Chris, aged 30, from Bath in Somerset was "overwhelmed" after the presentation: "I’m really proud to have contributed to the growth of knowledge in engineering, and pleased that I’ve been able to raise the profile of University of Bath at the same time." Chris, who starts a PhD next month, intends continuing his research at Bath.

His entry was one of just three short-listed by Bentley’s judges, on topics ranging from Load History-Based Component Lifting to An Improved Wiebe Function to Describe the Charge Burn Characteristics of an S.I. Engine. Tension was enormous among the nominees on the run up to the presentation, with the judges only making their final decision just hours before the ceremony.

Dr Eichhorn praised the extremely high standard of all the short-listed entries: "Finding a winner from these three finalists was immensely difficult, such was the quality of their work and level of insight displayed in their papers. However, Chris’s entry was truly exceptional and we were proud to present him with the award – we’re confident he has a great future ahead of him in engineering."

Bentley’s factory in Crewe, England upholds a great tradition of engineering excellence, and today employs more than 600 top engineers – including many graduates and apprentices – at its historic Pyms Lane site. W.O. Bentley, who founded the company in 1919, was a legendary engineer in his own right, creating some of the most technologically advanced cars of the 1920s and 30s. His legacy continues to inspire students, like Chris, to this day.