Aerospace Alumni Awards and Lecture

Bookings for this event have now closed, if you would like to attend please email alumni@cranfield.ac.uk. 

We are delighted to invite alumni to the inaugural Aerospace Alumni Awards Presentation and Lecture. 

In partnership with the Cranfield College of Aeronautics Alumni Association (CCAAA), the Cranfield Aerospace Alumni Awards recognise special achievements and contributions of alumni, while providing Cranfield with an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate those in the aerospace sector who exemplify the values of University. Alumni awards also allow us to showcase the impact of Cranfield globally and highlight the accomplishments of individuals who may serve as role models to other alumni, students and potential students.

The 2020 Alumni Award winners are:

Distinguished Aerospace Alumni Award: Dr Sarah Qureshi (MSc Research in the School of Engineering 2008, PhD Aerospace 2016), CEO & Co-founder Aero Engine Craft Private Limited and Visiting Academic, SATM, Cranfield University

Excellence in Achievement for Recent Aerospace Graduates Award: Marcos Acin Gonzalez (MSc Aerospace Vehicle Design 2014) Stress Analysis Expert, NASA AMES Research Center

This event is an opportunity to celebrate and recognise this years award winners as well as hear from our 2020 Distinguished Aerospace Alumni Award winner who will be discussing Contrail-free Aero-Engines.

Further details about the Aerospace Awards can be found here. 

Please do book onto this event to secure you place and to receive the Zoom link one day prior to the event date. 

The Aerospace Alumni Awards and Lecture is taking place in Cranfield’s Aerospace and Aviation Week (16-20 November), where you will have the opportunity to hear from faculty and alumni sharing their knowledge and expertise while reflecting on how the aviation industry has previously recovered from disruptions, looking at the future of aerospace, and recognising our Aerospace and Aviation Alumni Award Winners. 

If you are having any issues accessing your alumni account please email alumni@cranfield.ac.uk and we will be happy to help.

Programme & speakers

Contrail-free Aero-Engines

Contrail-free aero-engines for the reduction of global warming and to induce artificial rain during aircraft flight through on-board water recovery from fuel emissions; creating a vision of the future for the aviation industry whereby it can not only reduce aviation induced global warming but also adopt an approach to treat the fuel emissions as a resource. A revolutionary technology is employed that eliminates contrails at source and recovers water from fuel exhaust emissions as a net positive product. This is a true definition of a disruptive technology; a global first attempt to create water within the aero-engine from the exhaust plume during flight, carry it aboard and release it as rainfall prior to landing. The product is a low cost alternative to aero-engine redesign, and offers revenue potential to the aviation industry while solving a crucial environmental challenge. 

The core technology is based on the research outcome of a PhD study conducted by Dr. Sarah Qureshi at the Propulsion Centre, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Cranfield University UK in collaboration with the inventor of the technology Mr. Masood Latif Qureshi. Aero Engine Craft is set up to convert this patented technology into a full scale commercial application ready to be used by modern civil transport aircraft. The business is modelled as a circular economy creating value for global engine manufacturers, aircraft manufacturers and airlines by providing compliance to environmental standards and revenue through emission trading and artificial rainfall. Aero Engine Craft aims to mark the beginning of the first contrail-free aircraft flight in the world! 

Location & travel details

Online via Zoom. 

Who should attend

All alumni, students and faculty are welcome to attend.

Cost & concessions

This event is free to attend.