Now working as a validation engineer, Tom proposed a power generator for downsized engines which could improve the efficiency of a hybrid car by as much as 25 per cent. The device, driven by exhaust gas, could generate enough power to top up the charge of a hybrid car’s battery or drive ancillaries like coolant and fuel pumps. Tom will now start a six-month work experience journey with award sponsors including Jaguar Land Rover, McLaren Automotive, Nissan, Toyota, Honda and Horiba MIRA.
“It is an honour to be announced as the winner of the Autocar-Courland Next Generation Award 2017,” said Tom, who studied mechanical engineering at Teeside. “It has been a fantastic experience – from the intense judging process to the mentoring programme.”
“It’s extremely exciting to have won the internship rotation and to be able to experience everything over 6 months right at the beginning rather than over the space of 20 years, it's an incredible opportunity.”
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Two other finalists were recognised for their proposals, aimed at improving vehicle performance and the sustainability of the motoring network. Jack Levy, a mechanical engineering student at Cardiff University, submitted a plan to introduce a network of contactless charging roads on UK motorways to reduce EV range anxiety. Elsewhere, Stephen Crossley, an automotive engineering student at Oxford Brookes University, set out to improve handling, traction, cornering ability and tyre wear rate by altering the camber based on a driver’s requirements.
“The Next Generation Award enters its ninth year of success, during which time we have seen a host of talent flourish under its banner and go on to notable success in the global automotive industry,” said Martin Bohling, global managing partner at Courland Automotive.
“From the finalists we have seen this year, 2017 will be no different. All of the judges on our panel look forward to this time of year and the opportunity to celebrate once again the undoubted talent the UK automotive industry has to offer.”
Applications for the 2018 Autocar-Courland Next Generation Award will open early next year. More information can be found here.
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