2024 YPWLC final
The winners of the national finals of the Young Person's Lecture Competition, held in regions where IOM3 has international branches or sister institutions, compete in the world final. The first YPWLC was held in London in 2005, and since then has travelled to different locations in four continents. The event has been held online since 2020.
The finalists from around the world will give a 15 minute presentation on a technical topic of their choice and then answer questions from the judging panel.
Timetable
| 12:00 | Login |
| 12:10 | Welcome & introductions |
| 12:15 | Why strained semiconductors are like cronkle-cut crisps |
| Emilia Russell, UK | |
| 12:35 | A deep learning-based framework for automatic rock core logging |
| Sihao Yu, Hong Kong | |
| 12:55 | YPWLC finalist |
| 13:15 | Break |
| 13:25 | YPWLC finalist |
| 13:45 | YPWLC finalist |
| 14:05 | Networking, Q&A with the finalists |
| 14:30 | Results |
| 14:45 | End |
* time zone = GMT
2024 YPWLC finalists
UK
Emilia Russell
Emilia Russell is a 2nd year PhD student in the Department of Engineering at Durham University, currently investigating the impacts of mechanical strain on the electrical properties of 2-dimensional semiconductors. In her free time, she enjoys sailing and organising seminars from industry speakers with the Women’s Engineering Society at Durham.
Why strained semiconductors are like crinkle-cut crisps
When applying strain to 2-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides, it has been observed that the bandgap changes. The bandgap is the potential difference between the highest energy bounded (immobile) electrons and the delocalised (mobile) electrons.
Crinkle cut crisps taste better because they hold more salt, crinkle cut semiconductors insulate better because they hold more electrons.
This effect could be exploited in the next generation of synthetic skin. It could also be used to design flexible acetylene detectors to monitor food expiration, reducing food waste. To date, the relationship between mechanical strain and electronic properties has predominantly been shown through computational modelling. This research focuses on overcoming the issues that have hindered the realisation of these devices, such that the effects of strain on other semiconductor properties can be investigated. In turn, this will lead to a better understanding of the electrostatics and charge transport of these novel 2-D materials.
Hong Kong
Sihao Yu
Hong Kong
Sihao Yu
Sihao is a 2nd year PhD student in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Hong Kong, under the supervision of Prof Louis Wong. He earned his BEng (2020) in Civil Engineering from Southeast University, China, followed by an MPhil (2023) in Geotechnical Engineering from Tongji University, China. His current research focuses on the application of artificial intelligence in geotechnical engineering practice, particularly advanced computer vision techniques.
In his spare time, Sihao enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and ball games
A deep learning-based framework for automatic rock core logging
Rock core logging plays a crucial role in obtaining geological and geotechnical information such as lithology and Rock Quality Designation (RQD). However, traditional rock core logging procedures are often tedious and time-consuming, especially for highly fractured rock cores. Have you ever imagined that such domain-professional work could be aided by artificial intelligence? Prof Louis Wong and his research team at HKU have developed an autonomous framework for performing core logging that mimics human processes.
This presentation will showcase ongoing research to further improve automatic lithology classification and RQD estimation. A deep learning-based framework has been trained to classify rock cores into different categories. Moreover, this framework can also segment cores at a high accuracy, allowing the subsequent automatic RQD calculation. Upon further verification, the plan is to update the framework and integrate it into a publicly accessible website for widespread use.
Judging panel
President 2023-2024
Dr Kate Thornton CEng CSci FIMMM
President 2023-2024
Dr Kate Thornton CEng CSci FIMMM
Kate works as a Lead Research Scientist at Croda in Widnes and Her work is focused on sustainable Biopolymers.
Kate studied Biomedical Material Science for her undergraduate degree at the University of Manchester. She then went on to complete her PhD in self-assembled peptide hydrogels for the three-dimensional culture of Embryonic Stem Cells at the same University.
Kate first became involved with the IOM3 as a student in the Younger Members' Committee (now known as the Student & Early Career Group) in 2008 and succeeded Neil Glover as President in January 2023.
Vice-Chair, SECC
Dr Michael Kenyon MIMMM
Vice-Chair, SECC
Dr Michael Kenyon MIMMM
Innoval Technology Limited
Michael works for Innoval Technology as a Materials Engineer. Innoval provide consultancy to the global aluminium industry, with expertise in materials characterisation and process improvement across all sectors. Day to day, Michael has two roles, as a physical metallurgist and as a sustainability analyst.
As a metallurgist, Michael examines microstructures of numerous aluminium series within the automotive, aerospace and packaging sectors. Michael particularly enjoys characterising aluminium structures by utilising optical, scanning and transmission electron microscopes. In addition to client work, Michael is heavily involved with publicly funded projects, providing metallurgical development and characterisation support. Michael finds collaborative projects incredibly rewarding, working alongside universities and commercial partners, contributing to projects that will increase the awareness and usage of sustainable aluminium for future materials.
With his sustainability hat on, Michael conducts studies for clients including Life Cycle Assessments to better understand and improve the footprint of their products and processes.
Michael previously studied for a PhD in Advanced Metallic Systems at the University of Manchester, investigating the evolution of dispersoids in Al-Mg-Si based automotive alloys with varying impurity levels; a project sponsored by Novelis.
Outside of work, you’ll find Michael with a camera in his hand, focusing on landscape, animal and astrophotography. Michael has been a keen Table Tennis player for many years, playing across the country.
Chair, IOM3 Members' Board
Mr Martyn Jones CEng FIMMM
Chair, IOM3 Members' Board
Mr Martyn Jones CEng FIMMM
Martyn is currently working for Rolls-Royce plc in Repair Technology, where his role is to develop strategic repair technologies and to support current repair capability acquisition programmes. He is also reading for his PhD with the University of Sheffield which is part-time and industrially based. Prior to working for Rolls-Royce plc he graduated from the University of Sheffield with a first class honours degree in Aerospace Materials, which included a 5-month internship which was completed with Rolls-Royce. It was following this placement that he gained a place on the Rolls-Royce plc graduate scheme. During his time on the graduate scheme, he became a STEM ambassador, leading a project aimed at encouraging school children to go on to study STEM subjects by enthusing them about science and maths - one of his passions!
His other academic achievements include being awarded the Nesthill medal for work on physical metallurgy and the Armourers and Brasiers medal for greatest distinction shown by candidates reading for BEng (Level 3) or MEng (Level 4).
In his spare time he regularly officiates in grass roots football and also enjoys travelling.
Event co-ordinator
Chair, SECC
Dr Ilija Rasovic MIMMM
Chair, SECC
Dr Ilija Rasovic MIMMM
University of Birmingham
Ilija is Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham. He earned his MEng in Materials Science from Corpus Christi College, Oxford, followed by a DPhil in Materials from St Cross College, Oxford. His primary research interests focus on fullerenes and supramolecular systems with particular application in biomedical contexts.
Ilija is an award-winning science communicator, having won IOM3’s international Literature Review Prize in 2016 and finishing second in the Young Persons’ World Lecture Competition in 2017, amongst receiving other best talk prizes at international conferences and scientific meetings. He is also currently Advanced Materials Engineer at P1 Graphene Solutions, having previously worked on placement at Jaguar Land Rover and as a CNC miller for Lesk Engineers.
Ilija is involved in numerous outreach and engagement activities as a STEM ambassador and is committed to both championing Materials Science as a subject and inspiring students of all backgrounds to pursue further study at university. He is a trustee of the newly formed charity, Break Off Labs, whose aim is to widen participation in STEM research.