YPLC final held virtually for the first time

This year's Young Persons' Lecture Competition took place virtually on 23 September 2020 for the first time. Competitors gave a lecture of 15 minutes on a topic related to materials, minerals, mining, packaging, clay technology and wood science and engineering.

This year's final was sponsored by The Armourers & Brasiers’ Company, the Midland Institute of Mining Engineers and the East Midlands Materials Society.

The judging panel included head judge Dr Phil Bischler CEng CSci FIMMM, Duncan Kilbride FIMMM Midland Institute of Mining Engineers and Dr Ilija Rašović Student and Early Careers Committee. The event was chaired by Dave Evetts CEng FIMMM from IOM3 Local Affairs Committee. Lecture topics ranged from thermal barrier coatings and hip implant materials to self-cleaning glass.

First prize went to Morgan Lowther, from the Midlands for his lecture on ‘Head, shoulders, knees and microbes: 3D printing better implants.’ He will go on to represent the UK at the IOM3 World Lecture Competition final in November.

Second prize was awarded to Tamas Zagyva, representing North West & North Wales on ‘Hip implant materials: Novel bioactive coatings for silicon nitride ceramic hip replacements.’ Shima Ghanaatian representing Scotland took home third prize.

The Competition is organised by IOM3, sponsored by the Midland Institute of Mining Engineers, the East Midlands Materials Society and supported by the Armourers and Brasiers’ Company. It aims to provide a friendly atmosphere of competition in which young engineers and scientists can develop their presentation skills by addressing an informed audience.

Well done to all this year’s finalists and good luck to Morgan for the YPWLC.

For more information contact [email protected]