Mason Birch

I joined D Young & Co in February 2021 and have been applying my enthusiasm for learning new concepts ever since; my technical expertise is in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, yet the work I do is primarily related to video game technologies. I particularly enjoy the multidisciplinary nature of my role, which involves combining technical and legal knowledge, language skills, and a keen commercial awareness in order to provide the best protection for our clients.

I joined the firm after having completed my Mechanical Engineering degree, from which I developed a strong technical background in fluid dynamics and heat transfer, especially computational fluid dynamics (CFD). My Master’s project involved performing a CFD study on a novel differential-pressure flow meter. I discovered that this flow meter achieves its high-accuracy measurements by destroying the largest scale turbulent eddies within the incoming flow, causing the entire turbulent kinetic energy cascade within the flow to collapse and thereby provide a region of stable flow from which measurements could be taken.

As part of my degree, I completed an industrial placement year at a prestigious aerospace engine manufacturer. My work there involved evaluating the quality of hexahedral meshes produced by commercial software; such meshes have a significant impact on the accuracy and speed of CFD simulations, which in-turn impacts the development of next-generation turbomachinery components.

My work at D Young & Co involves prosecuting patents for clients in the video games and consumer electronics industries. I find my work immensely gratifying, not least because I am a keen gamer myself! In addition to this, I have been able to apply my expertise in computational methodologies to technologies I have not encountered before, providing me with the opportunity to learn about new concepts while simultaneously utilising my existing technical skill set.