Alumni News
Brunel alumnus cherry-picked for Queen’s Awards
Roger Bowden, a Brune
l alumnus and honorary graduate of the University, has won two Queen’s Awards: one for International Trade and one for Innovation.
The awards were made to his company, Niftylift, one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of mobile elevating work platforms, often referred to as “cherry pickers.” He founded the company only six years after graduating from Brunel University in 1971 with a degree in mechanical engineering.
Roger received an honorary degree of Doctor of Technology in 2006 from Brunel and has for the past five years been sponsoring Made in Brunel, the engineering and design student end of year show. The company also sponsors the Niftylift Design Studio.
Not only does his company provide placements for students, but he has recruited Brunel graduates and actively encourages his staff to pursue postgraduate degrees. He provides business mentoring for Brunel students and is a supporter of the Urban Scholars programme.
Vice Chancellor Julia Buckingham said, “We are very proud to have Roger among our alumni. He is a great friend of the University and his company is excellent example of the success that can be achieved through talent, innovation and hard work. We congratulate him on his two Queen’s Awards.”
2013 Telephone Campaign
Plans are now well underway for our annual telephone campaign which we will be running from Monday 3rd June through to Saturday 29th June. A team of 40 current students will be calling a selection of Brunel alumni to share news of recent developments here at the University, let you know about forthcoming events, share our vision for the future and invite you to support the Brunel Scholarships Fund. We are currently recruiting our team and are really looking forward to the start of what we hope will be another very successful campaign. If you would like to talk to one of our student callers please get in contact alison.russell@brunel.ac.uk.
Find the right graduate to boost your business
Could your organisation benefit from the energy, skills and ideas of a graduate? There are several ways that Brunel can help.
Our Summer Graduate Recruitment Fair takes place in May and is a great opportunity for you to recruit a graduate to your business or organisation, by meeting a number of potential candidates face-to-face. The fair is open to graduates from all UK universities, as well as Brunel graduates. Find out more here
You can also directly advertise vacancies to Brunel students and fellow alumni using our free job vacancy or placement service. In doing so, you will also be supporting your university community by providing our graduates with much-needed industry or other work-based experience and employment opportunities. More information is available here.
Finally, why not join our LinkedIn group and start networking with our alumni? We have a special sub-group where you can publicise your job vacancies. Or you can take part in a range of discussions that could lead you to that ideal candidate. With over 5,800 members in our group, you will have access to a vast amount of potential and experience. Join now.
Scholarship students plan to change the world
We caught up with four of this year’s scholarship students to see the impact of alumni donations on their studies and to find out what the future holds for them.
The engineer
Kirsty Greener is in the first year of her Civil Engineering with Sustainability degree.
“I chose this degree due to its endless limits. One day I can be studying Geotechnics with the impact of earthquakes, the next fluids mechanics for water solutions and then the structure of a building. The course is so diverse and offers many options. This appealed so much to me, and knowing that in the future I could be so diverse, and so could my career opportunities with the chance to change the world!
“The most interesting part of my course so far has been the multi-disciplinary project at the end of term one. This gave me a chance to work with multi-engineering disciplines such as mechanical and electrical engineers. The project was to build a robot using a Lego mind storm kit, to conquer an assault course. This was a very challenging week that tested skills that I have not previously attempted such as programming. It was a challenge, but it was worth it to create a walking, working robot.
“The scholarship has enabled me to buy extra study and practical equipment (such as work boots) that previously I could have not afforded. It also enabled me to spend more time on my studies with a lower need for more work hours as engineering has a largely filled timetable. But the main way it has helped is it has given me a support ensuring that my studies will be as effective as possible. I owe a giant thank you for the donations that have made my experience so wonderful and I hope that future years are able to receive help just like me.”
The economist
Dylan Mistry is in the first year of his Economics degree.
“I was first interested in Economics when I was quite young when I noticed lots of firms closing down in the local area when the recession hit. The reason I chose to study it at university is because I have seen various standards of living through the UK and abroad, and I want to learn about Economics deeply so I can possibly help create or develop a small economic system where small economies in developing countries can grow and thrive.
“My scholarship has made a tremendous difference. Due to the scholarship I have not had to worry about where I will be getting the money to pay for my living costs such as food. It's been a great help and a relief on my mum who would have struggled to support me if I did not get the scholarship. I've been able to focus more at university in trying to succeed academically and not worry about financial issues which can affect one’s mind greatly.
