The Engineer
April 2011 Online

  • Cambridge Consultants wins award for its radar system

    3 May 2011

    Cambridge Consultants has been awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category for its Prism 200 through-wall radar system.

  • Software enables mobiles to communicate during a disaster

    3 May 2011

    Software that enables mobile phones to communicate during a disaster will be freely available to the public by the end of the year.

  • Behaviour analysis app could help to limit spread of disease

    28 Apr 2011

    A mobile phone app developed by Cambridge University researchers to track how people behave during an epidemic could be used to limit the spread of disease.

  • 3D mapping service presents virtual royal wedding tour

    28 Apr 2011

    The general public can now take a trip along the route that HRH Prince William and Catherine Middleton will follow on their wedding day, thanks to a 3D ‘fly-through’ developed by space systems group Astrium.

  • Sea turns harmless form of mercury into potent neurotoxin

    28 Apr 2011

    Alberta University-led researchers have confirmed that a relatively harmless inorganic form of mercury found worldwide in ocean water is transformed into a potent neurotoxin in the seawater itself.

  • Pigment array sensor identifies infectious bacteria

    28 Apr 2011

    Researchers have demonstrated a quick and simple method to identify infectious bacteria by using an array of printed pigments as a chemical sensor.

  • Busting the dam of engineering indifference

    28 Apr 2011

    A new documentary is set to recreate the amazing engineering behind the Dam Busters’ bouncing bomb.

  • Fundraising set to accelerate launch of fuel-cell systems

    28 Apr 2011

    Loughborough University spin-out Intelligent Energy has recently completed a fundraising round of approximately £7m from existing and new institutional shareholders.

  • Simple illusion significantly reduces arthritic hand pain

    28 Apr 2011

    Nottingham Trent University academics have shown that a simple illusion can significantly reduce — and in some cases even temporarily eradicate — arthritic pain in the hand.

  • Mobile phone app facilitates donation of blood

    28 Apr 2011

    A Dundee University student has developed a prototype mobile phone application to make it easier for existing and potential donors to give blood.

  • Apple devices found to store data on owners' movements

    28 Apr 2011

    An Exeter University researcher has revealed how he discovered that Apple iPhones and iPads are tracking their owners’ every movement and storing the information in a file on the device.

  • Renault reports first-quarter results for 2011

    28 Apr 2011

    French automaker Renault has announced its first quarter results for 2011, in which revenues totalled €10,431m (£9,266m), up 15 per cent on the same period in 2010.

  • Team Lotus Enterprise acquires Caterham Cars

    28 Apr 2011

    Team Lotus Enterprise has purchased British sports car maker Caterham Cars, in an acquisition that will see the lightweight sports car manufacturer expand its brand profile and product family.The acquisition by Tony Fernandes, Kamarudin Meranun and SM Nasarudin, the men behind the Team Lotus Formula 1 squad, from the shareholder consortium led by Corven Ventures, will provide Caterham with the platform to apply its philosophy of ‘adding lightness’ to new models. 

  • International Power publishes interim statement

    28 Apr 2011

    London-based electricity generator International Power has published its Interim Management Statement in respect of the period 1 January 2011 to 27 April 2011.

  • Living with EVs

    28 Apr 2011

    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.

  • Gaming glove may help stroke patients regain hand motion

    28 Apr 2011

    Stroke patients may be able to recover hand motion by playing video games using a biomedical sensor glove developed by final-year students at McGill University.

  • SKF and Sandvik sign strategic partnership agreement

    27 Apr 2011

    Swedish bearing manufacturer SKF has signed a three-year strategic partnership agreement with Swedish engineering group Sandvik Mining and Construction, strengthening the relationship between the two companies.

  • ONS reports 1.1 per cent growth in manufacturing sector

    27 Apr 2011

    Figures released today show that manufacturing increased by 1.1 per cent in the first quarter this year and that GDP is up by 0.5 per cent overall.

  • Tata Steel invests £8m in Clydebridge plant

    27 Apr 2011

    Tata Steel is investing £8m at its Clydebridge plant in Cambuslang, Glasgow, to increase its ability to produce high-strength steel plate.

  • Thermal barrier coating could boost efficiency of gas turbines

    27 Apr 2011

    A spin-out company from Imperial College London has developed a thermal barrier coating for gas turbine parts that can optically feed back its temperature and ageing status even while the engine is running at full speed.

  • 42T to assist in the mechanical design of SKYLON spaceplane

    27 Apr 2011

    42 Technology has been appointed by Reaction Engines to provide engineering consultancy and to help with the mechanical design of key operational features of the SKYLON.

  • RFMD announces results for its fiscal fourth quarter

    27 Apr 2011

    RF Micro Devices (RFMD), a designer and manufacturer of radio frequency components and compound semiconductor technologies, has reported financial results for its fiscal 2011 fourth quarter, ended 2 April 2011.

  • Altera announces first-quarter 2011 financial results

    27 Apr 2011

    Silicon Valley manufacturer Altera has announced first-quarter sales of $535.8m (£325.1m), down four per cent from the fourth quarter of 2010 and up 33 per cent from the first quarter of 2010.New product sales increased 13 per cent sequentially.First-quarter net income was $224.1m, $0.68 per diluted share, compared with net income of $231.6m, $0.72 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2010 and $153.2m, $0.50 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2010.

  • Metso to convert Polish coal-fired plant to biomass boiler

    27 Apr 2011

    Finland-based Metso, which supplies process machinery and systems, will convert a coal-fired boiler to a biomass-fired boiler for Elektrocieplownia Tychy in southern Poland.

  • Dangerous waters

    27 Apr 2011

    In their younger and more vulnerable years, my children loved playing games on their Nintendo Gamecube. More specifically, the games that really took their fancy were the sorts of strategy games that demanded care and skill, as well as a great deal of problem solving.

  • Scientists avoid the use of platinum in hydrogen fuel cells

    27 Apr 2011

    Los Alamos National Laboratory scientists claim to have developed a way to avoid the use of platinum in hydrogen fuel cells.

  • Timken announces first-quarter sales increase

    26 Apr 2011

    Bearings manufacturer Timken has reported sales of $1.3bn in the first quarter of 2011, representing an increase of 37 per cent over the same period a year ago.

  • 3M announces record results for first-quarter 2011

    26 Apr 2011

    US manufacturer 3M has reported record first-quarter sales of $7.3bn, up 15.2 per cent year-over-year, including an 8.9 per cent increase in organic sales volumes.

  • 3D Systems acquires startup company Print3D

    26 Apr 2011

    3D Systems has acquired Print3D, a startup company that develops custom parts services for CAD users through desktop tools that integrate directly into their design environment.

  • Siemens and Carbon Trust launch green finance scheme

    26 Apr 2011

    It has been announced that UK businesses can now apply for green equipment finance from German engineering company Siemens and Carbon Trust, a not-for-profit company created by the UK government to help businesses reduce their carbon footprint.

  • Alstom Grid wins contract for Tres Amigas' SuperStation

    26 Apr 2011

    Electrical transmission company Alstom Grid has been awarded a contract worth approximately €150m (£132.4m) by Tres Amigas to deliver High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) converter and automation technology, as well as high-availability system maintenance services, for the first stage of the Tres Amigas SuperStation project in New Mexico, US.

  • General Dynamics wins demilitarisation contract

    26 Apr 2011

    Defence-industry contractor General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems has been awarded a $37m (£22.8m) contract from the US Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, Ill, for demilitarisation of munitions.

