Students fly flag for Ireland at European science awards

TWO IRISH students have flown the flag for the smart economy by picking up acclaimed international awards for their scientific research.

This year’s BT Young Scientist of the Year, Alexander Amini, from Castleknock College in Dublin, was picked from 130 contestants from 37 countries as the EU Young Scientist of the Year.

But he isn’t the only student making waves on the international stage.

A 22-year-old Cork Institute of Technology student was named Best European Mechanical Engineering Student 2011 at the awards in London.

Final-year student Rian Edman was one of three finalists in the Babcock Award for mechanical engineering. He is the first institute of technology student to be shortlisted for the award.

Meanwhile, Alexander, 16, was in Helsinki with his sensor-based computer software that is strapped to a tennis players wrist allowing much improved analysis of strokes.

The Leaving Certificate student said he was overjoyed at the winning the prize. “I’ve had approaches from a number of companies in countries like Spain, France and Italy and it’s not just tennis, people involved in hockey, baseball and softball are also interested.

“The medical sector is also interested, it could be used for rehabilitation, helping people who have had accidents or strokes.”

Rian, who is due to graduate from CIT in November and intends doing a PhD, was awarded for his work on improving the performance of a six-stroke engine by harnessing heat lost through exhaust fumes.

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn praised his achievement. “He has competed, and been successful, at the highest level and is a credit to himself, his family and to the calibre of graduate being produced by CIT.”