Farewell Interview: Benjamin Filippi

After spending almost three years at TRICEP working for ANFF Materials and the University of Wollongong (UOW), Design Engineer Benjamin Filippi bids farewell to take on a new challenge in the space of mechatronics.

You’ve been a Design Engineer at TRICEP. Could you tell us a bit more about this and your job involved throughout your time?

As a design engineer, I worked with internal and external collaborators on a range of different projects, primarily focused on bioprinting and 3Dprinting.

This involved figuring out unique solutions to challenges such as cartilage regeneration, eye regeneration, skin healing and printing, cell retrieval, and a range of different other projects. As I was also working for ANFF, I helped support the research happening at UOW and other collaborators, including developing solutions for solar cells, 3D printed corals, drug delivery for cancer research, water splitting, 3D printing with ANSTO, Titanium printing of jewelry and so on – there are too many projects to list!

As a design engineer within the group, I would spend time with the given collaborator, figure out the specifics of the project and how we could solve the problems they were coming across as efficiently as possible and with relatively unique solutions – especially if it required customised manufacturing techniques that are not readily available.

How long have you been with TRICEP?

I have been with TRICEP for just under three years but have been with UOW’s Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) for four years.

What’s been your biggest highlight or achievement?

That’s a tough one! I would say my favourite has been being involved in printing projects that are right on the cutting edge of technology. Melt electro writing tubes has been one of those projects, creating 15um diameter tubes using a fully custom printer was really exciting and a great team to work with. Another example would be 3D printing FEP for applications at ANSTO.

Everything has been exciting to work on and it has been great to see the projects come to life and be able to reach the trial phase. For example with iFix Medical and Axcelda, it is exciting to develop products that are being used in clinical trials!

What will you miss the most?

The people and collaborators are what will be most missed. The TRICEP, ANFF and IPRI teams have been great to work with every day, and have always made an inviting workspace that encourages innovation. Working with doctors and clinicians on projects has also been super exciting. The breadth of knowledge and passion for their field is inspiring.

What’s next for you?

I have a new position as a Mechatronic Engineer at a company in Sydney called Carbonix. They specialise in creating fully integrated, remotely piloted UAV (drones). They are unique in their approach to the challenge, as they utilise both the vertical take-off and landing aspects off a quadcopter, but are able to increase their flight time and payload significantly by having the drone be fixed-wing – able to behave like a plane during normal operation.

I am excited to work with the team and look forward to progressing my career in the near future!

Thanks, Ben – and all the best.

You can learn more about Ben and his career in episode 22 of The ACES Podcast.