  • Škoda Power to deliver two turbines to Turkish plant

    26 Apr 2011

    Steam-turbine manufacturer Škoda Power, a part of Doosan Power Systems, has been chosen as the preferred supplier for a number of power-generation projects.

  • BASF acquires ultrafiltration business of Watertechnologies

    26 Apr 2011

    Chemical company BASF has signed an agreement with the investor group of Germany-based Inge Watertechnologies to acquire the company and its ultrafiltration membrane business.

  • US Army orders BAE Systems thermal weapon sights

    26 Apr 2011

    BAE Systems will provide a range of light, medium and heavy thermal weapon sights to the US Army under a $56m (£33.9m) contract that continues production of the sights, for use on individual and crew-served weapons.The second-generation thermal sights are claimed to give soldiers a tremendous day/night advantage to detect, observe and engage the enemy on the battlefield by providing imagery independent of darkness, smoke and other common battlefield obscurants.

  • ATK provides motor for Orbital Science's NASA cargo vehicle

    26 Apr 2011

    Aerospace and defence company ATK has been awarded a $57m (£34.5m) contract to provide the Castor 30XL, an upgraded second-stage motor, for Orbital Science’s Taurus II commercial launch vehicle, which will supply cargo for NASA to the International Space Station.The Castor 30XL is a larger and higher-performance solid rocket motor that features greater payload capability than the Castor 30A, which is used on the current configuration of the Taurus II.

  • OPT awards Oregon companies with PowerBuoy contracts

    26 Apr 2011

    Wave-energy company Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) is awarding four new contracts to Oregon companies in connection with the manufacture of its PB150 PowerBuoy wave-energy generating device and its deployment off the coast of Reedsport, Oregon, US.

  • CBI says policy uncertainty stifles low-carbon investment

    26 Apr 2011

    A new report states that business leaders are not convinced that the UK can attract investment at the scale and pace required to build Britain’s low-carbon infrastructure.

  • Predictably unpredictable

    26 Apr 2011

    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 .

  • Hitachi supplies voltage control system to WPD's smart grid

    26 Apr 2011

    Hitachi Europe, Smart Grid Venture has concluded an agreement with Western Power Distribution (WPD) for the supply of a Dynamic Voltage Control System for a smart-grid demonstration project under the UK’s Low Carbon Networks (LCN) fund tier one, established by Ofgem, the UK Energy Regulator.

  • SSE wins lighting maintenance contract in Knowsley

    26 Apr 2011

    Through its wholly owned subsidiary Tay Valley Lighting (TVL), Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has been awarded a 25-year contract, under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI), by Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council.

  • New method for manufacture of green-coloured LEDs

    26 Apr 2011

    Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a new method for manufacturing green-coloured LEDs with greatly enhanced light output.

  • Biosensor offers fast route to diagnosing pancreatitis

    26 Apr 2011

    A low-tech biosensor could give doctors in the developing world a quick and economical tool to diagnose pancreatitis.

  • Aker signs drilling equipment contracts with Daewoo

    26 Apr 2011

    Norwegian engineering company Aker Solutions has signed two contracts, with a total value of around $230m (£139.3m) with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) for the delivery of complete drilling equipment packages for two new deep-water drill ships.

  • Self-healing material melts and re-solidifies under UV light

    26 Apr 2011

    Scientists in Switzerland have helped develop a self-healing material that melts and re-solidifies under ultraviolet light.

  • Subsea cable set to improve internet connectivity in Africa

    21 Apr 2011

    Engineers have laid the final section of a subsea cable that stretches from London to the Western Cape and is promised to improve internet connectivity for parts of Africa.

  • Paper-thin graphene material is 10 times stronger than steel

    21 Apr 2011

    Scientists at the University of Technology, Sydney, have developed a composite material based on graphite that is as thin as paper and 10 times stronger than steel.

  • The pot-bound engineer

    21 Apr 2011

    After leaving a small engineering firm, Jack Robinson took up a new role as the manager of a design group within a larger company. Now, he finds himself back in a smaller design environment again with enough experience to recognise its benefits.

  • Agricultural robot will be able to harvest high-value crops

    21 Apr 2011

    Robotics engineers in the EU plan to develop an agricultural robot that can sense, spray and pick high-value crops.

  • Mobile apps could boost tourism in Northern Ireland

    21 Apr 2011

    Ulster University academics have received funding to develop mobile applications, or apps, that could help to boost tourism in Northern Ireland.

  • Thames cable car work to start this summer, confirms mayor

    20 Apr 2011

    Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, has confirmed that work will start this summer on a cable car across the River Thames.

  • Catalyst produces ethylene and formaldehyde from methane

    20 Apr 2011

    Scientists have discovered a method to control the gas-phase-selective catalytic combustion of methane, so that the reaction produces ethylene at room temperature and formaldehyde at lower temperatures.

  • Website helps companies unearth promising technologies

    20 Apr 2011

    Developers at the University of Rochester have created a website aimed at helping companies and entrepreneurs find and cash in on innovative technologies developed by scientists at the university.

  • Property developer Redrow to sell off Scottish division

    20 Apr 2011

    Redrow announced yesterday that it is exiting Scotland.

  • Metso to supply technology to greenfield pulp mill in Brazil

    20 Apr 2011

    Finnish company Metso, a supplier of process-industry machinery, has concluded an agreement to supply all main technology for the 1.5-million-tonne greenfield pulp mill of Suzano Papel e Celuloseto, be built in north-eastern Brazil.Start up is scheduled for the first half of 2013.

  • AGR undertakes multi-well, multi-client drilling campaign

    20 Apr 2011

    AGR Petroleum Services, which provides support to the oil and gas industry, is to undertake a multi-well, multi-client drilling campaign valued at £3m on behalf of three international operators, utilising the semi-submersible drilling rig WilPhoenix.The independent well-management firm will drill four wells across the North Sea and West of Shetland, on behalf of Faroe Petroleum, Hurricane Exploration and Antrim Energy.

  • Infineon Technologies reports second-quarter results

    20 Apr 2011

    Research and development company Infineon Technologies has announced revenues and a Total Segment Result for the second quarter of the 2011 fiscal year that are better than expected.

  • NASA awards funding to four companies as part of CCDev2

    20 Apr 2011

    NASA has awarded four Space Act Agreements worth a total of $269.3m in the second round of the agency’s Commercial Crew Development programme.

  • Students develop prosthetic arm controlled by brain signals

    20 Apr 2011

    Two undergraduate biomedical engineering students at Canada’s Ryerson University have developed a prosthetic arm that is controlled by brain signals.

  • Johnson Controls-Saft supplies electric vehicle battery system

    20 Apr 2011

    Johnson Controls-Saft is to supply the complete battery system for two electric vehicles set for launch in China by 2015.

  • Notes from a small island

    20 Apr 2011

    The Isle of Man economy is doing many of the things that the UK seems to be still only talking about, and we could do a lot worse than take a look.

  • Nanofibre spheres 'a significant advance in tissue repair'

    20 Apr 2011

    Scientists at Michigan University have made biodegradable polymer spheres that can carry living cells into wounds, where they can form new tissue.

