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Placement students make a positive impact

Placement students make a positive impact


The Materials Processing Institute is committed to supporting university students and giving them the opportunity to apply knowledge learnt to real scientific based research.

Four students are currently benefitting from placements at the Institute.

George Gibbings is studying Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bristol. Benedict Wesson is studying for his Masters Degree in Physics at the University of Sheffield. Mike Imber is studying Engineering at Durham University. Darren Jefferson is studying Mechanical Engineering at Teesside University

During their time working at the institute the students have been able to get involved in a wide range of science and research based activities to support commercial projects including:

  • Oxygen furnace thermodynamic modelling
  • Quality management
  • Chemical analysis
  • Metal recovery projects
  • Basic oxygen steelmaking vessel and audiometer controls
  • Shape analysis of bloom samples
  • Techniques to allow more cost effective production of low carbon high alloy steels
  • Fluid mechanics and thermodynamics research
  • Preparation of metallurgical samples
  • Steel analysis with the aid of optical microscopy

The experience gained from this time in industry helps the students to develop their analytical skills and learn more about how to use these skills in real life applications. It has also given them the opportunity to develop new skills to take back and apply to their ongoing studies and has helped prepare them for projects they will be involved in throughout their careers.

Darren Jefferson who has just completed his end of placement report commented:

"I have been given the opportunity to develop material properties analysis which is part of my degree and it has been really enjoyable to work with and learn new skills from the research teams. This experience will definitely benefit me in my studies. I've had a great time here".

7 August 2015