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| Media Release Waikato Engineering Students win IPENZ Award Engineering students from Waikato University are The Institution of Professional
Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) joint-winners of the 2005 Student Design
Award for their Manufacturing Hemp Composites study. Aaron Jonassen, Andrew Morrison, Jonathan Saunders and Nicola Withington undertook research into the feasibility of producing composites from locally grown hemp plants. Aaron, Andrew, Jonathan, and Nicola cultivated a trial plantation in the Waikato and researched methods of crop harvesting, conditioning, handling, treatment and methods of digestion and production of the fibre, including laboratory testing and evaluation of the fibre before then making composite resin-based materials. After harvesting their production run they tested and compared results from samples of Hemp from England, China and New Zealand. Results were positive, with the New Zealand hemp proving to be better quality that the Chinese sample; however, it was beaten in strength by the English sample. The IPENZ Student Design is an annual award that recognises engineering excellence at the student level, and rewards innovation and entrepreneurial potential. It is designed to encourage students to combine and stretch their knowledge and skills in innovative and entrepreneurial ways and apply them to their design work in an enterprising context. In judging the award consideration was given to the project design, the business case and the presentation and communication of ideas. The award consists of a trophy, cash prize and certificate/s. There is
a total prize pool of $3000 ($2000 for the winner and $500 for each of
the two runners-up).
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