University of Coimbra student wins international competition

João Pedro Sousa Mota, a student at the Department of Mechanical Engineering (DEM) of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra (FCTUC) and a researcher at the Association for the Development of Industrial Aerodynamics (ADAI), has won the REHVA European Student Competition in Istanbul.

The work presented in the competition is based on the student's thesis, which is part of the DEM's Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering (Energy and Environment Branch) and focuses on optimising the acoustic performance of a pair of goggles for health workers. It is part of the VV4MC project involving DEM, the UC Faculty of Medicine, ADAI and SET S.A., part of the Iberomeoldes Group.

João Mota will represent Europe at the world competition in Seoul, South Korea, next June, competing against the winners of competitions held in China, South Korea, the United States of America, India and Japan. The Portuguese delegation is sponsored by the Air Conditioning Specialisation of the Ordem dos Engenheiros (Portuguese Engineers' Association).

In addition to the prize money, the winner will receive a trophy with his or her name engraved on it, which will remain in the possession of the national association that the student represented in the competition for the following year. The winner will also receive travel and accommodation expenses to the international conference venue where the World Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Student Competition will be held.

REHVA has organised this competition for the past two decades to honour and recognise the best European HVAC students. Entries to the competition can be on any heating, ventilation, or air conditioning topic and are based on master's or bachelor's theses.