Member Article

Future looks bright for design graduate

A partnership that brings the best academic minds together with industry has seen a young graduate secure a place at a North East advanced manufacturing firm.

Pete Hunt has joined Blyth-based Solar Capture Technologies as part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Northumbria University, Newcastle.

Under the KTP, the 23 year old Product Design graduate will work with the Solar Capture Technologies team on developing concepts for utilising energy from sunlight.

“This technology lends itself to so many applications but the challenge facing the industry is in harnessing the energy in a manner which enables it to be deployed on a commercial scale,” explained Pete.

“I’ve been given this fantastic opportunity to work with the Solar Capture Technologies team and experts from the Northumbria University’s Design School on developing product designs to fully exploit this truly sustainable energy source.”

Solar Capture Technologies specialises in the research, development and production of photovoltaic systems, harnessing sunlight to provide sustainable energy for a range of end-uses. Chief Executive Steve Caseley is delighted to have Pete working with his team, commenting:

“Having captured the energy from sunlight, the next challenge is in transferring it to a power source such as a rechargeable battery. With Pete’s help and under the guidance of the University’s Design School, we are looking at product designs that maximise efficiency while at the same time are robust and if necessary, visually attractive.”

Pete, who graduated with a 2:1 degree from London’s Brunel University, will start his work at Solar Capture Technologies by looking at potential applications in the transport sector. “Solar technology is an ideal energy solution for road and rail track signage and remote telecommunications equipment,” he said. “However the technology needs to be available in a form that can withstand all weathers and the usual wear and tear. It’s a great piece of work for me to get started on and I’m really excited by the potential of the project.”

KTPs are intended to facilitate the transfer of knowledge through projects undertaken by high calibre, recently qualified people under joint supervision from a company and an academic institution. Funded by the UK’s innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board, KTPs also provide the participating graduate with the opportunity to take their first career steps.

Matthew Lievesley, Reader at Northumbria University, said: “Design at Northumbria is well known particularly through our international Alumni, but we also work with many of the great organisations in the North East. In our partnership with Solar Capture Technologies we will be helping to establish design as a key function in the company as well as developing new product ranges for specific markets.”

Dr Stuart English is a specialist in design-led innovation and is part of the university team supporting the project. He said: “When we think about design we are often thinking in terms of well-designed products, clothing or promotional literature. In fact, design is really a process for creating and testing ideas that don’t yet exist. It helps organisations to be original, to innovate new value and set themselves apart from their competitors.”

Through the KTP, Pete, who is originally from Manchester but now lives in Blyth, will work with Solar Capture Technologies for 21 months.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Round Table Solutions Ltd .