degree%and%into%my%
future%career.%Engineering,%here%I%come!%