“I hope to get a job to do with mathematics and development economics where I can help contribute to the well-being of those who are less fortunate. I would like to work in a firm that allows me to develop as an economist but as a person too. I want to be able to develop a system or a previous economic concept in which those with lower standards of living are able to develop their living standards through an economic process.
“People that donate to the Brunel Scholarship scheme are the reason why people like me are able to get to university. I'm not saying I am someone special, but I'm someone who wants to make a difference in this world, and without donations from people I and many others would not be at university today.”
The scientist
Ebtihal Farraj is in the first year of her Biomedical Sciences degree.
“I wasn't sure of what course to study at first, so I went to do a lot of volunteer work in hospitals, dentists and other medical industries, as I knew I wanted to work in that area. After all the work experience I realised that the most important part is the science behind all of those and then I knew that I wanted to do scientific research that will help improve medical treatments and so doing biomedical science will be the first step of my career. In the future I would like to work in labs doing research on Spinocerebellar Ataxia (a progressive, neurodegenerative disease).
“Apart from providing the extra support I need, the scholarship also makes me more determined to achieve better results. Scholarships provide a lot of support to current and future students as they help pay a good amount of the university fee or can help with buying books and equipment needed for the course.”
The teacher
Cydney Colton is in the first year of her Contemporary Education degree.
“I chose to study contemporary education as I have always had an interest in children and the way they learn. I chose this degree because it allows you to work with children in a variety of ways such as youth work and nursery, and also includes an extra year gaining a PG-CERT for becoming a primary school teacher.
“The most interesting part of my course so far is learning all the psychological aspects to a child's learning. Such as the different theories into how children learn, and also how a child's environment can affect their development, such as child abuse and gender identity disorders.
“The scholarship has allowed me to purchase and use resources which have helped me to develop and improve my writing skills academically and in essays. Before coming to university one of my main worries was writing the assignments as I do not find it easy to write academically. I was able to access books on academic writing, writing good essays, referencing help etc. All of these books have enabled me to lift my grades which will be beneficial in the end. Some of the scholarship has also contributed to my travelling costs to university and to my placement.”
Job hunting help
Siobhan Feeney graduated last summer with a degree in Business & Management. She then used the Brunel Placement & Careers Centre to help her secure a place on a graduate scheme with Nestlé.
Siobhan went travelling soon after graduating and, after a well-earned break, she then came back to the UK to focus on applying for graduate schemes. She found that the PCC could help her when applying for jobs, for up to two years after graduating: “It was great to have someone there that could look over my CV and applications at a time when I was actually going through a recruitment process.”
“The careers advisers are very helpful; they are all knowledgeable and experienced individuals who are willing to give you an awful lot of their time”.
The PCC helped Siobhan secure invitations to assessment days for some high profile companies including Vodafone, Unilever and Virgin Media.
One-to-one appointments
“The careers advisers provide you with a one-to-one service. You are able to request as much or as little time as you need, which is extremely useful if you have lots of applications to go through. I had a list of about 15 graduate schemes I planned on applying for so it was really good to be provided with the one-to-one time that I needed to cover my CV and all my applications. After the meetings, the advisors also had a genuine interest in my progress and how I was getting on which really helped when I needed to go back and ask them any questions.”
All the hard work has now paid off as Siobhan recently heard that she has been accepted onto the Nestlé Marketing Graduate Scheme, starting in September.
“I would recommend that all graduates use the career services. When applying for numerous jobs at the same time, it is easy to make silly mistakes and become ‘word blind’ when going over applications and CVs. It is also often just a little thing that needs changing that doesn’t take long at all, but makes a huge difference. I think it is rare for us to still have access to these services after graduating - especially one-on-one attention - so we are really lucky. You get a more specialised and personalised service than you would from a recruitment agency, so why not use your own university to help give you guidance and refresh it all in your mind?”
Help from a distance
Even if you aren’t able to get to the campus, you can still access help by email, telephone or online. “The PCC website is jam-packed full of information” says Siobhan, “from current job postings and links to UK and international internships, to interview tips, psychometric test practise and loads more”.
Siobhan’s top job hunting tip
“I would recommend trying to get thorough feedback from the places you have applied to. Although it isn’t nice hearing negative things about yourself that you need to improve, that kind of feedback is a lot more useful and constructive than ‘We really liked you but the other candidate was just a bit stronger’. So I would recommend being persistent about requesting constructive feedback and then going to see the Placement & Careers Centre with that to see if they can help. They may also be able to understand what it is that you are missing on your application forms or not doing in your interviews.”
