The hook lay in having the freedom to conduct my own project. I also treasured the opportunity to understand the inner workings of a small engineering start-up.

Changyue Liang

Changyue Liang

“I am a third-year Engineering student at Sidney Sussex College, currently studying manufacturing engineering at the Institute of Manufacturing. After university, my goal is to work in areas such as operations, logistics and technical consulting. I am a very hands-on person who prioritises being able to solve problems and get things done. 

“Applying to Archipelago came after seeing an advert that was posted by the Department's Industrial Placements team. The hook lay in having the freedom to conduct my own project. I also treasured the opportunity to understand the inner workings of a small engineering start-up.”

Changyue's Powerdrop assignment

“When I first joined Archipelago, I was initially assigned a project to characterise the Powerdrop Compact – a half-scale reproduction of the Powerdrop coater.  This project was completed by week four, despite having to spend multiple days fighting a flowmeter! 

“After this, I was given another project – to understand the fluid flows in the Powerdrop coater. It was up to me to decide what experiments needed to be done and how I would go about completing them. In the next four weeks of my internship, I acquired vast amounts of knowledge about cameras, light and high-speed imaging. I also went positively insane counting dots to collect data, despite my best efforts to design other programmes and methods to complete the task for me!

Photo above: Changyue (left) and colleague looking at a video of the Powerdrop coating. Credit: Archipelago Technology

“Outside of the two projects assigned specifically to me, I also helped with one other project. Through this, I was able to very effectively develop my skills of coming up with alternative solutions to problems. In my final week, I was assigned the task of training Bede. This experience was immensely valuable as it enabled me to hone my skills in communication and management.”

Inclusion, support and fun

One of Changyue’s favourite parts of Archipelago was the people. “We ate lunch together every day and used that time to constantly chat and interrogate one another. I also drank far, far too many hot chocolates and vanilla lattes (paid for by Archipelago!). As a result, I felt like I really got to know the team. 

“One direct impact of this was that I felt very comfortable going to others for advice and support and brainstorming together to collectively solve problems. I also loved being able to pop in on multiple projects and learn what everyone was working on. The amount of knowledge I could gather just by talking to others about their work was immense.

“I also have to mention the company-funded day out to the Duxford Airfield. A group of engineers being let loose in a place full of interesting machinery and equipment is a sight to see!”

Enhancing skills and acumen

During her time at Archipelago, Changyue was able to improve her skills in many areas of engineering. “I was able to work on designing and soldering circuits and cables, studying and comparing properties of various materials, fluid mechanics, manufacturing techniques – such as SLA and SLS – as well as 3D printing and design. 

“One of the main takeaways from my time at Archipelago was all the processes involved in keeping a company running smoothly and safely. Tasks are all completed as efficiently and effectively as possible. At the same time, all documents are kept organised, and paper trails are maintained.

“From my experience at Archipelago, I was able to confirm that I definitely wanted to solve problems for a career. I also didn’t want to ever have to do anything involving large amounts of counting small things again!”

Archipelago Technology

Archipelago Technology – founded in 2012 in Cambridge, UK – specialises in non-contact, low-waste industrial coating. The company uses its PowerdropTM technology to apply waterproof coatings to 3D paper and fibre-based containers to replace plastic food packaging with a sustainable, recyclable alternative. The company is keen to create interest and opportunities for young people in the printing industry.

Every year, Archipelago Technology selects a small number of students to work for four to eight weeks during the summer. Each student is given a project which is of strategic importance to the company. They are paid and treated as full-time employees and seated right in the centre of the technical team. The scheme works well for them and for Archipelago.

The Department of Engineering Industrial Placements team supports current undergraduate students as they search and apply for summer internships. The team works closely with employers to promote vacancies and encourage applications for their internship opportunities, whilst developing lasting partnerships with companies. To find out more, email Joe Goddard, Industrial Placements Co-ordinator, at placements-coordinator@eng.cam.ac.uk