The sky's the limit

Laurie Dart at the Purdue School of Aeronautics and Astronautics

When Laurie Dart enrolled at UQ, he never imagined that his university experience would include undertaking a research project at UQ’s Centre for Hypersonic’s and the Purdue School of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Mr Dart, who is currently completing his fourth year of a Bachelor of Engineering at UQ, had his first taste of research at Purdue University (USA), as a UQ Abroad exchange student in 2011.

“While I was on exchange, I participated in a research project on supersonic combustion with a professor at the prestigious Purdue School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the home of many astronauts, including Neil Armstrong,” Mr Dart said.

When Laurie returned to UQ, he was keen to continue to work with researchers in the field of hypersonic research and he immediately applied to participate in the pilot UQ Winter Research Program.

The program, introduced in 2012 by the Office of Undergraduate Education, provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to work on a project in a formal research setting for 4 to 6 weeks during the mid-semester break. All participants also receive a weekly stipend.

“For my winter research project, I conducted a thermodynamic cycle analysis on a scramjet operating at Mach 8.

“I was able to analyse ground testing data of the scramjet to determine performance parameters of the engine, such as the fuel mass flow rate and combustion efficiency.”

“Participating in the program has given me a better idea of what I want to do with my engineering degree once I graduate.

“If you are considering continuing your study with a research higher degree, this is the perfect opportunity for you to get a taste of research, get paid for it, and have the whole experience count towards vac-work,” Mr Dart said

In 2013, Laurie will commence work as a Graduate Engineer with Boeing Aerostructures Australia.

Originally published in Learning at UQ

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