ENGINEERING THE

The next generation of

engineers are investigating new

technologies that could change

the way we live, work and play.

ROBO-CHAMPIONSIF YOUR GOAL IS to work in robotics, you might thinkof building and programming high-tech rescue bots that could safely detonate bombs, or planetary investigators like the Curiosity rover now operating on Mars. In fact, you could get some real experience with robots much sooner than you think. The FIRST® Robotics Competition teaches students how to build their own robots, which compete in a variety of challenges. “One of the great things about FIRST is that the game itself changes every year, but the basic idea of a real-world, resource-limited, time-intensive challenge is the same,” says Macquarie University electronics and software engineer Professor Mike Heimlich. “This year, the game is based on ultimate frisbee, last year it was basketball, one year it was soccer,” he says. Every year, Australian robot teams compete at the ‘Duel Down Under’ at Macquarie University. The robots – up to 50 kg in weight and two metres tall – perform a series of challenges in teams. It’s not just for fun – FIRST also aims to develop the skills of the next generation of engineers to help the community. One team working with mentors at Macquarie University is helping people with neuromuscular diseases by developing a specialised, robotically controlled chair. To � nd out how to get involvedin FIRST, contact Professor Mike Heimlichat michael.heimlich@mq.edu.au

ROBOTIC LUNG-ON-A-CHIPIN MEDICAL RESEARCH, understanding how a disease works in the body, and how best to treat it, often involves using lab animals to observe how they respond to the disease’s progress. This is called ‘modelling’ a disease. But what happens when a disease can’t be modelled in an animal? Engineering researchers at Macquarie University are overcoming this problem by developing a lung-on-a-chip to model cystic � brosis. These little lungs include a membrane with microscopic pores, made using microchip technology, and sandwiched between layers of cells. The membrane is then stretched and relaxed to replicate the motion of breathing. Researchers hope this tiny lung system will enable them to watch the development and treatment of cystic � brosis for the � rst time.

TRAILBLAZING FAST CAR DESIGNUNDERSTANDING THE BIG picture is important for engineers when they are � nding solutions to improve man-made systems like cars. Sammy Diasinos, a mechanical engineering lecturer at Macquarie University, spent six years working on the design of Formula One (F1) racing cars, in particular on improving the wing designs. F1 wings are essentially upside-down versions of aeroplane wings, providing ‘down force’ to give tyres more grip for cornering, accelerating and braking. In his work for F1 racing car teams, Sammy needed to make sure that what was being done by the people on the front of the car was compatible with what was being done on the middle and rear, and that they were all working in unison. Small improvements are made constantly during the racing season, so it’s crucial for engineers to understand the whole system to obtain a winning edge and prevent catastrophic accidents – these cars can travel at more than 300 km/h!

NO STRINGS ATTACHEDEVERY TIME SOMEONE logs onto the school intranet, streams video or checks out

a website over a WiFi connection, they’re using technology developed at Macquarie University in Sydney. In the late 1990s, two researchers at the University partnered with

the CSIRO to develop WiFi chips that were commercialised and incorporated into the revolutionary product we now use everywhere – the WiFi router.

Now, Macquarie University is again leading the way with wireless applications, but this time it’s personal. They’re using human phantoms, which are models with a similar

density to humans, to determine the type of wireless signal required to transmit from sensors inside the body. This opens the door for sensory devices that,

while in communication with health professionals, could help determine pain levels and release painkillers, sense blood

glucose levels and provide insulin to diabetics, or alert doctors to the probability of a patient su� ering a stroke.

Research engineers such as Professor Eryk Dutkiewiczat Macquarie University, who runs this project, are

working to make these implants safe, reliable,e� cient and high-security.

Engineers apply their skills across scales both big

and small, creating dynamic solutions in � elds as

diverse as medicine and formula one racing cars.

ENGINEERING CAREERS – creating solutions for the future

SARAH HEIMLICH Engineering student, Macquarie University

WHY THIS AREA OF STUDY?I love solving a good problem. As an engineering student, I solve mysteries each day, from circuit design to maths and computing problems. This experience at Macquarie gives me the real-world skillsI will need to develop solutions to issues from climate change to � nding a cure for cancer.

