Top engineers recognised at IET Achievement Awards

One of this year’s most significant awards, the Mountbatten Medal, goes to Alan Weinberg for his significant contribution to space power systems. Weinberg spent 23 years working as a senior power electronics engineer at the European Space Agency. During this period, he invented many new concepts in power electronics, the most important being conductance control voltage regulation and the sequential switching shunt regulator (S3R) for the control of solar cell arrays. He is also the inventor of the Weinberg converter, which is used in many space applications including the International Space Station.

On winning his award, Alan said: “I am truly honoured and thankful to receive this distinguished recognition from the IET. I was privileged to play a part in the development of Space Satellite Systems that will continue to provide many benefits for mankind. The award also recognises the contribution made by others in my field.”

Shu Yuen Ron Hui received the JJ Thomson Medal for his groundbreaking work in wireless charging technology. His innovations led to the creation of the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) in 2008 and the launch of the Qi wireless charging standard in 2010. Thanks to Hui’s inventions, Energizer introduced the first wireless charging pad in 2011. Today, wireless charging pads are standard or optional in most cars, available in airports and trains, and since 2017, all major smartphone brands, including Apple, offer Qi-compatible devices.

He said: “I am deeply honoured to receive the JJ Thomson Medal and yet humbled to be listed among so many distinguished former recipients. Power electronics is an enabling technology for many applications. I am delighted that modern wireless charging technologies have found many applications ranging from portable consumer electronics, medical implants, robotics for industrial manufacturing and health care, kitchen appliances and electric vehicles. This award will stimulate more researchers working to engineer a better world.”

The IET Achievement Awards exist to recognise individuals from all over the world who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of engineering, technology and science in any sector. This can be through research and development in their respective technical field or through their leadership of an enterprise.

Other notable winners include:

• Mike Davies, a Professor at the University of Edinburgh, has been awarded the IET Achievement Medal in Signal Processing. Renowned globally, his work in signal processing, applied mathematics, and machine learning has significantly advanced technologies like synthetic aperture radar, lidar, and medical imaging. His expertise in time series analysis, independent component analysis, and sparse approximation has been pivotal.
• Richard Harris has been awarded the IET Achievement Medal in Education Technology. An inspirational teacher at Raynes Park High School, London, he has made significant contributions to education through his dedication to design and technology. Harris creatively uses AR and VR in schools to spark students’ curiosity. Beyond the classroom, he has inspired students by presenting at the BAFTA Young Game Awards, collaborating with the Warhammer Fest team, and hosting an international design competition with Hasbro. He has also partnered with the Stemettes to encourage girls to pursue STEM careers.

IET President Warren East CBE said: “We’re honoured to present these talented individuals with our Achievement Awards. They have each excelled in their professions and they have made vast contributions as pioneers across the engineering and technology industry. From our medallists to our talented apprentice and technician winners, they should all be rightly proud of their achievements – they are incredible role models for the next generation.”

Declan Larkin is named the IET’s Engineering and Technology Apprentice winner; Warrant Officer Matthew Fields wins the IET’s Armed Forces Technician Award; and Joseph Macari is the winner of the IET’s Engineering and Technology Technician Award.

The Achievement Awards are part of the IET’s Awards and Scholarships programme, which celebrate excellence and research in the sector and encourage the next generation of engineers and technicians. All IET awards seek to inspire and reward engineering excellence, including apprentices at the start of their careers, through to reputable, established professional engineers and technicians.