  • Raytheon contracts renewable energy from Texan landfill

    19 Apr 2011

    US defence company Raytheon has contracted renewable energy from a landfill electricity-generation project in McKinney, Texas.Raytheon is acquiring the power through Noble Americas Energy Solutions from Montauk Energy’s McKinney landfill gas-to-energy facility.Under this agreement Raytheon will receive Green-e certified renewable energy credits.The contract also supports the company’s 2015 goal to reduce its greenhouse gases by 10 per cent from a 2008 baseline.

  • US military awards General Dynamics Gatling contracts

    19 Apr 2011

    General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products was recently awarded two contracts with a combined value of $12.9m (£7.9m) to produce 22 Gatling-gun systems for the US Navy and to supply various Gatling-gun spare items to the US Army.Under the first award, worth $7.8m, General Dynamics will deliver 22 M61A2 20mm Gatling-gun systems to the Navy for use on the F/A-18E/F aircraft, while under the second, it will deliver GAU-19/A Gatling-gun spare items to the Army.

  • Evonik Industries sells its carbon black business

    19 Apr 2011

    Speciality chemicals group Evonik Industries is to sell its carbon black business to Rhône Capital for more than €900m.

  • CBI calls for action to get investment into the UK

    19 Apr 2011

    The CBI has called on the government to improve Britain’s attractiveness to investors, warning that without action, investment and jobs will be lost to other countries.

  • Project aims to reduce vehicle emissions by 10 per cent

    19 Apr 2011

    A UK consortium is to carry out research that aims to further reduce power consumption and CO2 emissions in hybrid diesel-electric buses.

  • Wärtsilä to supply propulsion for semi-submersible vessel

    19 Apr 2011

    Finnish power-systems company Wärtsilä has been awarded the contract to supply a total propulsion package for a new semi-submersible heavy lift vessel, which, with an overall length of 270m, is the largest ship of its type ever to be built.

  • Terna awards Nexans Italian power-development contract

    19 Apr 2011

    Cabling company Nexans has been awarded a €33m (£20.3m) contract by Terna, Italy’s electricity transmission grid operator, to manufacture, install and test approximately 250km of 150kV high-voltage (HV) aluminium underground cables and accessories, for power development projects in the Lazio, Basilicata and Campania regions.

  • Google invests in Shepherds Flat wind farm development

    19 Apr 2011

    Google has invested approximately $100m in the Shepherds Flat wind farm, which is currently under construction near Arlington in Oregon.

  • Volvo Buses and SAIC Motors to form joint-venture company

    19 Apr 2011

    Volvo Buses and Chinese company SAIC Motors have agreed to form a joint-venture company to produce driveline systems for hybrid and electric buses.

  • Fund aims to secure safety of Chernobyl nuclear disaster site

    19 Apr 2011

    Britain today joined international partners in contributing to a fund to help ensure the permanent safety of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site.

  • Babcock & Wilcox to construct waste-to-energy power plant

    19 Apr 2011

    Babcock & Wilcox and its partner BE&K Construction have been awarded a contract worth more than $668m to construct a new waste-to-energy power plant in West Palm Beach, Florida.

  • Statoil exercises EPC options of Aker Solutions contract

    19 Apr 2011

    Norwegian company Aker Solutions has received notification that Statoil has exercised options for the engineering, procurement and construction of three subsea work-over systems for use on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

  • Wärtsilä signs support contract with Royal Caribbean Cruises

    19 Apr 2011

    Finland-based Wärtsilä, a provider of power systems to the marine industry, has signed a five-year maintenance support agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruises and its operating companies Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara Club Cruises.

  • Research says UK clean-tech companies feel optimistic

    19 Apr 2011

    According to new research commissioned by the Carbon Trust and conducted by the Cleantech Group, the UK’s clean-tech companies are feeling optimistic about the future.

  • US Army awards General Dynamics ammunition contract

    18 Apr 2011

    General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, has been awarded a $32.5m (£19.9m) contract for 30mm ammunition by the US Army Contracting Command in Rock Island, Ill.The award consists of a mixture of new production of PGU-13 D/B cartridges and the remanufacture of existing US Air Force inventory of PGU-13 HEI cartridges.

  • ABB wins orders to supply traction transformers

    18 Apr 2011

    Power and automation technology company ABB has won orders worth $16m (£9.8m) from train manufacturers Bombardier and AnsaldoBreda to supply traction transformers for their high-speed V300ZEFIRO trains, to be operated in Italy by Italian train operator TrenItalia.The orders were booked in the first quarter.

  • Philips and TPV Technology form strategic partnership

    18 Apr 2011

    Royal Philips Electronics has entered into a term sheet to transfer its Television business into a joint venture with TPV Technology as part of a long-term strategic partnership, in which 70 per cent owned by TPV and 30 per cent by Philips.

  • Fluor and Turner form joint venture to support MoD

    18 Apr 2011

    Engineering, procurement, construction and maintenance services company Fluor has formed a joint venture with Turner Facilities Management of Scotland to execute current work and pursue additional contracts in infrastructure support and other contingency logistic opportunities that support the United Kingdom’s (UK) armed forces operating in Afghanistan.

  • Alstom Grid awarded contracts worth €57m

    18 Apr 2011

    Alstom Grid has been awarded two contracts worth a total of €57m by the Saudi Electricity Company.

  • SEP leads £5m financing round for Metaforic

    18 Apr 2011

    Scottish Equity Partners (SEP) has led a £5m financing round for Metaforic, a company based in Glasgow and California, which has developed software that combats piracy and hacker attacks.

  • Gun system realigns crosshairs with true barrel position

    18 Apr 2011

    A new system precisely measures the deflection of the barrel of a gun relative to its sight and then electronically realigns the crosshairs with the true position of the barrel.

  • Chlorine layer reduces OLED device complexity

    18 Apr 2011

    Researchers in Canada have found that one-atom-thick chlorine reduces OLED device complexity and increases efficiencies.

  • Predictive maintenance tool to help drivers avoid congestion

    18 Apr 2011

    Researchers at IBM are collaborating with partners at the California Department of Transportation and California Center for Innovative Transportation to develop an intelligent system that will help commuters avoid congestion.

  • Project focuses on factors that affect fuel-cell performance

    18 Apr 2011

    UK and Indian researchers are to work together on a project to obtain a greater understanding of the factors that affect fuel-cell performance and durability.

  • Federation expresses concern over lack of plastic waste

    15 Apr 2011

    The British Plastics Federation’s Recycling Group has expressed concern over the growing shortage of usable plastics waste in the UK and has questioned the wisdom of exporting used plastics materials.

  • Hydrogen-producing catalysts could replace lithium batteries

    15 Apr 2011

    Catalysts that make hydrogen from formic acid could eventually replace lithium batteries and power a host of mobile devices.

  • Tests investigate CFRP's ability to protect against explosives

    15 Apr 2011

    A researcher at the University of Missouri is working with the US Army to test a method of retrofitting buildings to protect them in the case of a terrorist attack.

  • Star Flyer airline orders two Airbus A320 aircraft

    15 Apr 2011

    Japanese value airline Star Flyer has signed a firm contract with Airbus for the purchase of two A320s.Star Flyer currently operates five leased A320s but this order is the airline’s first aircraft purchase.The new aircraft will feature 144 to 150 seats in a single-class layout and are powered by CFM56-5B4/P engines.Star Flyer intends to use the new jets to increase frequencies and to open new routes in Japan and to Korea.