WHAT HAS BEEN A HIGHLIGHT?I’ve been involved with FIRST Robotics since I was 10 years old. I now serve as a mentor and volunteer for the FIRST programs at Macquarie University, and I enjoy giving back to the next generation of students. FIRST has given me more than just engineering experiences. It has also given me skills in teamwork, communication and public speaking, as well as the ability to discover new careers and the pathway to achieving these. FIRST has shown me how, as a team, we can “achieve more than we imagined by setting the bar higher than we dreamed”. (FIRST Team 3132)

HOPES FOR THE FUTURE?My true passion is not just engineering, but how it melds with the world around us, particularly through public policy. I hope to someday be a lobbyist for the technology industry, working to improve legislation to re� ect technological advancement.

Course: Bachelor of Engineering in Software Engineering combined witha Bachelor of Arts

DAVID INGLISLecturer in engineering, Macquarie University

WHY THIS AREA OF STUDY?I come from a family with a long history in engineering. As a child I was constantly taking things apart and, eventually, putting them back together and � xing them. Now, as a research engineer, what makes me passionate about engineering is trying to understand how things work, whether it’s man-made systems, natural phenomena or biology, and then asking, can this be made better?

WHAT HAS BEEN A HIGHLIGHT?From 2007 to 2012 I was a Research Associate in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Macquarie University. My research is focused on micro fabrication for biology and medicine, speci� cally the handlingof � uids, cells and particles in lab-on-a-chip devices. A career highlighthas been participating in the commercial development of blood-cellseparation technology that I pioneered.

Course: Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics, PhD in electrical engineering

SAMMY DIASINOSLecturer in mechanical engineering, Macquarie University

WHY THIS AREA OF STUDY?Studying engineering has given me the tools to solve technical problems that could potentially improve the quality of life for people in many diverse and varying circumstances.

WHAT HAS BEEN A HIGHLIGHT?After completing my undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering, I did a PhD investigating the aerodynamic interaction of a wing and a wheel for open-wheel racing cars. This utilised a combination of experimental and computational models to understand the e� ect that these two bodies have on each other’s performance when they are operating in close proximity. Following my PhD, I worked in Europe for several Formula One (F1) teams. In the six years I was involved in this industry, I rose to the position of Head of Computational Fluid Dynamics Development and Special Projects wind tunnel group leader for the Caterham F1 team. This role continued building on the experimental and computational expertise I had developed from my PhD and throughout my career to assist in the aerodynamic design of Formula One racing cars.HOPES FOR THE FUTURE?My desire to apply the skills that I’ve acquired to a broader range of problems has motivated me to return to Australia as an academic. I intend to continue applying my experimental and computational skills to establish new and novel aerodynamic solutions that will be relevant to the automotive, aerospace, renewable energy and bio-medical industries. 

Course: Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering (Honours), PhD in aerodynamic design

Macquarie University Open Day openday.mq.edu.au

ENGINEERING THE

The next generation of The next generation of

EVERY TIME SOMEONEEVERY TIME SOMEONEEVERY TIME SOMEONEa website over a WiFi connection, they’re using technology developed at Macquarie a website over a WiFi connection, they’re using technology developed at Macquarie a website over a WiFi connection, they’re using technology developed at Macquarie

FUTURE

Scientists can mimic the action of breathing using

lung-on-a-chip technology. Within a lung, cells (inset) exchange gas with blood.

Getting hands-on experience in robotics

could be closer than you think.

Equipping the body with sensors

could make medical treatment wireless

and widely available.

Engineering can make fast cars faster – and more stable.

engineering.mq.edu.au science.mq.edu.au

of building and programming high-tech rescue of building and programming high-tech rescue bots that could safely detonate bombs, or planetary bots that could safely detonate bombs, or planetary investigators like the Curiosity rover now operating investigators like the Curiosity rover now operating on Mars. In fact, you could get some real experience on Mars. In fact, you could get some real experience with robots much sooner than you think. The FIRST®FIRST®Robotics Competition teaches students how to build Robotics Competition teaches students how to build their own robots, which compete in a variety of challenges. “One of the great things about FIRST is is FIRST is FIRSTthat the game itself changes every year, but the basic that the game itself changes every year, but the basic idea of a real-world, resource-limited, time-intensive idea of a real-world, resource-limited, time-intensive challenge is the same,” says Macquarie University electronics and software engineer Professor Mike Heimlich. “This year, the game is based on ultimate frisbee, last year it was basketball, one year it was soccer,” he says. Every year, Australian robot teams compete at the ‘Duel Down Under’ at Macquarie University. The robots –

with neuromuscular diseases by developing a specialised, robotically controlled chair. To � nd out how to get involved

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