Young Engineer wins prestigious Final

15 December 2004

Young Engineer wins prestigious IEE International Lecture Premiums Final for iTouch funded RFID project

Press release: iTouch Technology Solutions, Christchurch NZ, 15 December, 2004: iTouch Technology Solutions is proud to announce that its youngest electronics engineer, Jacob Mattingley, has won top recognition for his paper presentation on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology at the IEE Younger Members’ Conference in Birmingham UK.

The IEE (Institution of Electrical Engineers) - of which iTouch is also a member - is the largest professional engineering society in Europe, with a worldwide membership of over 120,000.

Every year iTouch Technology Solutions demonstrates its commitment to industry by providing professional work experience for Canterbury University engineering students.

Straight A student, Jacob Mattingley, who is also a young member of the IEE, first met with Director Grant Pugh of iTouch Technology Solutions three years ago to discuss a specific work placement project that would both develop his personal interest in electronics, wireless communications and design, and be of benefit to iTouch in the advancement of RFID technology.

Under the supervision of Mr Pugh and Canterbury University project supervisor Dr Lee Garth, Jacob helped investigate the potential of RFID in transport and logistics.

For his work Jacob was awarded the first prize in this year's local IEE Short Paper Evening, winning $100 and the opportunity to present his paper "RFID - why it is still coming" personally at last month’s IEE Younger Members’ Conference 2004 in Birmingham UK.

Jacob, 20, was one of only four speakers invited around the world to present their papers at the Conference Dinner. A panel of judges and the audience evaluated all speaker presentations, and Jacob’s RFID presentation was voted the best - awarding him top certificate of the IEE International Lecture Premiums Final and a prize of £300.

He is now working full time as Design Engineer at iTouch Technology Solutions and is responsible for a wide variety of tasks furthering iTouch’s RFID research and development.

“We are very happy that Jacob has been able to both share his interest and contribute towards our research and development. We are also thrilled that we have been able to contribute towards Jacob’s success and help him realise his ambitions,” says Mr Pugh.

Jacob is equally proud of his achievements. He says, “By working simultaneously within industry and education I’ve benefited from the best of both worlds. Having dual supervisors has been wonderful, as they provide different perspectives and help accelerate skill learning. RFID is very hot in the electrical engineering field and I am very keen to pursue further research in this area. There are lots of unanswered questions in this field, which makes it a good research challenge for investigating new techniques that may, say in 10 years time, see everyone communicating and working in a completely wireless world.”

Jacob will graduate in April with a First Class Honours Bachelor of Engineering degree from Canterbury University.

About iTouch Technology Solutions
iTouch Technology Solutions is the electronics product design arm of iTouch plc, a publicly listed company on the London Stock Exchange. We provide advanced technology design solutions for manufacture and develop innovative technologies that target new markets.
For information visit www.itouchmobility.com.

ENDS

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