Engineering Students to Represent Canada at International Competition
June 30, 2008 - Campus Bulletin
A pair of University of Guelph engineering students will represent Canada in an international engineering design competition.
Tom Hummel and Pete Samson qualified for the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) international competition after capturing top spot in a recent IET national event.
Their design was an electromagnetic valve system intended to improve car engine fuel efficiency and power.
IET is one of the world’s leading professional societies for the engineering and technology and with more than 150,000 members in 127 countries in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.
This is the first year U of G has participated in the IET competition. Hummel and Samson will be the only students from Canada competing in the international event held in London, England in November.
"We are happy that we did so well," said Hummel. "It's exciting to be representing Canada at this next competition."
The project was part of their fourth-year design course and was completed under the direction of Prof. Hussein Abdullah. Hummel and Samson received $3,000 in funding from the Ontario Centres of Excellence.
The design replaces the mechanical valves, which control the flow of exhaust and gas in and out of the engine, with a computer-controlled version.
"We developed a system that uses electromagnetic solenoids to replace the current cam shaft in engines," said Hummel. "This system allows for you to control the timing and duration of the valves with more precision, which ultimately enhances the engines performance."
Over the summer, the pair plan to build an actual engine with the new system so they will have a model to present at the London competition.
"We are both racing enthusiasts so we hope to eventually incorporate this design into a race car," said Hummel.
The national event was held in Toronto last week and included six finalists from local university competitions. U of G sent two student designs, capturing first and second place.
Guelph engineering student Leanne Conrad earned the second spot for her walking aid designed specifically for rehabilitation. The enhanced walker can be adjusted to hold different degrees weight as the patient progresses towards supporting themselves.
