Engineering - sustaining our future

The future of mankind and our planet relies heavily on technology, and engineering plays a key role in putting science to use for mankind's benefit.

Over the past 50 years our scientific understanding has pushed technology's limits and our lifestyle has been significantly enhanced. For example, through more efficient transport systems and telecommunications, engineering has helped to save lives and time.

Also, given the ever-growing need to use more energy resources, engineering can provide solutions by developing energy-efficient systems that preserve the environment.

These issues were the subject of a number of undergraduate engineering projects conducted under the supervision of academic staff from the six departments at the University's Faculty of Engineering.

The student projects carried out this year not only showcase the knowledge and experience acquired by the students but also help contribute to a better environment and a sustainable future. The efficient use of wind turbines was one area investigated. Experimental tests using a wave generator and a wind tunnel were conducted on a floating wind turbine, with the aim of maximising the use of these alternative energy resources.

One project focused on formulating a mathematical description of the ozone concentration over the Maltese islands from measurements taken by the orbiting satellite Nimbus-7 TOMS.

Another project developed an innovative tail-pipe exhaust filter for commercial diesel engines, which collects particulate matter by means of electrostatic forces.

An effective way to indirectly reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in air, such as CO2, revolves around the production of lighter vehicles. A suitable light material, magnesium, which is about 25 per cent as dense as steel, was surface-engineered to improve its corrosion resistance using environmentally friendly processes. Studies have been undertaken on the development of lighter, composite materials which will also benefit air transport.

Other means of reducing fuel consumption, emissions and noise in the aerospace industry have also been investigated through projects aimed at developing flight simulator components. These projects form part of a European-funded project focusing on optimising commercial aircraft trajectories.

Land and sea transport that runs on electricity is another way of reducing harmful emissions; this year the faculty's main focus was to design and build an electric boat.

Some projects sought to investigate the sustainable use of electrical energy and energy efficiency improvements in buildings. Particular attention was given to lighting and air-conditioning systems. Ways of reducing energy needed to produce cosmetic products were also analysed through design and process optimisation.

These and other projects may be viewed at the undergraduate Engineering projects exhibition on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Faculty of Engineering at the University. The exhibition will also give prospective students a foretaste of the Faculty of Engineering environment and help them to make a more informed career choice.

An information seminar about undergraduate courses offered by the Faculty of Engineering will be held on Friday from 4 to 5 p.m. at Sir Temi Zammit hall.

For more information visit the website www.eng.um.edu.mt/exhibition2009.