You can arrange an appointment with a careers adviser by email on careers@brunel.ac.uk or telephone on 01895 266840. Alternatively, there are lots of helpful resources online at http://www.brunel.ac.uk/services/pcc/students/still-here-to-help.
Making Postgraduate study more affordable
Thanks to a series of initiatives at Brunel, there are now several schemes that make Postgraduate study or research much more affordable, meaning this could be the perfect chance for you to add a further qualification to your CV.
Brunel University graduates who register for a postgraduate course or research programme on a self-funding basis will be eligible for a 15% discount on their tuition fees from 1 September 2013.
What’s more, the university has also introduced its brand new Postgraduate Academic Excellence Scholarships for those who graduate with a First Class Honours degree from any UK university. These scholarships will give a further 15% discount on course fees.
Our next Postgraduate Open Evening is on Thursday 23 May 2013, 4.30pm – 7.30pm. Join us to find out more about our range of courses, research opportunities and funding options.
Green tea and the fight against cancer
Brunel scientists, working with University College London, have discovered that chemicals in green tea can slow the growth of cancer.
The researchers investigated the effects of “catchetins” extracted from green tea leaves on one of the most fatal forms of childhood cancers, neuroblastoma. They found that the catchetins helped suppress the cancer by boosting the body’s own anti-tumour response.
The study was funded by the children’s medical research charity, Sparks. It is hoped that this research will lead to the development of less toxic treatments for children with cancer.
Dr Arturo Sala said: “Aggressive neuroblastoma can be one of the most difficult cancers to treat in children and new non-toxic approaches are needed. Green tea extracts are currently being used in clinical trials for adult the US and could be potentially useful in children with neuroblastoma as well as other cancers.
“We’ve found that the extract acts to stop the neuroblastoma cancer producing a type of cell known as myeloid suppressor cell, which prevents the immune system from attacking tumours. I sincerely hope our efforts have helped unlock new non-toxic methods to boost the body’s innate defence against neuroblastoma”
The research team is now looking to begin clinical trials in which Polyphenon E, a clinical grade catechin extract of green tea leaves, will be combined in treatments for children with relapsed neuroblastoma or who are undergoing cancer immunotherapy.
The Athletes’ Commission is an advisory group that was formed in July 2010 to ensure Britain’s athletes have an input into the initiatives delivered by the BOA. The Commission comprises fourteen athletes from a variety of sports who have represented Team GB the Olympic Games.
For more information click here
Congratulations to Brunel alumni and honorary graduates Lee Mack and Jo Brand
Lee Mack and Jo Brand took the titles of Best Male and Best Female TV Comic respectively at the 2012 British Comedy Awards.
For further information see The British Comedy Awards 2012 nominees
Sky diving support reaches new heights for Urban Scholars
Touched by the work of the US team and in support of their desire to develop the opportunity to more disadvantaged young people - Brunel friend and supporter Laurelle Ronde also took to the skies to overcome a personal challenge of sky diving and to raise funds for the project. Despite great nerves before the event Laurelle said “I never thought I would take to the 
skies but this marvellous cause persuaded me to take up the challenge. The Urban Scholars Programme at Brunel University provides educational support to students 12 - 18 years old from disadvantaged backgrounds in Inner London schools so that learning potential can be achieved and better lives created. Heck, if they can be brave and take up the challenge then so can I!”
Laurelle conquered her fear and raised over £400 which will allow one young person to attend 2/3rds of the course for a year – a significant contribution to changing the life of a very worthy young person.
Inspired by the volunteering history of people taking the plunge and skydiving to raise funds for Urban Scholars – Leanne Moseley – who joined the Development Office this summer to work on Trusts and Foundation funding took on the challenge herself. Travel loving Leanne saw the sights of her new home in Oxfordshire from a very different view point and smiled her way down to a soft landing and a fabulous £413 pounds of funds to support the Urban Scholars programme.
On behalf of the Urban Scholars, A huge thank you to all our supporters.
If you feel inspired to challenge yourself and maybe friends too, to organise a sponsored event to support any of our projects at Brunel please email Janie Grover we would be delighted to help you make the most of your fundraising event.