  • Intelligent Energy completes fuel-cell fundraising round

    15 Apr 2011

    Clean power-systems company Intelligent Energy has recently completed a fundraising round of approximately £7m from existing and new institutional shareholders.This investment, achieved through a placement at £1.70 per share, enables Intelligent Energy to accelerate the commercialisation of its fuel-cell power systems.

  • Fujitsu Semiconductor and Cinemo announce partnership

    15 Apr 2011

    Multimedia technologies developer Cinemo and Fujitsu Semiconductor have announced a new partnership that will enable Cinemo to optimise its automotive-grade multimedia solutions for its existing and planned Cortex System-on-Chip (SoC) ranges and add to Cinemo’s already-extensive supported hardware list.Cinemo’s embedded multimedia technologies are for in-vehicle infotainment (IVI), consumer electronics and embedded industrial computing.

  • Amsterdam City Council asks Essent for charging stations

    15 Apr 2011

    Dutch energy utility Essent, a wholly owned subsidiary of RWE AG, was asked by Amsterdam City Council to deliver and install at least 125 electric-vehicle charging stations, with an option to extend this up to 750.The first charging points are due to be installed in the first half of this year.

  • Balfour Beatty Rail sells UK trackwork business

    15 Apr 2011

    Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, has announced that Balfour Beatty Rail has agreed to sell its UK trackwork manufacturing business to Progress Rail Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Caterpillar.The trackwork business, which generated revenues of £55m in 2010, designs and manufactures manganese steel castings, track panels, turnouts and crossings at five sites in the UK.

  • MG Motor UK begins full production of MG6 fastback

    15 Apr 2011

    Wednesday 13 April marked the start of full customer production of MG Motor UK’s new MG6.

  • Photovoltaic cells offer high visible light transparency

    15 Apr 2011

    MIT researchers have developed a photovoltaic cell based on organic molecules that harnesses the energy of infrared light while allowing visible light to pass through.

  • Luxurious battery-powered vehicle is shown at Dubai

    15 Apr 2011

    Engineers at TU Delft in the Netherlands have unveiled a luxurious battery-powered vehicle at the World Exhibition of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) in Dubai.

  • Xtreme battery system to store electricity at Texas wind farm

    15 Apr 2011

    Duke Energy intends to store electricity generated at its Notrees Windpower Project in west Texas using an energy storage and power management system developed by Xtreme Power.

  • SSE sells 100 per cent interest in three wind farms to Infinis

    15 Apr 2011

    Scottish and Southern Energy has sold its 100 per cent interest in three wind farms with a total capacity of 96.8MW to Infinis for £173.6m.  

  • Reading team receives funding to develop prosthetic cornea

    15 Apr 2011

    Reading University researchers have been awarded a grant worth £815,000 to develop a prosthetic cornea that could restore sight to patients whose corneas are damaged.

  • A long engagement

    15 Apr 2011

    A new series of unusual events aims to turn the public onto engineering. Will knitting groups and music festivals prove to be the right platforms?

  • Elastic gels change colour when exposed to UV light

    15 Apr 2011

    Researchers have created elastic gels that change colour when exposed to ultraviolet light and change back when the ultraviolet light is removed or the material is heated up.

  • SAIC to provide DoD with scientific research programme

    14 Apr 2011

    Science Applications International (SAIC) has been awarded a task order by the US Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Indian Head Division to provide the Department of Defense (DoD) with a scientific research programme to help enable equipment and infrastructure lifecycle and sustainment enhancements.

  • Nexans to install cables at Brazil's Comperj complex

    14 Apr 2011

    Cable company Nexans has been awarded a multi-million turnkey contract by Toshiba Sistemas de Trasmissão e Distribuição do Brazil to supply and install high-voltage XLPE cables and accessories that will be used to interconnect the two main electrical substations at the new Comperj petrochemical complex currently under construction in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  • MDA awards General Dynamics missile-defence contract

    14 Apr 2011

    General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of US defence contractor General Dynamics, has been awarded a contract by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Engineering and Support Services (MiDAESS) programme to provide infrastructure and deployment services in support of the Ballistic Missile Defense System.The five-year, multiple-award, indefinite delivery / indefinite quantity contract has no initial award value but a $565m (£347.3m) ceiling value for all awardees.

  • Capita Symonds to support development of A556 road

    14 Apr 2011

    UK engineering consultancy Capita Symonds has been appointed by the Highways Agency to support the development of a new four-mile dual carriageway that will connect the M6 and M56 in south-east Manchester.

  • Motion detection enhances wireless network switching

    14 Apr 2011

    A set of new communication protocols uses information about a portable electronic device’s movement to improve performance when switching between wireless networks.

  • Debugging platform for engine emission control systems

    14 Apr 2011

    UltraSoC Technologies has been awarded a grant to help it develop technology that cuts carbon emissions from cars and other vehicles.

  • Government ‘must invest in long-term infrastructure plan’

    14 Apr 2011

    A report published today urges the government to invest in a long-term infrastructure plan for the UK or face putting its economic future at risk.

  • ABB to supply equipment to SGCC power project

    14 Apr 2011

    Power and automation technologies company ABB has won an order worth approximately $120m (£73.76m) to engineer and supply key equipment for the Jinping-Sunan 800kV Ultra High Voltage Direct Current (UHVDC) power transmission project of the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC).

  • Researchers develop a fabric that can selectively trap gases

    14 Apr 2011

    A new fabric that can selectively trap gases is being created at Cornell University, a development that could help protect soldiers from exposure to toxic chemicals.

  • SEC awards Alstom Grid two substation contracts

    13 Apr 2011

    French energy company Alstom Grid has been awarded two contracts worth a total of €57m (£50.5m) by the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), the Saudi electricity company responsible for the national grid network, for five substation extensions and two new substations.

  • Skynet Asia Airways selects Goodrich wheels and brakes

    13 Apr 2011

    US aerospace company Goodrich has been selected by Skynet Asia Airways to supply wheels and carbon brakes for its new fleet of 13 Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft.

  • Further education boosts the economy, states report

    13 Apr 2011

    A recent study has found that further-education participants generate £75bn for the economy over their lifetimes, with apprenticeships generating around £40 for each pound of government investment.

  • Orange Business Services to connect New Zealand ministry

    13 Apr 2011

    Orange Business Services, a global integrator of communications systems for multinational companies, has won a new contract to deliver global networking services for New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.Under this agreement, Orange Business Services provides networking services to connect New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade with relevant government agencies and global offices across 56 sites in 52 countries.

  • Ceramic coatings could protect jet engines from volcanic ash

    13 Apr 2011

    A new class of ceramic coatings could offer jet engines special protection against volcanic ash damage.

  • ATK receives further orders for medium-calibre cannons

    13 Apr 2011

    Aerospace and defence supplier ATK has announced a total of $33.5m (£20.6m) in new medium-calibre cannon orders, to be manufactured at ATK’s facility in Mesa, Arizona.The contracts, from a mix of European and Middle East/North Africa (MENA)-region customers, will expand ATK’s production of its battle-proven M242 and Mk44 Bushmaster Chain Guns in support of allied forces worldwide.

  • Daimler and Robert Bosch to develop all-electric motors

    13 Apr 2011

    Automobile manufacturer Daimler and automobile components supplier Robert Bosch plan to expand their partnership and co-operate in the development and production of electric motors for all-electric vehicles in Europe.

