Guest Blog
Guest Blog
Intelligent mobility – a systems view
The flow and use of information are the key factors in developing ‘intelligent mobility’, but this will involve developing barriers to protect privacy as well as increasing communication between vehicles and infrastructure.
The challenge of graphene
Closer international partnerships have a very important role to play in the development of technologies in the UK, says TSB chief Iain Gray
Manufacturing and the people - how television can get the word out
TV personality and retail expert Mary Portas has now turned her energy to manufacturing. The Secret Engineer shares their thoughts on how successful her efforts might have been
Turning steel into ships
While the various blocks of the Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales aircraft carriers continue to arrive at Rosyth shipyard, commissioning engineers are working on the many systems that will bring the ships to life
Diving into basic mechanics
It’s all about the vibrations: guest blogger Steve Haake discusses the application of the basic theories of mechanics to springboard diving.
Catapult Centres launch UK technology into the marketplace
The UK’s new Catapult Centres will help businesses exploit the commercial potential of our world-leading research base writes TSB chief Iain Gray
The Arup Skiff
Arup’s expertise in carbon fibre, gained from buildings, bridges and lightweight structures, is being put to use in a new skiff which could sail at the 2016 Olympics. It’s a good example of technology transfer, but these principles could be applied more widely, argues Peter Young
Water in the desert
When humanitarian crises drive people to the desert, establishing a source of clean drinking water as quickly as possible is a priority. Local rivers can provide an answer, but not as direct sources themselves.
Assembly phase reveals Queen Elizabeth scale
As the various component parts of the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier come together, the sheer size of the ship is beginning to become apparent. Meanwhile, the early sections of the second carrier, Prince of Wales, will soon move up to Rosyth.
An insight into driverless car technologies
Many drivers might baulk at the idea of ’driverless’ cars, but in some conditions, they could both increase enjoyment of driving and ease congestion, argues Anthony Baxendale of MIRA in his first guest blog.
From illusion of design to finished product
Excitement is mounting at Bloodhound headquarters as the final detail is filled in on the design of the car, and parts start to be delivered to the Bristol works where the car will be assembled.
Science, engineering and sport: what do we think?
Steve Haake looks back at his first Olympic-themed science lecture of 2012, where the audience was asked their opinions on the morality of technology-based training — and how it compares with illegal performance aids such as doping.
From the track to the air
In a new series of guest blogs from motorsport and composites specialist Lola, commercial director Paul Jackson explains why multi-discipline adaptability is so important for SMEs, and how it is contributing to Lola’s performance.
Flight deck
Aircraft Carrier Alliance guest blogger David Downs visits the UK home of the F35 project at Samlesbury, where the carriers’ main weapon is taking shape
Electric vehicles: a numbers game
The take-up of electric vehicles is slower than anticipated. Guest blogger Peter Young takes a look at why this might be.
Surgery as you’ve never seen it before
Of all the hurdles faced by aid organisations after a major natural catastrophe, performing emergency surgery in the middle of a disasterzone must be amongst the toughest. But, with a bit of ingenuity, humanitarian engineers can help make a real difference, writes RedRMember Paul Jawor.
How your Christmas present might revolutionise sports science
As consumer gadgetry becomes ever more popular, sports science is making increasing use of these sensors and devices. The latest generation of video-game controllers is proving particularly useful, as Steve Haake explains.
Elite swimming and the bodysuit question
Does technology in sport work? Is technology fair? And what happens if you ban it? Prof Steve Haake takes a look at the polyurethane swimming bodysuit, which led to a spate of world records until it was banned in competiton
Designing in a disaster zone
Back-of-envelope, jury-rigged engineering is sometimes the best, and indeed only, option when you’re in the middle of a major humanitarian crisis. What’s important is to keep the needs of the people in mind and make sure solutions are appropriate, says Paul Jawor
Composite performance boosts Bloodhound build
With Bloodhound SSC now well into its build phase, the chassis is starting to come together, and some vital mechanical components are ready for assembly, says chief engineer Mark Chapman
Engineering for earthquakes
The cost of ensuring that structures in earthquake zones are resistant to collapse is low, and the result could save thousands of lives and prevent damage to stricken nations’ economies. Engineers have a responsibility to show leadership and make structural safety an absolute priority, argues Kubilay Hicyilmaz.
Of cranes and catapults
While the Queen Elizabeth starts to come together in dry dock at Rosyth, the team has been visiting the US to look at aircraft launch and recovery systems.
Attracting engineering talent
Arup’s James Kenny provides some useful tips on how industry can snap up the best young engineering talent
Planet Football: why FIFA should embrace technology
What if FIFA were to embrace technology and bring goal line technology to the coffee table?
Bloodhound team scents success
In the first of a new series of guest blogs, Mark Chapman, chief engineer on the Bloodhound SSC project, reflects on his team’s ongoing efforts to design the world’s first 1000mph car
Queen Elizabeth takes shape
The various enormous parts of Queen Elizabeth, the first of the UK’s two new aircraft carriers, are now beginning to come together in Rosyth, where they will be assembled.
A year to go: engineering sport for London 2012
With less than a year to go until the London Olympics, Prof Steve Haake explains how multidisciplinary teams are helping competitors reach peak form in time for the Games
Engineering PhDs — worthwhile pursuit, or expensive indulgence?
Peter Young of Arup AT&R questions whether engineering students staying on at university for postgraduate study are enhancing their job prospects and advancing the discipline, and wonders whether engineering PhDs could be reorganised for everyone’s benefit.
Tennis engineering
In his first guest blog for The Engineer, Prof Steve Haake explains how engineering has been brought to bear on tennis to showcase the players’ range of skills and abilities.
Taking no chances with Ebola
Engineering skills, from construction to logistics, are indispensible when there’s a suspected Ebola outbreak. Paul Jawor, recently returned from setting up an isolation ward in rural Uganda, explains.
Crystal castles in the air
Deceptively simple, ultrapure quartz crystals are at the heart of almost every satellite in orbit, as our guest blogger Bob Graham explains
Living with EVs
Peter Young of Arup AT&R joins our guest bloggers, kicking off by telling us how he’s adjusted to driving an electric car as part of the CABLED trials, in which his company is involved.
Predictably unpredictable
Our series of guest blogs from humanitarian charity RedR continues with this contribution from Cheryl McDonald, who explains how engineers can help tackle the problems arising from a refugee crisis .
Change of scenery
Visible progress is now being made on the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier, as preparations being to move major parts of the structure to the assembly yard in Rosyth
Engineering in the time of cholera
Engineering isn’t just about high-tech products and traditional manufacturing. In our new guest blog, Paul Jawor, a civil engineer and member of the humanitarian charity RedR, explains how it can help save lives and improve living conditions in the developing world and disaster zones
Carrier programme accommodates changes
Construction of the two Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers is continuing apace, with the design changes necessitated by the Strategic Defence Review underway
Shake, rattle and launch
Guest bloggerHead of Engineering, EADS AstriumBob’s involvement with the space industry goes back over 30 years. An aeronautical engineer by training, he specialises in stress engineering and the design of lightweight structures.
Readying for flight
Our guest blogger on the next stage of the QE Class building programme, as the final shipyard comes into play and the flight deck begins to take shape
Material difference
Our space industry insider explains why advanced composites are the ideal materials for antenna reflectors, the components which allow them to beam data down to the planet’s surface
Queen Elizabeth takes its bow
The engineering director of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, which is now building the first of the QE Class aircraft carriers, on the completion of the first blocks of the massive vessel