Race Night in Aid of Progeria
Lesley Warren is one of the first points of contact that new students and their families will have with Brunel. Lesley is a Marketing Officer whose role is to showcase Brunel to potential students running campus 
tours and events. When Lesley is not highlighting the exciting Brunel opportunity to young people she is busier than ever fundraising for various causes close to her heart. We are delighted that one such cause is our very own Progeria.
Progeria is a tragic condition that ages children 8 years for every 1 of their natural lives. The children have a life expectancy of just 13 years and suffer throughout their short lives with many of the afflictions of old age; strokes, heart conditions, mobility and dietary problems.
So touched by the dedication of Dr Ian Kill, Dr Jo Bridger and their team to finding answers about this ageing conundrum, Lesley has taken on the challenge to organise Race nights here on campus . This is the second Race Night we have held at Brunel University, the first one in March 2011 was a huge success raising £1600.
Tickets are £10 each which includes supper and you can make a donation towards a homemade dessert. There will be a super raffle and great prizes for the winning horse owners. Come along and join in: gentlemen - smart casual, ladies - dress like you are going to Ascot! Put on your best dress, hat and heels and come and have some fun at the Race Night on Friday 1st March 2013 at 5.45 pm in the Newton Room, Hamilton Building.
Please come along and support our Progeria Research Team. All monies raised will be donated to the team to help them continue their very valuable work here at Brunel University.
For tickets and further information call: Lesley Warren on 01895 265596 or email and Hilary Quincey on 01895 265588 or email
Update Your Details, Win an iPad!
The office is running a competition for a lucky graduate to win a black 16GB Wi-Fi iPad with retina display! All graduates have to do is update the Alumni Office with your current home address, personal telephone number and email address by February 28th 2013. You can do this by post, email, calling 01895 267 616 or signing up to the new website! Just make sure you do it before the closing date.
The winner will be announced in March 2013. To see if you are eligible check our terms and conditions page.
Made in Brunel 2012: student's design cuts water waste
Mitch Gebbie will exhibit his 'Waste Not' design at Made in Brunel 2012
Brunel University Design student Mitch Gebbie has created a water saving device to help households reduce waste and save money.
The small, low-cost and easy-to-retrofit design recycles wasted cold water that cools in the pipes after the hot tap is used, and then flows from the tap when it is next turned on while the user waits for the water to heat up. Ideal for both Combi and traditional boilers, Gebbie's compact system sits below the sink and diverts the cold water back into the storage tank until sensors detect that the temperature has risen.
The working and proven device guarantees a saving of almost 10 litres of water per day for the average household, halfway towards the 20 litre daily reduction which Defra has pledged to achieve by 2030. British households currently use around 150 litres each day, and both James Dyson and the Institution of Civil Engineers have recently highlighted the urgent need for water security and household saving to solve the burgeoning waste crisis.
Gebbie’s inspiration for the device, called ‘Waste Not’, stems from growing up in a large rural Victorian home where he worried constantly about the amount of water he and his family wasted while waiting for the hot tap to warm up. He is keen to see the project through to manufacture and adoption across the UK.
“This is a timely solution to the UK’s water shortage and responds to the need for households to take control,” says Gebbie. “As the impacts of climate change are felt across the ever-connected and shrinking global village, the Western world is effectively pouring desperately needed water down the drain”.
“This simple device works; the UK could set an example and lead the way in responsible, sustainable water consumption. I just need an enterprising manufacturer to see the huge opportunity that 'Waste Not' presents to tackle this problem head-on!”
Gebbie's device is one of a number of innovative, environmentally sustainable engineering and design projects on show at the 2012 Made in Brunel exhibition, held from 14-17 June at the Bargehouse, London.
For more information about Made in Brunel 2012 visit the Made in Brunel website or follow the team on Twitter @madeinbrunel12.
To interview Mitch Gebbie please contact Sophia Henri on 07793 555403 or by email at sophia.henri@brunel.ac.uk.
Journalists, photographers and television crews interested in attending Made in Brunel 2012 should contact Phil Smith on 01727 733388 or email phil@communicationsmanagement.co.uk.
MasterChef winner remembers student days at Brunel
This year’s queen of the popular TV cookery show MasterChef has looked back fondly at her time as a student at Brunel University, when she treated her friends to a taste of her culinary skills.
Shelina Permalloo, 29, won BBC 1’s MasterChef 2012 last week [Thursday March 15]. She graduated from Brunel in 2004 with a degree in Psychology.
