NATIONAL STUDENTS COMPETITION

Transcription

1 SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS NATIONAL STUDENTS COMPETITION Thursday 24 November 2016 at the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus) Building N1a, Conference Room G02 The National Students Competition was held at the NWU (North West University) in Potchefstroom this year on the 24 November This event saw 8 different students competing for the National Students Competition award. All of the students had presented interesting and impressive gadgets and models of useful inventions and machinery. There were 5 judges for the competition: Stan Bridgens, TC Madikane, Wayne Fisher, Pascal Motsoasele & Andre Den

2 The morning had started off with the Opening of the competition by the Director of the School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Prof. George van Schoor, followed by a warm welcome and greeting by the SAIEE's President, T.C. Madikane. Prof. George van Schoor delivers a warm welcome to the judges and students of the National Students Competition.

3 SAIEE President T.C. Madikane delivers the official opening and welcome to students and judges. CEO of the SAIEE Stan Bridgens started proceedings by setting the scene for the students competing, as well as providing an introduction and explaining the rules to all who competed. All students and judges understood the process for the whole competition Stan Bridgens (CEO of the SAIEE) sets the scene for the competition, as well as explaining the rules.

4 University of Kwa-Zulu Natal The first competitor to diplay his model of the Magnetic Floating Disk was a gentleman by the name of Benard Bussy (B Sc Eng), representing the university at which he studies, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. The science and mechanics behind his display were very impressive. Bernard Bussy from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (B Sc Eng) begins his presentation of the Magnetic Floating Display and the apllications thereof. He included in his presentation a working model of the Magnetic Floating Display (below)

5 University of Johannesburg The next gentleman to show his presentation was Andrew Smith, of University of Johannesburg (B Sc Eng). His presentation involved the Indoor Flight Control and Stabilisation of an RC Helicopter Using a Static External Camera. Explaining to the judges the various practical and entrepreneurial applications of the above presentation, all in the room had been captivated by the presentation.

6 Andrew Smith of University of Johannesburg (B Sc Eng) tells judges and fellow competitors of the application and uses for his presentation Stellenbosch University The next student to show his presentation was Giles Maybery of Stellenbosch University (B Sc Eng). His presentation involved the Design and Fabrication of a Paper-Based Biosensor. Along with visual aides, Giles explained the application and uses of the Paper-Based Biosensor, as well as practical uses for now and in the future. As judges look on, Giles Maybury begins his presentation of the Paper-Based Biosensor

7 Judges Wayne Fisher (left), Andre Denobili (centre) and Stan Bridgens (right) ask Giles important questions about his presentation Tshwane University of Technology The next student to present himself was Philip Motloung from the Thswane University of Technology (B Tech Eng). His presentation involved the Design of a Control Circuit for 110v/132Kv Voltage Transormer. As well as being very in-depth, his presentation was very insightful into the process of designing the Control Circuit as well as the importance and benefits for

8 Philip Motloung explains the importance of study and benefits to students of his Control Circuit Design. University of Cape Town Bradley Stocks, representing the University of Cape Town, had an interesting presentation titled "Cheetah Motion Analysis - Tracking the Cheetah Spine Using Animal-borne Cameras and a Wireless IMU Sensor Network". Along with video and information/picture based aides, he had explained how he had hoped his presentation and idea could be used to track the motion of animals turning and running, as well as being able to use it in various other applications.

9 Bradley Stocks (University of Cape Town) explains to judges and fellow competitiors the basis and importance of his presentation Lunch Break After Bradley Stocks had finished his presentation, the competitors and judges took a short intermission for lunch, where food and drinks were served in the foyer. Afterwards, the competition had resumed.

10 North West University The next student to present his idea was Brinco Neethling of North West University. Brinco had come up with the idea of an Automatic Cupcake Piper, the idea being formulated from an elderly woman's inability to carry on with her only source of income in the cupcake making business following a stroke. Complete with a working model of the Automatic Cupcake Piper, Brinco succesfully explained the operation and uses of the machine in its entirety. Brinco Neethling starts his presentation for his Automatic Cupcake Piper. He included in his presentation a working version of the Automatic Cupcake Piper.

11 Brinco Neethling explains to the judges the system he had developed for the Automatic Cupcake Piper, and how it can be programmed to make different patterns. University of Witwatersrand The final presentation for the day was done by two students from the University of Witwatersrand, Ronen Freeman and Devin Taylor. Their presentation involved a Platform to Test and Accelerometer-based Modulated Artificial Horizon Sytem for Countering Motion Sickness. They had a detailed explanation as well as all the relevant slides to show and demonstrate how they had planned to end the common issue of motion sickness with their model.

12 Ronen Freeman (above) and Devlin Taylor (below) present their idea for an Accelerometer-based Artificial Horizon System for Countering Motion Sickness Pictured above, judges and competitors look on as Devin and Ronen give their presentation

13 Judges Decisions and Awards Ceremony After the final presentation had been given, judges took minutes to adjudicate on who best deserved the award for the National Students Competition. It was almost too close to call, as all the students who had delivered their presentations had done such excellent jobs. But at the end of the short intermission the five judges had decided on an over-all winner, as well as two discretionary prizes and attendance awards and prizes for the other students. All the competitiors of the National Student Competition pose with the SAIEE President, T.C. Madikane From left to right: Giles Maybery, Brinco Neethling, Bernard Bussy, Andrew Smith, SAIEE President T.C. Madikane, Bradley Stocks, Philip Motloung, Devin Taylor and Ronen Freeman

14 The Winner of the National Students Competition The winner of the 2016 National Students Competition Main Award was Brinco Neethling of North West University. His model and presentation for the Automatic Cupcake Piper had ticked all of the boxes with the judges, and impressed all who had attended on the day. The SAIEE, as well as all the judges who had attended, would like to congratulate Brinco on such a fine presentation. The North West University must be extremely proud to have such an intelligent student attending their school. Brinco Neethling accepts his award from the president of the SAIEE, T.C. Madikane

15 As well as the main award, there were two Discretionary Awards handed out. These went out to Bernard Bussy from University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, and Bradley Stocks from University of Cape Town. Bernard Bussy (above) and Bradley Stocks (below) accept their discretionary prizes from the President of the SAIEE, T.C. Madikane.