Revolutionising Design: Engineering for the future

From a young age, I've been captivated by the workings of the world around me. As a child, I was the one constantly disassembling gadgets and rebuilding them, eager to understand what it was that made them function. My early attempts at fixing electronics (although mostly failures) at home fuelled my interest and taught me valuable lessons. This curiosity gradually evolved into a passion for research.

During my undergraduate studies in Mechanical Engineering at Panjab University, in India, I actively participated in various research projects. These experiences deepened my understanding of the research process - from exploring new ideas to building prototypes and conducting thorough testing, analysis and publishing research results. My interest in mechatronics and robotics grew, and I became particularly fascinated by concepts like design and material optimisation, sustainability and design for manufacturing. I developed a keen interest in creating optimised designs and making manufacturing economically viable.

One significant experience of putting this into practice came during my undergraduate degree. I led a team of my peers to design and create a go-kart to enter the International Series of Karting and Trinity Karting Trophy competitions. We were constrained by limited resources and had to fund the project from our own pockets – this meant that we had to optimise the go-kart design to not only be cost-effective, but also lightweight and innovative. We ended up winning the 'Best Team' award.

At the age of 19, I also purchased a 3D printer and set up a small startup from my home, specialising in printing unique objects for friends and family. I even began selling these personalised gifts, effectively turning it into a small-scale business. Throughout this venture, I consistently prioritised the optimal use of materials, contributing to the sustainability aspect that has become a central focus in my research journey.

During my undergraduate years, I sought international research experience and, after reaching out to various universities, had the privilege to work as a visiting student researcher at NTU. Under the mentorship of Professor Neil Mansfield, I contributed to human factors related to autonomous vehicle seat design in collaboration with Bridgestone Japan. This experience not only led to a Memorandum of Understanding between NTU and Panjab University, but also afforded me the opportunity to present my work to the Vice-Chancellors of both universities in 2018.