Steve Grey (2016 cohort)
Please provide a brief summary of your PhD project.
My PhD research was on the actuation of engineering origami. Engineering origami opens up the possibility of dramatically changing the size and shape of structures made from sheets; however, to practically use these structures in a controllable way they must be able to be operated remotely. To do this a set of actuators must be placed throughout the structure, my research focused on determining where and how powerful these actuators should be to get the desired changes in shape.
Did you choose to continue your XP project as a PhD? Why or why not?
I did choose to continue my XP research because during that early exploratory phase I found an interesting and unexpected result which guided the first 18 months of my PhD in a previously unforseen and unique direction.
How did the taught component benefit your PhD research?
Assessments in the taught component highlighted the area of engineering origami to me, prior to this I did not know anything about it and so would have been unlikely to follow the direction I did.
How did the cohort structure benefit your PhD research?
The cohort structure helps both personally and technically. Personally, PhDs can be a lonely and isolated activity but as part of a cohort you are provided with a group who can support you from day one. Technically, being part of a cohort with diverse backgrounds across science and engineering means that if you have a problem you probably know someone who can quickly point you to an answer, which is a big help throughout the PhD.
What did you most value about being part of a CDT?
Being prepared during the taught component to produce high quality academic work and present that in a written form and be comfortable presenting verbally.
What was the 'impact' of your research?
My work has been part of laying the groundwork to be able to design origami which can remotely change shape on command, allowing for new deployable or morphing structures made simply from flat sheets of material.
What was your destination on leaving the CDT?
Aerospace Engineer at B2Space.
What are your main responsibilities?
I am responsible for simulating everything from aerodynamics and structures to control systems and mechanisms. Because we are a small company I have also been able to get involved with other activities such as systems engineering and even taking part in launches of stratospheric balloons.
Where do you see yourself in five to ten years time?
Working at the cutting edge of spacecraft technology and being able to spend some time teaching and exciting the next generation of engineers about spacecraft too.
How have the skills and knowledge you acquired during your time in the CDT helped develop your career?
The important skills are certainly the soft skills like networking and communication skills. However, the most important skill has been the ability and confidence to solve an open problem when I may not have the required skills or knowledge to solve it before starting out.