James’s story
Since receiving my grant, I have been studying intensely, completing lots of coursework and preparing for my summer exams. I’ve had to produce three lab reports in the last few weeks, on various experiments: fluids, a tensile test and an injection moulding process. I have used the grant to help buy some of the books from my reading list – namely some expensive mathematics and fluid mechanics books – that have been of immeasurable help to me. It has also been invaluable in helping me travel to and from home on the train.
Additionally, my friend Raphael and I have been designing and building a small robot for an Institute of Mechanical Engineers design challenge. It requires you to develop and build a robot which can climb 2m up the outside of a 15mm copper pipe and has been challenging but rewarding. We designed it using SolidWorks, a computer-aided design software and produced the majority of its body by 3D printing.
Alongside my academic studies, I recently finished a scheme with CoachBright, an organisation that pairs university students with school pupils, in an effort to help to increase social mobility and encourage more of them to consider university as an option for their future. I coached a year 9 pupil, one to one, to help him with his GCSE mathematics course. I’ve also been training Brazilian jiu-jitsu 3 times a week most weeks, which are some of the most enjoyable times of my week. It is a martial art that is similar to wrestling and judo but focuses more on groundwork.
In the immediate future I have lots of preparation to do for my summer exams, as I want to perform well and get ahead for next year. I’ve also been proactively searching for a summer internship, to try and gain some more work experience and earn a little money for next year. In my second year I am hoping to take a German language module alongside my other modules and hope to spend a semester studying in Germany in my 3rd year.
After completing my 3 years at Exeter, I intend to study a masters degree in nuclear fusion and technology. There are very few universities that offer a course similar to this in the UK; therefore, I may be looking to apply to study in Europe – which is exciting! I have changed my mind upon pursuing a career in aerospace, as although it is extremely interesting, the more I read about the progress being made with nuclear fusion, the more excited I become. In the UK we not only have the largest and most powerful tokamak reactor in the world (the JET at Culham Centre for Fusion Energy) but also one of the leading spherical tokamaks in the world (the MAST, also at Culham). Within the next thirty to fifty years the fruition of all prior advancements in plasma physics and fusion engineering will come to fruition in two new projects: the ITER, currently in development in the south of France, and the DEMO, which is intended to show the commercial potential for a fusion energy power plant. A very exciting time to become involved in this science in my view!
In my personal opinion helping in the development of low-carbon sources of energy is more important for the longevity of the planet than building faster jets and space ships at this point in time. Climate change is becoming a more pressing issue and over the next 40 years its already negative effects will worsen. If we have not made renewable energy sources more efficient and nuclear more desirable and are still burning fossil fuels for our energy, then how far into space you can travel is unimportant.
Thank you very much for my grant. It’s been extremely helpful to allow me to focus more on my studying and has been put to good use.
James
