Find out more
For Fabian R – Year 9 pupil and budding engineer – Wellington’s Malim Prize gave him just the opportunity he had been looking for to research and then implement his dream of building a Stirling engine. The competition, where all pupils complete a cross-curricular research project on a topic of their choice, is designed to help them develop their independent learning skills.
Fabian had been interested in Stirling engines for some time and in particular their ability to meet environmental requirements by using various heat sources and combustion chambers, and their consistency with linear electric machines. In order to design and then build his engine, Fabian needed to learn how to utilise 3D printing to make, and then test, a variety of pistons and crank shafts. In total, and not including thinking time, Fabian spent over 20 hours on his project before he was satisfied that he had managed to create a fully operational and efficient engine. In the future he hopes to invent a new Stirling engine that could be used in a variety of appliances, and maybe even take the place of conventional internal combustion engines: he says he already has ideas how to improve energy efficiency and that he dreams of becoming the chief designer of his own company making luxury Stirling-powered cars.
Fabian’s talents are not simply confined to engineering though. Alongside his academic studies, he takes LAMDA lessons, plays the piano, organ, and euphonium, is a keen member of the Robotics and Engineering Societies, and is a talented marksman with international aspirations. As he says, Wellington provides just about everything you could possibly imagine on the co-curricular front, as well as encouraging the pupils to dream and reach beyond conventional academic horizons.
Congratulations Fabian, and the best of luck with your future projects – watch this space, Elon Musk!
