Thomas Hooper

Background

About Thomas Hooper

From a young age, I have been captivated by the mechanics of complex machines. While I appreciate their visual design, my real satisfaction lies in understanding how they operate. This passion led me to pursue a career in engineering, supported early on by an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship sponsored by the RAF. I have recently graduated with a First-Class Bachelor's (Hons) Degree in Mechanical Engineering, equipping me with the technical expertise and problem-solving skills essential for a future career in engineering. I am driven by the challenge of applying engineering principles to innovate and solve complex mechanical problems. My Mechanical Engineering course included a first-class mark for my dissertation project focused on robotic design. In this project, I designed and 3D-printed components for a robotic arm, with a particular emphasis design on the points of motion, incorporating cycloidal drives. The dissertation also included detailed CAD models, drawings, and finite element analysis (FEA) for structural components. Another significant Engineering Design module involved designing a wind turbine, where I utilised Fusion 360 to create a functional turbine and performed FEA alongside structural integrity calculations. Further calculations were used to estimate power outputs, the bearing life, and overall efficiency. My course included comprehensive examinations in thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, engineering mechanics, and structural mechanics. Additionally, I have completed modules in experimental mechanics, modelling and simulation, and a simulation module using CFD Fluent ANSYS to model airflow dynamics.