  • It takes two

    13 Apr 2011

    Business was booming at the small to medium-sized engineering firm. In fact, orders for new products were coming in so thick and fast that the engineering team was having trouble keeping up with them. So the engineering manager approached his managing director to see if he could hire a couple of new recruits to help out.

  • Report criticises 'unethical' European biofuels policy

    13 Apr 2011

    A report published today criticises UK and European policies on biofuels, saying that they do little to protect the environment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions or protect human rights.

  • John Crane to supply sealing to Australian LNG project

    13 Apr 2011

    John Crane, a manufacturer of seals and associated products for the oil and gas, pulp and paper, chemical, pharmaceutical and mining sectors, has been awarded a contract to supply engineered sealing technology to a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) production project in Australia.

  • Tata Steel signs energy supply contract with npower

    13 Apr 2011

    Steel producer Tata Steel has signed one of the UK’s biggest-ever industrial energy supply contracts with npower, which will see the company provide energy to 22 Tata Steel plants across the UK.The contract equates to a supply of approximately five terawatt hours (5TWh) of energy, which is enough to power 1,260,000 homes.

  • DRT buys shares in India-based Crown Chemicals

    13 Apr 2011

    DRT, a developer of Rosin and turpentine extracted from pine resin, has bought shares in Crown Chemicals, a manufacturer of synthetic piperonal based in India.

  • Regional Growth Fund reaches second bidding round

    13 Apr 2011

    Plans announced by the Deputy Prime Minister to invest £450m in businesses across England are expected to create more than 100,000 jobs.

  • Bentley receives support from the Department for Business

    13 Apr 2011

    British automobile manufacturer Bentley has received confirmation of a conditional allocation of £1.68m financial support from the Department for Business’ Regional Growth Fund.This funding will help to maintain and further enhance skill levels among Bentley’s 3,500 strong Cheshire-based workforce as the company gears up to meet increased demand.

  • Stress-analysis tool provides data on deepwater umbilicals

    13 Apr 2011

    A predictive stress-analysis tool is being designed to improve the performance and longevity of deepwater umbilicals.

  • Solar and wind power system for ocean-going vessels

    13 Apr 2011

    Fukuoka, Japan-based Eco Marine Power is developing a solar and wind power system for ships and ocean-going vessels.

  • Eco-catamaran gets its power from renewable energy

    12 Apr 2011

    A catamaran powered by electricity generated by solar panels, wind turbines, batteries and diesel-electric thermal generators has been built by boat builder Drassanes Dalmau.

  • Bloodhound SSC design drawings available online

    12 Apr 2011

    The full design drawings of the Bloodhound jet- and rocket-powered world land-speed record contender are now available for download from the car developers’ website.

  • US Navy awards General Dynamics AMC contract

    12 Apr 2011

    The US Navy has awarded General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems a $17.9m (£10.9m) contract to produce Type-3 advanced mission computers (AMC) for the F/A-18E/F and E/A-18G Super Hornet aircraft.The AMC is the ’nerve center’ of the Super Hornet, providing situational awareness and combat systems control to the flight crew.

  • US Army awards ATK ammunition contract option

    12 Apr 2011

    US aerospace and defence company ATK has been awarded a $49.9m (£30.5m) contract option from the US Army Contracting Command to produce Light Weight (LW) 30mm M789 High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP) ammunition.

  • Dennis Eagle selects BAE Systems' HybriDrive system

    12 Apr 2011

    British defence and aerospace company BAE Systems has entered into an agreement with Dennis Eagle, a manufacturer of refuse collection vehicles (RCV), to integrate a heavy-duty hybrid-electric propulsion system into one of their low-entry cab vehicles.

  • Alstom receives government funding for grid facilities

    12 Apr 2011

    French conglomerate Alstom has been awarded £4m by the government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF), for an investment programme at its Alstom Grid facilities in Stafford.

  • Saab secures framework agreement with US Army

    12 Apr 2011

    Swedish aerospace and defence company Saab has secured a long-term framework agreement with the US Army Program Executive Office of Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI).

  • Missile Defense Agency awards Raytheon missile contract

    12 Apr 2011

    US defence contractor Raytheon has been awarded $42m (£25.7m) for the initial concept development and programme planning for the Standard Missile-3 Block IIB, which is the Missile Defense Agency’s next-generation Aegis missile.Raytheon’s Standard Missile-3 range is a core element of the administration’s Phased Adaptive Approach for missile defence, and as part of Raytheon’s contract with the Missile Defense Agency, the company has delivered more than 130 SM-3s ahead of schedule.

  • GW Pharmaceuticals to supply MS drug Sativex to Novartis

    12 Apr 2011

    GW Pharmaceuticals has entered into an exclusive licence agreement for Novartis Pharma AG to commercialise the Sativex drug in Australia, New Zealand, Asia (excluding Japan, China and Hong Kong), the Middle East (excluding Israel/Palestine) and Africa.

  • Engineers to develop process for sorting carbon nanotubes

    12 Apr 2011

    Engineers at Archimedes Polymer Technologies and Brunel University have secured funding to develop a new continuous flow process for separating and sorting carbon nanotubes and carbon nanomaterials.

  • Fraunhofer sensor system to monitor warehouse shelves

    12 Apr 2011

    Researchers at Fraunhofer have devised a wireless, sensor-based system to provide continuous monitoring of the condition of storage shelves in warehouses.

  • Airwave Solutions acquires mobile data-capture specialist

    12 Apr 2011

    Kelvin Connect, a Glasgow University spin-out company that specialises in mobile data-capture systems, has been sold to Airwave Solutions for an undisclosed seven-figure sum.

  • CJ and Arkema agree MoU to build bio-methionine plant

    12 Apr 2011

    South-Korea-based CJ CheilJedang and French chemicals producer Arkema have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build a bio-methionine and thiochemicals platform in South East Asia (Malaysia or Thailand).

  • Low-carbon strategy published for vehicle manufacturers

    12 Apr 2011

    A long-term strategy aimed at helping manufacturers of commercial vehicles and construction equipment move to low-carbon solutions has been published.

  • BAE Systems equips UK Tornado fleet with HMCS

    12 Apr 2011

    British defence, security and aerospace company BAE Systems has announced that it is responding to an urgent operational requirement to equip the UK Tornado fleet with a Helmet Mounted Cueing System (HMCS).

  • Method improves laser control in optical communications

    12 Apr 2011

    Researchers in Switzerland have developed a technique that improves control over the wavelength and polarisation of lasers used in optical communications.

  • Siemens and BMV unveil wireless EV charging station

    12 Apr 2011

    Siemens and BMW have entered the wireless electric vehicle charging market with their version of inductive technology.

  • Novel sensing materials to improve water-purity testing

    11 Apr 2011

    Novel sensing materials that will improve water-purity testing are under development as part of a new European project.

  • Brain mapping could aid picture of neural networks

    11 Apr 2011

    A computer model for analysing conditions such as Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia could be in the pipeline thanks to a new brain-mapping technique.

  • Space celebrations

    11 Apr 2011

    Bittersweet space anniversaries dominate this week’s engineering events, while the effects of the Japanese earthquake are being felt in UK industry

  • Solid-state laser defends navy ship against small-boat threats

    11 Apr 2011

    The US Office of Naval Research has successfully tested a solid-state, high-energy laser from a ship that disabled a small target vessel.

