A Lancaster University Engineering student has scooped the top prize in a presenting competition organised by a prestigious professional body.

Simon Vecten, PhD researcher in Lancaster University’s Engineering Department, achieved 1^st Prize in the Present Around The World (PATW) competition organised by the regional Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) group.

Designed for young professionals and researchers within engineering, this contest focuses on developing strong presentation skills.

Mr Vecten impressed judges with his presentation entitled “An Innovative Waste-to-Energy Technology: Microwave Plasma Gasification”. His talk described how this innovative technology could be used to help develop a more sustainable economy and highlighted the promising progress achieved at lab scale during his PhD research.

This research project is a collaboration between Stopford Energy & Environment and the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation at Lancaster University. Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation is a nationally award winning initiative which undertakes research and development with a business focus.

Dr Ben Herbert, Technology & Innovation Director at Stopford Energy & Environment says, “This is a great achievement by Simon, whose work has been invaluable in the development of our plasma gasification technology, a process which will enable the conversion of waste, at point of generation, into low-carbon energy.”

Mr Vecten now progresses to the national stage of the competition, which takes place around Easter 2020, representing Lancashire and Cumbria

You can find out more about his research by watching this short summary film.