We are working closely or in partnerships with our key global customers to develop technology & systems for future networks & power systems.
From an early age Sean had passion for all aspects of science & engineering, readily encouraged by his parents, schoolteachers & the legacy of a grandfather who had been a senior Engineer on Spitfire. As a Raychem/TE apprentice he quickly got involved in the design & compounding of material formulations for a wide range of different applications including aerospace, military, telecom, automotive, etc. These hands-on practical years taught him the value of designing materials for performance & manufacturing, in conjunction with the in-depth material science needed to enhance the performance & longevity of materials for harsh environments. On moving to the Energy BU his research efforts involve next generation silicone elastomers & the design of electrically tracking resistant, hydrophobic (water shedding) outdoor materials, for joining, terminating & insulating power cable accessories. In addition, exposure to key Energy customers & a keen interest in analytical science led to his ‘crime scene investigation’ role for failure analysis of customer returns & problem-solving skills using Kepler Tregoe (KT) methodology. For Sean, to successfully & effectively lead a problem-solving team requires a practical, factual, engineering approach with the curiosity to keep asking the difficult questions, to fully understand the process /materials & the issue.
Which Power Industry challenges are you working to solve?
Now our team are focused on next generation materials /products for power cable accessories to join, terminate, insulate, protect & environmentally seal electrical power cables. The aim is to work with our customers to increase the reliability of global power networks in harsh environments. We are currently designing new high-performance products that are easier to install, use less components, range taking, cost effective, & able to perform globally in harsh environments. These new designs involve complex multilayer composite products with each individual layer offering high mechanical performance but differing electrical functionality such as conducting, insulating, electrically stress controlling & environmental sealing essential for power cables.
Which technology trends & engineering projects are you watching? Why?
It is crucial for us to stay up to date with the key changes going on in the power sector with our customers networks, as these factors (below) are likely to make the most impact on the industry & our future developments;
- The worldwide drive to move to electrical vehicles (EV) & other electric transport future opportunities for products/technologies needed in rapidly expanding EV charging station infrastructure.
- Move to cleaner, renewable energy such as offshore wind, solar, wave power, etc that provide very interestingly challenges for power connection products & often exposed to harsh environments.
- Digitalization is moving into the power industry with smart metering already common in many countries. There is a desire by the utilities & governments to improve network reliability/efficiency by remotely monitoring networks/products & to protect networks from cyber-attack.
- Large scale efficient, energy storage for the grid is receiving a lot of attention & government incentives for the future
- Industrialization & urbanisation of developing economies offers big opportunities for high volume, cost effective cable accessory products, insulators & surge arrestors.
Finally, as a material person I am always looking for SMART materials & technology to improve TE products & our customer experience.
What is TE is doing to enable technological innovation in the power industry?
We are working closely or in partnerships with our key global customers to develop technology & systems for future networks & power systems. We also have a strong technical representation on industrial standards committees/working groups such as IEC, IEEE & CIGRE where our customers, suppliers & competition work together to understand & the future market, testing methodology & technology needed.
Our senior engineers are now taking responsibility for our technology road maps to drive our future technology with our customers.
Our engineers are looking to develop new materials & technologies for cost effective products, offering simple, user-friendly installation, with smart monitoring capability for improved product & grid reliability in harsh environments. For these developments we are using our vast engineering experience in combination of many tools such as design of experimentation, modelling/simulation & 3D printing for rapid prototyping techniques.
Furthermore, our close links with our customers & our experience allows us to respond to our customer needs to develop new flame retarded materials to react to the more frequent wildfires around the globe.
Which projects have been the most gratifying to work on? Why?
Innovation of new products, technologies & materials are always satisfying especially when they are launched on the market. I also find it extremely rewarding to be involved in a challenging issue in operations or at the customer where you can use your experience, scientific background & problem-solving methodology to fully understand & solve a production issue or customer’s problem.
Which skills & knowledge would you like to pass on to younger engineers?
Today young engineers have many opportunities to use fantastic simulation tools, prototyping & technology in their roles, which we could only dream of a few years ago. However, for me it’s important to convey to our younger engineers a passion & enthusiasm for science/engineering plus the necessity to apply a simple, methodical approach to all challenges. In addition, the need to provide a supportive, reassuring environment for our junior staff for them to understand that mistakes & failures are natural during development. Then to use these disappointments as a great learning opportunity to improve oneself & for innovation. Finally, it’s important to demonstrate to them that science & technology should be fun & fulfilling.
Who has made an impact on who you are today?
My parents have always made a massive impact on my life at work & at home showing me the importance of doing my best, not giving up when things are tough & the need to contribute as part of a team. In addition, I have been very lucky to have top role models/scientists at school, University & in work that have supported, encouraged & challenge me throughout my career, to help my personal development. Lastly my wife has always encouraged me to continue my higher degree studies(x2), stay late to finish those key experiments & to travel for TE even when we had young children & time was very precious.
What influenced your decision to become an engineer?
I have always been fascinated by how things work & technology from an early age & was awed by the power & technology of Concorde in its test flight years close to home. Getting the offer of an apprenticeship (with sponsored degree) for a prestigious material science company straight from school was a no brain decision, especially at the time I wasn’t quite sure of what field of science was best for me. This quickly allowed me to develop my confidence, practical & theoretical skills plus exposed me to the many aspects & roles of a big multinational engineering/technology business. It became quickly clear that my natural passion & interest was for materials engineering.