In an interview with Brunel University’s Express magazine, Shelina recalled her time living in student residences on campus, where she often made meals for her fellow students. “I lived in Mill Hall and I did a lot of cooking," she said. "I was always making stuff up out of whatever we had left in the cupboard - just spicing it up a bit!”
Shelina, who now lives in Tooting, south London, credits her Mauritian mother’s influence in developing her love of cooking. Her dream is to open her own restaurant and raise the profile of Mauritian food in this country, and she credits her degree with having given her some of the transferable skills necessary for the fulfilment of that dream.
“If it wasn’t for Brunel I wouldn’t have got any of the jobs that I had before MasterChef,” she said. “I learned skills like managing people, planning my time and project management. You pick up skills like that at uni but you only really learn them when you’re working in the real world.”
She added, “It took me nearly ten years between leaving Brunel and figuring out that I couldn’t live without working in food. I don’t regret my time there and the jobs that I had afterwards for a second. I met some of my best friends at Brunel, people that I consider family.”
The full interview with Shelina will be published in Brunel University’s quarterly Express magazine in May.
For further details contact:
• Press Office: press.office@brunel.ac.uk, 01895 265585, switchboard 01894 274000
• Rachel Turvey (editor of Express): rachel.turvey@brunel.ac.uk
For the BBC Press Office:
Beverly Comboy, PLANK PR
The Courtyard, 4 Evelyn Road, London W4 5JL
Direct line 020 8995 3936, Mobile 07795 840723
Brunel collects Queen's Anniversary Prize at Buckingham Palace
Brunel University has collected the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Further and Higher Education at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace, in recognition of the Institute for the Environment's groundbreaking research into the effects of hormone disrupting chemicals.
The ‘Diamond Jubilee’ round of awards was presented by Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
The Prizes recognise and celebrate outstanding work which is deemed to have had a real and practical impact for the benefit of humanity. Professor in Ecotoxicology John Sumpter and his team, including Professor Susan Jobling, secured the award for research uncovering the link between exposure to water pollution and sex change in male fish in UK rivers. The research provided the impetus for human health research also linking chemical exposure with declining sperm counts, increased incidence of male genital abnormalities, and testicular, breast and prostate cancer in human populations.
Professor Sumpter said: “The long-term aim of our research and teaching is to ensure that society thinks more carefully about the use of chemicals and the impact they have on the environment. Our health and the health of our rivers are of great importance, so we’re honoured to receive this recognition of our work at the Institute for the Environment.”
The research, now being led by the new head of the Institute for the Environment, Professor Susan Jobling, shows that many chemicals in everyday use are inefficiently removed by sewage treatment, passing into rivers and eventually into the drinking water supply. Many of these chemicals, including those found in contraceptive pills and dishwasher tablet ingredients, can interfere with or mimic hormones in the body, leading to problems with reproductive health.
The Institute’s work was selected for the Queen’s Anniversary Prize as a leading example of excellence not just in research, but also in global impact. Through their engagement with policy makers, regulators and industries, the Institute’s researchers have been instrumental in helping to find cost-effective ways of managing the risk posed by these chemicals, including new waste water treatment processes to remove them or restrictions and bans on their production.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Jenks said: “Brunel University is delighted to receive this recognition of our globally influential research carried out by the Institute for the Environment. We pride ourselves on being at the cutting edge of research at Brunel University and the work of Professor John Sumpter and his team is a fine example of our research excellence.”
Our current Alumnus of the Year - The Safety Box Founder Nathaniel Peat wins the DREAM
On the 20th of September City Hall played host to the London Week of Peace Awards.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson hosted the event which awarded those who have done something outstanding for London.
The event which runs annually is part of The Peace Alliance which is an independent charity that works to support communities across the UK, through; supporting safety initiatives, civic responsibility, and crime reduction projects. Launched in 2001 - The ‘London week of peace’ is a week which seeks to “challenge all Londoners to make a positive change in their communities by engaging in a community safety agenda for London”. Londoners of all ages who have made a significant contribution to the safety of the capital - all have the chance to be a recipient of an award within the 10 award categories.
The recent rioting and community unrest has meant that there is now more of a need to champion London and those who show great civic responsibility. These awards are thought of as „for the people, by the people., and a chance for Londoners to nominate their friend, parent, sibling, teacher, student, community group and so on - for being positive role models who champion for a more peaceful London. After an overwhelming nomination from teachers, charity workers, police and pupils The Safety Box founder Nathaniel Peat was successful and was chosen to be the winner of the prestigious DREAM peace award by the judges.