  • Atlas Copco acquires Medical Gas Solutions from Penlon

    8 Apr 2011

    Swedish industrial company Atlas Copco has signed an agreement to acquire the Medical Gas Solutions business from Penlon, headquartered in the United Kingdom.

  • Raytheon subsidiary receives extension to Antarctic contract

    8 Apr 2011

    Raytheon Technical Services (RTSC), a subsidiary of Raytheon, has received a one-year extension to its contract with the National Science Foundation (NSF) in support of the US Antarctic Programme (USAP).

  • Counting the cost of Fukushima

    8 Apr 2011

    Despite events in Japan nuclear power must remain part of the solution says IMechE’s engineering chief Colin Brown

  • New antimicrobial material is immune to bacterial resistance

    8 Apr 2011

    Researchers have created a new class of antimicrobial agents that can physically detect and destroy antibiotic-resistant bacteria and infectious diseases such as MRSA.

  • GE plans to build thin-film solar-panel factory in US

    8 Apr 2011

    US conglomerate GE plans to build an advanced technology thin-film solar-panel factory in the US that, at capacity, will produce enough panels per year to power 80,000 homes annually.According to GE, the 400MW facility will be larger than any US solar-panel manufacturing plant in operation today and will employ 400 people, however, the location is not yet decided.

  • Defence company Penman acquires Creation UK

    8 Apr 2011

    Two UK-based, independent, privately owned defence, security and related technology companies have come together to create a new centre of design and engineering capability for land-systems products.In a contract of undisclosed value, Penman has acquired the entire business of Creation UK, the Hampshire-based independent design, prototype development and vehicle engineering house.

  • Crossrail awards Thames and Connaught tunnel contracts

    8 Apr 2011

    UK rail project Crossrail has announced its intention to award the remaining two tunnel contracts for the Thames Tunnel construction and Connaught Tunnel refurbishment , which are worth in the region of £225m and will deliver the construction of around 3km of twin-bored tunnel.

  • Alcoa and Codexis announce carbon-capture project

    8 Apr 2011

    Aluminium producer Alcoa has announced a pilot program, in collaboration with Codexis and C2O Solution, focused on carbon-capture technology designed to sequester industrial carbon emissions, neutralising the material to create a commercially viable product.

  • Schneider Electric acquires Lee Technologies

    8 Apr 2011

    UK-based energy management company Schneider Electric has acquired Lee Technologies, a service provider for the data centres of the North American market.

  • UK centre set to explore continuous manufacturing

    8 Apr 2011

    A new EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing will see researchers and academics work together to develop new techniques for continuous manufacturing and crystallisation.

  • Cumbrian landfill site to accept low-level radioactive waste

    8 Apr 2011

    Waste Recycling Limited has been granted a permit from the Environment Agency to accept waste containing very low levels of radioactivity at its Lillyhall landfill site near Workington.

  • Technology competitions aim to stimulate UK innovation

    8 Apr 2011

    The Technology Strategy Board is to invest up to £12m through three new competitions that it hopes will stimulate innovation across the UK.

  • Hannover hangover

    8 Apr 2011

    As the newest member of The Engineer’s editorial team, I was faced with the rite-of-passage that is Hannover Messe – the world’s largest industrial manufacturing fair – which took place this week in Germany.

  • Robotic system could improve keyhole bowel cancer surgery

    8 Apr 2011

    A robotic system that promises to improve the quality of ’keyhole’ bowel cancer surgery is being put to the test for the first time.

  • Fund will increase England's fleet of low-carbon buses

    8 Apr 2011

    Government funding of more than £46m will see 542 new low-carbon buses on roads across England by March 2012, according to transport minister Norman Baker.

  • Experts plan floating container port for Orkney Islands

    8 Apr 2011

    Maritime experts from Edinburgh Napier University’s Transport Research Institute have unveiled a plan to develop a floating container port for Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands.

  • Siemens delivers wind turbines to Community Windpower

    7 Apr 2011

    German engineering conglomerate Siemens has announced delivery of the first SWT3.0-101 Direct Drive technology wind turbines to the UK.The six wind turbines will be delivered to Community Windpower, a UK-based community windfarm developer.Installation is planned to commence in December 2011, with commissioning complete in early 2012.The wind turbines will be supported with a 15-year service agreement from Siemens.

  • Device unlocks potential of photosensitive chemicals

    7 Apr 2011

    A new drug-delivery device promises to unlock the potential of photosensitive chemicals to kill drug-resistant infections and potentially cancerous tumours.

  • Tactile devices could improve stroke rehabilitation

    7 Apr 2011

    Researchers at Southampton University have developed devices that could be used to rehabilitate people who have experienced a stroke.

  • Sudlows wins contract to build Co-operative data centre

    7 Apr 2011

    Infrastructure provider Sudlows has won a multi-million-pound contract to build a data centre facility for the new Co-operative headquarters in Manchester, scheduled to be operational by summer 2011.Designed to operate at Tier 3 resilience, the 4MVA data centre will incorporate energy-efficient EDRUPS Flywheel UPS technology.

  • Balfour Beatty acquires Power Efficiency consultancy

    7 Apr 2011

    Infrastructure group Balfour Beatty has announced that Balfour Beatty Workplace has acquired Power Efficiency, an energy procurement and carbon strategy consultancy, for a cash consideration of up to £18m.Power Efficiency, which is an employee-owned firm, provides energy procurement, invoice validation, compliance and carbon-reduction advisory services to a range of private-sector customers.

  • US DOJ awards SAIC IT services contract

    7 Apr 2011

    Science Applications International (SAIC) has been awarded a contract by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide a full range of information technology (IT) services in support of numerous federal agencies.

  • Project looks at commercial uses for ryegrass by-products

    7 Apr 2011

    A Welsh university is hoping to find novel commercial uses for the by-products of a greener fuel made from ryegrass.

  • Tata Steel awards Fluor gas-fired power plant contract

    7 Apr 2011

    EPCM provider Fluor has been awarded a six-month early engineering works contract by Tata Steel for a new production gas-fired power plant to be built at IJmuiden in The Netherlands.

  • Microsoft and Toyota partner up to build telematics platform

    7 Apr 2011

    Computing technologies company Microsoft and automobile manufacturer Toyota have forged a strategic partnership to build a global platform for TMC’s next-generation telematics services using the Windows Azure platform.

  • 3M plans to build photovoltaic materials factory in China

    7 Apr 2011

    US manufacturer 3M has announced, in conjunction with the Hefei High-tech Industrial Development Area, a plan to build a manufacturing site for photovoltaic solar materials and renewable energy products in Hefei High-tech Park, eastern China.

  • Maven and Simmons acquire Roberts and Wellclad

    7 Apr 2011

    UK private equity business Maven Capital Partners, in partnership with Simmons Parallel Energy, has led the £8.5m funding package to acquire two oil and gas businesses, Roberts Pipeline Machining and Wellclad.

  • Crédit Agricole Private Equity invests in Ikaros Solar

    7 Apr 2011

    Crédit Agricole Private Equity is investing in Belgium-based Ikaros Solar, a company that creates ’turnkey’ solar power plants on the roofs of mainly industrial and commercial buildings, through its FCPR Capenergie 2 fund.

  • Pentair acquires Clean Process Technologies from Norit

    7 Apr 2011

    US water technologies company Pentair has entered into an agreement to acquire the Clean Process Technologies (CPT), a provider of membrane technology and ultrafiltration, from privately held Norit Holding for €503m (£440.4m), plus net debt.

