Harry Chapman

What is your current job / programme of study?

Doctoral Student at the Mechanical Engineering Department of University College London 

What A-Levels (or equivalent) did you do? 

I Did Chemistry, Physics, Maths, and Further Maths 

Why did you chose a career in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)? 

During my chemistry A-level equivalent, I had to do a presentation beyond the syllabus, and I gave a presentation on the evolution of materials in NASA space suits, after which my teacher suggested I look at materials science as an option for a university degree, and after looking into it I thought it was perfect! 

What did you enjoy most about your MSE course? (If you didn’t do a MSE course which course did you do and what led to you MSE?) 

I really enjoyed the practical work in my course, especially when it comes to metallurgy, which is not something you really get exposed to at school, or many other courses at university. 

What is your research about?  

I work on 3D metal printing, and improving the results of the process to make manufacturing and repair more viable. 

What is the coolest thing you have done in your career so far?  

I quite regularly utilise Synchrotron Radiation Sources, which are intensely cool, incredibly complicated pieces of equipment. I am always part of a team when operating the equipment, but there is something very cool about using a multi-billion pound piece of equipment. 

What do you see yourself doing in the future? 

I am not quite sure about what I want to do in the future. I love using my technical skills and conducting original research, but I also love working with people, and having a more direct immediate impact. 

What is your favourite material (and why)?  

My favourite materials are nickel superalloys, as they are an excellent example of material design, and how materials science can be really useful, and can push material properties to the extreme. 

What advice would you give your 16-year-old self? 

I was not a very good student when I was 16 (and arguably still not that great)! I would tell myself not to worry, but also to work on working in a more regular pattern, and having better time management. 

Links 

LinkedIn