BorgWarner researcher now at the cutting-edge
Wed, 13 Feb 2013 14:19:00 GMT
Katy moves from pure physics to cutting-edge of engineering
KATY Gannon is harnessing scientific expertise earned during university study to Masters degree level in order to help a multi-national company improve its products. But a post as Knowledge Transfer Partnership associate with global giant BorgWarner at its plant near Bradford has been a major learning experience for her too.
Katy has added greatly to her raft of skills and knowledge. Her supervisor at BorgWarner is the factory’s Head of Simulations, Dr Kiumars Shoghi – who studied for his PhD at the University of Huddersfield – and he has ensured that Katy’s KTP post has included the extra training she needs to move from the world of pure physics to the cutting-edge of engineering.
For example, Katy has been using facilities such as electron-microscopes at the University of Huddersfield – where her KTP academic supervisor is Professor Sue Kilcoyne – to analyse the materials used for the turbine housings of turbochargers produced by BorgWarner.
But her before work in the lab she has had to learn technical skills in order to prepare metallic samples for analysis. And the transition from materials science to metallurgy and engineering suits her down to the ground.
“When I did my physics degree, a part of me regretted not doing engineering, so I was extremely happy to shift to this role,” said Katy.
Turbocharger technology
The BorgWarner KTP – which began in November 2011 and runs until April 2014 – is designed to investigate improvements that can be made to materials used for the turbine housings of company’s gas-driven turbochargers, fitted to large vehicles.
These housings are subject to high temperatures and immense stresses caused by vibration. By making improvements to the materials currently used – principally cast iron – or by investigating new materials, the failure rate of turbochargers can be minimised, leading to economic gains for the company.
Not only has Katy been using University of Huddersfield facilities for her investigation, but she will also participate in the groundbreaking use of a neutron diffraction source in Grenoble, France. She has already visited this facility with Professor Kilcoyne, whom she first worked with while studying for her MPhys integrated physics masters degree at Salford University.
Katy is from Oldham and after completing her degree she worked as a department manager for a retail store for several months before jumping at the chance to apply for the BorgWarner KTP. It was a dream opportunity to move into the field of engineering, and Katy hopes that more women will follow her example.
Stemming from the KTP, she is working towards a PhD and aiming for Chartered Engineer status.
Her BorgWarner supervisor, Dr Shoghi, has close ties with the University of Huddersfield, supervising PhD students and making plans to teach turbocharger technology. He is delighted with the progress so far of the KTP, which is achieving outstanding results, he says.
The University of Huddersfield recently won the award of the Entrepreneurial University of the Year for 2012.