We are working closely or in partnerships with our key global customers to develop technology & systems for future networks & power systems.
From an early age Sean had passion for all aspects of science & engineering, readily encouraged by his parents, schoolteachers & the legacy of a grandfather who had been a senior Engineer on Spitfire. As a Raychem/TE apprentice he quickly got involved in the design & compounding of material formulations for a wide range of different applications including aerospace, military, telecom, automotive, etc. These hands-on practical years taught him the value of designing materials for performance & manufacturing, in conjunction with the in-depth material science needed to enhance the performance & longevity of materials for harsh environments. On moving to the Energy BU his research efforts involve next generation silicone elastomers & the design of electrically tracking resistant, hydrophobic (water shedding) outdoor materials, for joining, terminating & insulating power cable accessories. In addition, exposure to key Energy customers & a keen interest in analytical science led to his ‘crime scene investigation’ role for failure analysis of customer returns & problem-solving skills using Kepler Tregoe (KT) methodology. For Sean, to successfully & effectively lead a problem-solving team requires a practical, factual, engineering approach with the curiosity to keep asking the difficult questions, to fully understand the process /materials & the issue.
Which Power Industry challenges are you working to solve?
Now our team are focused on next generation materials /products for power cable accessories to join, terminate, insulate, protect & environmentally seal electrical power cables. The aim is to work with our customers to increase the reliability of global power networks in harsh environments. We are currently designing new high-performance products that are easier to install, use less components, range taking, cost effective, & able to perform globally in harsh environments. These new designs involve complex multilayer composite products with each individual layer offering high mechanical performance but differing electrical functionality such as conducting, insulating, electrically stress controlling & environmental sealing essential for power cables.
Which technology trends & engineering projects are you watching? Why?
It is crucial for us to stay up to date with the key changes going on in the power sector with our customers networks, as these factors (below) are likely to make the most impact on the industry & our future developments;
- The worldwide drive to move to electrical vehicles (EV) & other electric transport future opportunities for products/technologies needed in rapidly expanding EV charging station infrastructure.
- Move to cleaner, renewable energy such as offshore wind, solar, wave power, etc that provide very interestingly challenges for power connection products & often exposed to harsh environments.
- Digitalization is moving into the power industry with smart metering already common in many countries. There is a desire by the utilities & governments to improve network reliability/efficiency by remotely monitoring networks/products & to protect networks from cyber-attack.
- Large scale efficient, energy storage for the grid is receiving a lot of attention & government incentives for the future
- Industrialization & urbanisation of developing economies offers big opportunities for high volume, cost effective cable accessory products, insulators & surge arrestors.
Finally, as a material person I am always looking for SMART materials & technology to improve TE products & our customer experience.
What is TE is doing to enable technological innovation in the power industry?
We are working closely or in partnerships with our key global customers to develop technology & systems for future networks & power systems. We also have a strong technical representation on industrial standards committees/working groups such as IEC, IEEE & CIGRE where our customers, suppliers & competition work together to understand & the future market, testing methodology & technology needed.
Our senior engineers are now taking responsibility for our technology road maps to drive our future technology with our customers.
Our engineers are looking to develop new materials & technologies for cost effective products, offering simple, user-friendly installation, with smart monitoring capability for improved product & grid reliability in harsh environments. For these developments we are using our vast engineering experience in combination of many tools such as design of experimentation, modelling/simulation & 3D printing for rapid prototyping techniques.
Furthermore, our close links with our customers & our experience allows us to respond to our customer needs to develop new flame retarded materials to react to the more frequent wildfires around the globe.
Which projects have been the most gratifying to work on? Why?
Innovation of new products, technologies & materials are always satisfying especially when they are launched on the market. I also find it extremely rewarding to be involved in a challenging issue in operations or at the customer where you can use your experience, scientific background & problem-solving methodology to fully understand & solve a production issue or customer’s problem.
Which skills & knowledge would you like to pass on to younger engineers?
Today young engineers have many opportunities to use fantastic simulation tools, prototyping & technology in their roles, which we could only dream of a few years ago. However, for me it’s important to convey to our younger engineers a passion & enthusiasm for science/engineering plus the necessity to apply a simple, methodical approach to all challenges. In addition, the need to provide a supportive, reassuring environment for our junior staff for them to understand that mistakes & failures are natural during development. Then to use these disappointments as a great learning opportunity to improve oneself & for innovation. Finally, it’s important to demonstrate to them that science & technology should be fun & fulfilling.
Who has made an impact on who you are today?
My parents have always made a massive impact on my life at work & at home showing me the importance of doing my best, not giving up when things are tough & the need to contribute as part of a team. In addition, I have been very lucky to have top role models/scientists at school, University & in work that have supported, encouraged & challenge me throughout my career, to help my personal development. Lastly my wife has always encouraged me to continue my higher degree studies(x2), stay late to finish those key experiments & to travel for TE even when we had young children & time was very precious.
What influenced your decision to become an engineer?
I have always been fascinated by how things work & technology from an early age & was awed by the power & technology of Concorde in its test flight years close to home. Getting the offer of an apprenticeship (with sponsored degree) for a prestigious material science company straight from school was a no brain decision, especially at the time I wasn’t quite sure of what field of science was best for me. This quickly allowed me to develop my confidence, practical & theoretical skills plus exposed me to the many aspects & roles of a big multinational engineering/technology business. It became quickly clear that my natural passion & interest was for materials engineering.
