Engineers in Business Competition

'Engineers in Business' (EIB) competition - sponsored by Sainsbury Management Fellows

EYH finalists took part in in the EIB competition on Wednesday 26th August 2020, with the opportunity to win cash prizes and take part in the EIB 'Champion of Champions' final.

The top 5 teams from February's EYH final presented an enhanced version of their pitch for funding to an Industry Panel:

• Ali Jafri - Staff Engineer (ARM)

• Ben Raynes - Associate Director (AECOM)

• Irma Gilbert - Company Director (E4-3D Engineering for additive)

Each team had 8 minutes to present their pitch, followed by 5 minutes of Q&A. Due to the current restrictions, the event was held virtually, with teams coming together across various locations to prepare their materials and then again for the final, with an audience made up of competing teams and key staff from Learning and Teaching in the Faculty of Engineering.

During the presentations, the Industry Panel assessed the pitch in terms of Project Management, Technical Design, Presentation Quality, Response to Questions before considering 'Would They Fund It?'. Following the pitches, the Industry Panel convened to decide on the top 3 proposals.

The winning teams were:

1st Place) SMART Agriculture (£1500 prize)

Use of autonomous field robots for the monitoring of soil and plant conditions, to give a targeted response in terms of water, fertiliser or pest control, thereby minimising waste and creating food security. Interconnectivity and capacity were covered as well as development, future proofing and security.

Students participating were:

• Ameerul Bin Shahizam.

• Jack Maskell

• Anas Nazha

• Kane Dervan

• Conor Cullen

2nd Place) AMOS - 3D Construction (£1000 prize)

Autonomous on site construction system, using 3D technology to build floor by floor the vertical supports, by slip forming concrete columns, using plastic sleeving with pre-set rebar. Bringing in pre-formed concrete floor panels, and creating structures upto 20 floors high. Project gave an overview of the technology, costs and time-scales.

Students participating were:

• Katharine Jones

• Robert Langford

3rd Place) Reclaiming Energy From Sewers

Using a pre-existing technology to harvest waste heat energy from a major sewer outlet in Sheffield. Included a detailed understanding of the technology, site challenges and viability, as well as the wider impact on energy security and environmental issues. Consideration of ongoing maintenance costs, life span and payback were covered.

Students participating were:

• Jonah Easton

• Joe Oxley

• Oliver Kerton

All shortlisted teams are now eligible to enter the national EIB Champion of Champions Final, which will take place in October. Students have until 7th September to produce a video, a poster and a business canvas model. We wish them, the best of luck!