  • Ethiopian Airlines agrees to participate in Boeing's 777 CSP

    6 Apr 2011

    During the annual MRO Africa event, US aerospace company Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines announced an agreement for the Ethiopian flag carrier to participate in the 777 Component Services Programme (CSP).CSP is a parts-provisioning programme that significantly reduces the airline’s up-front investment in spare parts and offers a quick and reliable supply of critical parts from a pool shared by participating 777 operators.

  • Sleep test identifies patients' risk of cardiovascular disease

    6 Apr 2011

    Swedish researchers believe a customised pulse oximeter can be used to detect changes in heart and vessel function during sleep to identify patients at risk of cardiovascular disease.

  • Process uses nanotechnology to assess cancer drug delivery

    6 Apr 2011

    A Purdue University biochemist has demonstrated a process that utilises nanotechnology to better assess whether cancer drugs have reached their targets.

  • Project seeks bidders for CCS gas power station project

    6 Apr 2011

    The Energy Technologies Institute is looking for organisations to take part in a project to develop and demonstrate carbon-capture technologies for gas-fired power stations.

  • NREL considers secondary uses for electric vehicle batteries

    6 Apr 2011

    The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory is working with industrial and academic partners to find ways of reusing batteries from electric vehicles.

  • Engineers to the Launch Pad!

    6 Apr 2011

    Many companies in the private sector encourage their employees to suggest innovative ways in which the performance of their businesses might be improved, whether it’s through simple suggestion boxes or more formal brainstorming sessions.

  • Norweigian selects Rolls-Royce engines for Boeing aircraft

    6 Apr 2011

    Scandinavian airline Norwegian has selected Trent 1000 engines from power-systems company Rolls-Royce to power nine Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

  • BAE Systems wins contract to demonstrate Link 22 DLP

    6 Apr 2011

    The Tactical Data Link Delivery Team within the MoD’s Defence Equipment and Support organisation has awarded BAE Systems a £1m contract to demonstrate the Link 22 Data Link Processor (DLP) is for two of the Royal Navy’s newest ships — the UK’s Type 45 Destroyer and QE Class Carriers.

  • Pinnacle claims engine will offer reduction in fuel usage

    6 Apr 2011

    Pinnacle Engines plans to commercialise a new engine that it claims will enable significant reductions in fuel consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions without increasing vehicle cost.

  • Shaw and Axens to licence HS-FCC refinery technology

    6 Apr 2011

    Shaw, a provider of piping systems, engineering procurement and construction services, and Axens, a company engaged in the refining, petrochemical and natural gas sectors, have been selected to licence a next-generation catalytic cracking technology that will help refiners maximise the production of propylene and other high-value refinery products.

  • Congatec reports record annual revenue

    6 Apr 2011

    Congatec, a manufacturer of embedded computer modules, has recorded an annual revenue of €45.6m (£28.3m) in 2010, a new record for the company.With its embedded computer modules and accessories, the company increased sales by 75 per cent from the previous year.

  • Texas Instruments acquires National Semiconductor

    6 Apr 2011

    Analogue semiconductors producers Texas Instruments (TI) and National Semiconductor have signed a definitive agreement under which TI will acquire National for $25 (£15.4) per share in an all-cash transaction of about $6.5bn.

  • Space for improvement

    6 Apr 2011

    The gift of a statue of Yuri Gagarin is a poignant reminder of a more daring attitude to space engineering

  • Graphite nanoparticles get solar power plant application

    6 Apr 2011

    Mechanical engineers at Arizona State University hope to boost the efficiency and profitability of solar power plants using graphite nanoparticles.

  • BP sells Arco Aluminum to Japanese consortium

    6 Apr 2011

    Energy firm BP is to sell its wholly owned subsidiary Arco Aluminum to a consortium of Japanese companies for $680m (£421m) in cash.

  • ADS signs MoU with Swedish security and defence industry

    5 Apr 2011

    The UK’s aerospace, defence and security trade organisation, ADS, will sign a cooperative Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Swedish Security and Defence (SOFF) on Tuesday 5 April 2011 in Stockholm.

  • ATK wins EMD contract for US military's HTVSF programme

    5 Apr 2011

    Aerospace and defence supplier ATK has been awarded a $35.8m (£22.2m) contract for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the Hard Target Void Sensing Fuze (HTVSF) programme.

  • Manifesto puts UK's 'green economy' in the spotlight

    5 Apr 2011

    The Environmental Industries Commission has set out a series of recommendations on how a world-leading environmental industry might be established in the UK.

  • Wind contributes bigger share to UK's energy supply

    5 Apr 2011

    The contribution of wind to the UK’s energy supply in the fourth quarter of 2010 increased by 24 per cent compared with the same quarter the year before.

  • UK government commits funding to London's air quality

    5 Apr 2011

    Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has committed an additional £5m funding to the Mayor of London Boris Johnson to help improve air quality in the capital.

  • Study sees 'flaring' wastage in natural gas production

    5 Apr 2011

    A study by GE has estimated that five per cent of the world’s natural gas production is wasted by ’flaring’ unused gas each year — an amount equivalent to 30 per cent of consumption in the EU.

  • Medical gel is able to prevent scarring after sinus surgery

    5 Apr 2011

    Sinus sufferers around the world could benefit from a new gel co-developed by Adelaide University, which prevents scarring after surgery.

  • Acacia Pharma closes cancer-drugs funding round

    5 Apr 2011

    Acacia Pharma, a pharmaceutical company specialising in the development of drugs for cancer supportive care, has successfully closed a funding round, raising a total of $10m (£6.2m).

  • Birse Civils wins road contract for Wrexham Industrial Estate

    5 Apr 2011

    Yorkshire-based civil engineering company Birse Civils has been awarded the Wrexham Industrial Estate Access Road contract by Wrexham County Borough Council.

  • BAE Systems acquires Fairchild Imaging's outstanding equity

    5 Apr 2011

    British defence, security and aerospace company BAE Systems has completed the acquisition, first announced 21 January, of the outstanding equity of privately owned Fairchild Imaging.

  • Researchers locate detergent chemicals in UK drinking water

    5 Apr 2011

    According to researchers at Brunel University, chemicals used in dishwasher detergents have been found in UK drinking water.

  • Fluor wins contract for Copper Crossing solar power plant

    5 Apr 2011

    Solar panel manufacturer Sunpower has awarded EPCM provider Fluor a contract for the construction of the 20MW Copper Crossing photovoltaic solar power plant on 144 acres of formerly private agricultural land in Pinal County, Arizona.

  • BP to sell Arco Aluminium to Japanese consortium

    5 Apr 2011

    Oil and gas company BP has agreed the sale of its wholly owned subsidiary, Arco Aluminium, to a special-purpose vehicle incorporated by a consortium of Japanese companies.

  • Polymer-based solar-thermal device soaks up the sun

    5 Apr 2011

    Researchers in the US claim to have developed a new polymer-based solar-thermal device that generates power from heat and visible sunlight.

  • Forced landing leads to the inspection of cracks on aircraft

    4 Apr 2011

    Cracks have been discovered in three Southwest Airlines 737 aircraft subject to inspection following the forced landing of Southwest flight 812 on 1 April.

  • Lancaster wins award to aid new photonics research

    4 Apr 2011

    Lancaster University has been awarded €500,000 as part of a European programme to encourage the next generation of photonics researchers.

