Cristina Aleixendri (Barcelona, 31 years old), who practices such feminine humility that she borders on imposter syndrome, says she is a “bullfighter” in her company Bound4blue. With this humorous expression, the aeronautical engineer points out that she is not only one of the inventors of a sustainable propulsion system for freighters, which she sells herself, but also raises financing, concludes contracts with investors, justifies public subsidies, represents her company before public and private organizations , does marketing work and speaks to the press, who on this occasion are interested in her because she has just received the Talgo Award for professional excellence of women in engineering: “These awards provide references for girls, not to let them think, that an engineer is a sleazy mechanic. That happened to me as a child when I wanted to study medicine.”
Questions. Why didn’t he make any medicine in the end?
Answers. What I liked about doctors was that I always wanted to work for a purpose and saw a very noble purpose in saving lives. But then my math teacher, who was a computer scientist, grabbed me by the tape in a corridor, took me to the office and said to me, “I see that your eyes light up when you’re in physics and math.” So we started reviewing engineering by engineering and she explained to me what anyone could do to make a difference in the world and, well, it saved my life because I had a blast during my college years , huh? (laughs)
Q Tell me a little about your idea of a great time…
R Mathematicians make models. Physicists apply them to a real problem. And then we engineers come along to destroy everything because we take the formulas and say, look, that doesn’t work for me, but just like that, yeah. And in the end planes fly, rockets fly to the moon and we save lives by setting in motion the mechanisms that exist in hospitals. Studying engineering means waking up every morning knowing that you have many problems ahead of you to solve and that you will discover how the world works. It is exciting.
Q Do you think that just as women used to be associated with these ‘caring’ jobs like nursing or medicine, is it now assumed that we are inherently good managers and therefore ‘entrepreneurs’?
R I think the word entrepreneur in general is a bit, between quotes, prostituted. It is very fashionable to try to be an entrepreneur when there are many opportunities to achieve professional success and make a difference in the world. However, my sector, the maritime sector, has very little female presence. For example, around 2% of seafarers are women, and in farm work only in the Nordic countries are women represented 20%.
Cristina Aleixendri, engineer at Bound4blue. Barbera del Valles, December 20, 2022. Albert Garcia
Q You travel a lot to sell your project, right?
R This week I was in London at the International Maritime Organization, a UN-affiliated organization proposing new global regulations to make maritime transport more sustainable. It is very interesting to teach all delegates from all countries a solution that allows them to move in a more environmentally friendly way while remaining profitable.
Q And how do you get that?
R With a kind of sail that works like the wings of an airplane, except that instead of keeping the ship in the air, it propels it. It’s inspired by a system that Bertrand Charrier, who is also on our team now, developed for Cousteau’s research vessel. We improved their technology, which when created could not move large units. We’ve increased its aerodynamic efficiency by 30%, allowing it to move merchant ships that cause the most environmental impact like hybrid cars.
Q Can you raise merchants who move 100% with sails?
R It could be raised. Christopher Columbus already did it. In the early days of shipping, merchant ships sailed under sail. But customers don’t ask that because they would then have to follow the winds and not all routes would be passable. With this system you can do without when the wind is good, e.g. B. in the North Atlantic, Pacific or in the Baltic Sea, on the engine and thus reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
Q Wasn’t Charrier very impressed that three young men like you wanted to carry on his legacy?
R I think he just wants to see how his system works. When he met us he just wanted to share everything he knew after more than 15 years on board the Calypso.
Q Does an aeronautical engineer like you have a fear of flying?
R Yes! The more you know, the worse. I get on a plane and start to see if the flaps have opened or to look at the critical speeds. My aviation professor always said that if an emergency landing is attempted once and fails, the chances of the plane crashing the second time are high. But it’s also true that when there’s turbulence, you know the plane is ready to fly without engines and is gliding, and you’re a lot calmer than other people.
Q Did this project make you rich?
R I think I have a great life and I consider myself very lucky because I travel the world and meet amazing people, but I rarely go to first class. I was very fortunate to be born into a very hard working family who sacrificed a lot to give us the best education possible. When I lost my mother, I became self-employed and then worked on many things to get ahead, from a researcher at the university to a private tutor. When I started making money, it was very satisfying. But I don’t allow myself any great luxuries: I live in a small town on the outskirts of Barcelona, with my garden, my chickens, my two dogs, my walks in the mountains. Glovo doesn’t get there, so imagine that.
Q And are you optimistic or pessimistic about the sustainability challenges facing the world?
R I think if all countries are not aligned for change, it will be very difficult. Russia and China, for example, have a keen interest in melting the Arctic to open up new trade routes, which is a disaster. Technologically we can. It remains to be seen if the researchers can convince the half moved only by human selfishness.
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