Outstanding Achievement by Exchange Student at LAMD

© 2025 JVTorrent/UPC

© 2025 JVTorrent/UPC

Joan Vidal Torrent, an exchange student from Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (Barcelona), has been recognized with the Best Academic Record in Mechanical Engineering and Best Trajectory of the Class of 2025 at EEBE (UPC). His exemplary performance is further highlighted by his bachelor’s thesis, completed in collaboration with LAMD and supervised by Prof. Jürg Schiffmann.

During his thesis, Vidal's designed tilting-pad, gas-lubricated journal bearing aimed at small-scale, high-speed turbomachinery, with extensive considerations on manufacturing. His work supports an ongoing PhD project and stands out for its engineering precision and practical insight, and left a product that is ready to be built and tested. The design focuses on a single-piece bearing assembly for a 14 mm rotor, incorporating a flexure pivot, radial compliance features, and a regulable geometric preload. An in-depth sensor integration strategy is also proposed, enabling the validation of in-house numerical models against real data.

Special emphasis was placed on surface treatment and alignment to reduce friction and wear, critical considerations for high-performance bearings. LAMD’s involvement in guiding and supporting this research highlights its strong commitment to student mentorship and innovation.

This achievement reflects both Joan's academic excellence and the fruitful collaboration between universities, underlining the lab’s role in shaping the next generation of mechanical engineers.