  • Jodrell Bank to co-ordinate square kilometre array plans

    4 Apr 2011

    Jodrell Bank Observatory is to become a planning ‘nerve centre’ for the world’s largest radio telescope project.

  • Surface-mount adhesives used in microchannel production

    4 Apr 2011

    Engineers in the US have devised a new method to use surface-mount adhesives in the production of low-temperature, microchannel heat exchangers.

  • Siemens and FCC to develop electric vehicles in Spain

    4 Apr 2011

    German engineering conglomerate Siemens and Spanish construction company FCC have reached an agreement to develop and implement electric vehicles in Spain.

  • China Longyuan Power orders Vestas wind turbines

    4 Apr 2011

    Wind-turbine manufacturer Vestas has signed its first order in 2011 with China Longyuan Power for 48MW.

  • Schneider Electric acquires Smartlink Network Systems

    4 Apr 2011

    Energy management company Schneider Electric has signed an agreement to acquire from Smartlink Network Systems the assets of the Digilink business, a provider of structured cabling systems in India.Headquartered in Mumbai, the Digilink business has 92 employees and generated sales of about INR 1.55b (£22.1m) in calendar year 2010.

  • 3M acquires diagnostic software from Zargis Medical

    4 Apr 2011

    US manufacturer 3M has acquired certain assets of Zargis Medical, maker of the only FDA-approved diagnostic software to classify suspected systolic and diastolic heart murmurs.

  • IndiGo orders Pratt & Whitney engines for Airbus fleet

    4 Apr 2011

    Indian carrier IndiGo has placed a firm order for 300 Pratt & Whitney Purepower PW1100G engines, to power its fleet of 150 new Airbus A320neo aircraft, with options for additional engines.IndiGo has also chosen Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies, to provide maintenance for these Purepower engines.

  • Alphacan divests French pipes business to Pipelife France

    4 Apr 2011

    Alphacan, a producer of PVC pipes and a subsidiary of the Arkema group, has announced a plan to divest its pipes business in France to Pipelife France, a subsidiary of the Pipelife group.

  • Goodrich acquires Microtecnica from SSCP Aero Holdings

    4 Apr 2011

    US aerospace manufacturer Goodrich has signed an agreement with SSCP Aero Holdings, a company backed by the European private equity firm Stirling Square Capital Partners, to acquire Microtecnica.

  • TSB to promote assisted-living technologies with DALLAS

    4 Apr 2011

    The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) is to invest up to £18m over four years to show how new technologies and innovative services can help support independent living for older people and people living with long-term conditions, and improve their quality of life.

  • Checking the fine detail

    4 Apr 2011

    Are you a business owner who winces when grumblings of “too many Chiefs, not enough Indians” emanate from the shop floor?

  • Short-rotation crops 'can be grown sustainably in England'

    4 Apr 2011

    Planting short-rotation energy crops on England’s unused agricultural land could produce enough biomass to meet renewable energy targets.

  • Goodrich acquires Microtecnica from SSCP Aero Holdings

    1 Apr 2011

    US aerospace manufacturer Goodrich has signed an agreement with SSCP Aero Holdings, a company backed by the European private equity firm Stirling Square Capital Partners, to acquire Microtecnica, a provider of flight control actuation systems for helicopter, regional and business aircraft, missile actuation and aircraft environmental-control systems.

  • Pratt and Whitney receives NASA contract modification

    1 Apr 2011

    NASA has signed a $36.9m (£22.9m) contract modification to space-shuttle main-engine manufacturer Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne of Canoga Park, California, to provide continued shuttle main-engine pre-launch and launch support from 1 April through 31 July.The contract modification also provides two additional options that if exercised, would bring the potential contract amount for all six months to $56m.

  • Further technology 'is needed to make EVs more attractive'

    1 Apr 2011

    New research shows that while US consumer interest in fully battery-operated electric vehicles (EVs) is relatively positive, the current electric offerings do not meet most consumers’ requirements.

  • MoD awards Frazer-Nash-led consortium MARS contract

    1 Apr 2011

    A consortium of companies, led by international engineering consultancy Frazer-Nash, has been awarded a contract to support the delivery of new Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker ships, as part of the MoD’s Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) programme.

  • First jatropha-based biofuel flight ready for take-off

    1 Apr 2011

    Interjet and Airbus are scheduled to conduct the first jatropha-based biofuel flight in Mexico later today using an Airbus A320 aircraft.

  • Spray-on material detects and disarms explosives

    1 Apr 2011

    A US chemist at Oklahoma State University has developed a spray-on material that detects explosives made from peroxides and renders them harmless.

  • Tidal Energy gets go-ahead to deploy DeltaStream device

    1 Apr 2011

    Tidal Energy has been given approval to deploy its 1.2MW DeltaStream tidal energy device in Ramsey Sound off Pembrokeshire.

  • Willetts announces formal launch of UK Space Agency

    1 Apr 2011

    The UK Space Agency has been formally launched as an executive agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

  • A winning idea for engineering

    1 Apr 2011

    The government thinks a Nobel Prize-style award could inspire the next generation of engineers. But it’s going to need some careful planning if it’s to succeed.

  • BP signs four coalbed methane contracts in Indonesia

    1 Apr 2011

    Oil and gas company BP has signed four new coalbed methane (CBM) production-sharing contracts (PSCs) in the Barito basin of South Kalimantan, Indonesia.

  • March's top 10 engineering wins

    1 Apr 2011

    Each month The Engineer picks 10 of the most notable contract news stories from our Business Briefs archive. March saw several contracts signed in the energy sector, including one, perhaps spurred by the Fukushima crisis in Japan, concerning the monitoring of nuclear plants. As the world watched Western military forces enter the Libyan conflict, major contracts were signed in the defence sector. ...

  • FCC and Mitsui close funding for Gúzman thermal plant

    1 Apr 2011

    Spanish construction company FCC and Japanese conglomerate Mitsui, partners in the Gúzman solar thermal power plant project, have closed the funding for the project with a €226m loan.

  • Fusion IP announces progressive interim results

    1 Apr 2011

    Fusion IP, a university IP commercialisation company targeted at turning world-class research into business, has announced its interim results for the six months ended 31 January 2011.These include a 15 per cent increase in revenue and portfolio returns, to £2.1m from £1.81m recorded at the end of January 2010.Increased profits excluding subsidiary spin-out costs and amortisation increased by 42 per cent to £1.22m, compared to £0.86 recorded for the previous year.

  • Quiñenco buys most of Shell's Downstream business in Chile

    1 Apr 2011

    Netherlands-based oil and gas company Shell has agreed to sell most of its Downstream business in Chile to Quiñenco for a total consideration of $614m (£381.7m).

  • Festo's biomechatronic bird flies and lands autonomously

    1 Apr 2011

    A research team at Festo has developed SmartBird, a biomechatronic bird that can take off, fly and land autonomously.

  • Turkish Airlines orders 15 Boeing 737 aircraft

    1 Apr 2011

    US aerospace and defence company Boeing has announced that Istanbul-based carrier Turkish Airlines has exercised options for 15 Next-Generation 737s.

  • UK researchers pioneer development of robotic bureaucrats

    1 Apr 2011

    Engineers at the UK’s Robotics Research Institute (RRI) have received a £60 million grant to develop intelligent robots that could dramatically reduce the operating costs of local authorities and even central government.

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The Engineer 14 May 2012

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