Mayor Boris Johnson who hosted the event stated “There has never been a more timely moment for us to celebrate the unsung heroes who work tirelessly on behalf of Londoners.”
Prime Minister The Rt. Hon David Cameron further endorsed “I am delighted to send my best wishes to everyone involved in this years London Week of Peace, It is about people stepping up to the plate and playing their parts in improving the communities in which they live, and it has made a real difference.”
Nathaniel has been an inspiration to many young people around London and generally in the UK, he has helped to relieve the concerns of young people, parents, governments and educational institutions. Through his social minded business The Safety Box, he has helped to motivate, inspire and steer youth away from underachievement, gang and knife culture and shown them that they are limitless in their potential. Nathaniel for 3 years Nathaniel selflessly put his pilot training on hold in 2005, to make a difference in London.s communities. Through which he focussed his effort on impacting young people through PRU's, YOTS, schools, colleges, universities, youth groups and YMCA.s. In this time he and his company has impacted over 5000 young people and motivated countless adults by helping them to start businesses. He is without a doubt a strong spirit of London, his business and him as an individual has impacted thousands of people of all ages not only in London but as far as Scotland, Canada and even Jamaica.
http://www.weekofpeace.org.uk/
http://communitychannel.mediatrust.org/london360/news-details/484/londons-week-of-peace- awards/
Episode 8 of London360 will include this feature as part of it.s „Londoner of the week. segment, however, this will be celebrating not just one, but several London champions. The episode will be airing on Monday the 26th of September. If you would like to see former „Londoners of the week.- you can watch all previous shows here;http://communitychannel.mediatrust.org/video?channel=all&sort=published&page_num=1&keyword=London360 The 10 award categories are as follows:
These include:
- A Bravery Award - for an individual who has shown exceptional courage in keeping the Peace.
- Community Safety Award (the Metropolitan Commissioner's Award.
- DREAM (Develop Real Examples and Mentors) - For an inspirational individual and mentor who is actively making an impact in London and their community awakening the potential of youth and inspiring others.
- Best community safety / crime reduction initiative.
- Diversity Award - for an individual / organization working across diverse groups to bring about positive change.
- Londoners Peace Award (the Mayors Award) - for an individual who has made the most outstanding contribution to their community.
- Bridge Builders Peace Award - For young people actively building bridges between young people, communities, generations, faiths and cultures.
- Community Engaging Award - for an organization actively involved in engagement and connecting local communities.
- Turn Around Peace Award - ex-offender who has made a positive change in his/her community.
- Team London Volunteer Award - (In Partnership with The Mayor's Office) An award celebrating an individual committed to volunteering their time and resources to the benefit of local communities.
- Young Person Peace Award - For students who have made the most outstanding contribution to their school or community.
July 31st, 2011
Made in Brunel award-winner Buster Palmano, who graduated with first class honours in Product Design Engineering in July, has won the New Designers InterContinental Hotels Group Award for his innovative ceiling fan design.
The Wing Fan, an efficient and affordable ceiling fan designed to increase airflow and reduce noise, best satisfied the award’s criteria to design an intrinsically innovative and environmental solution that makes life better for the user.
The judges said: “Bust
er resolved many common issues with existing fans to create a really innovative solution that has many environmental benefits whilst delivering a vastly improved consumer experience.”
The prize involves a two week work placement at Intercontinental Hotels Group, plus a weekend break in the Hotel InterContinental, Park Lane.
Buster explained: “Research shows that ceiling fans are unpopular due to their unattractive aesthetic and the fact that they are very noisy to use. The wing fan uses biomimetics (the study and application of natural mechanisms to the design of products) and airflow simulation to maximise airflow while minimising noise, creating a fan that moves silently and slowly while moving more air then traditional flat blades.
“Winning the New Designers award was a great feeling. The final year project at Brunel is unlike any other design project as it represents the culmination of four years of study, so being rewarded for my efforts is amazing.”
New Designers is a graduate design event which brings together over 3,500 graduates from across a range of disciplines, and aims to create a showcase for the next generation of design leaders.
At Made in Brunel, Buster won the O2 Telefonica Electric Vehicle Design Challenge for a new battery and application concept.