The Engineer
December 2011 Online
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Speed-sailing boat incorporates elements from glider aircraft
4 Jan 2012
The Vestas SailRocket II is aiming to take speed sailing to a new level with a radical design that incorporates elements from glider aircraft.
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December's top 10 contract wins in engineering
3 Jan 2012
Each month, The Engineer picks 10 of the most notable news stories from our Business Briefs archive.
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Surgery as you’ve never seen it before
3 Jan 2012
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.
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The Engineer's Top 10 Technologies of 2011
23 Dec 2011
It’s time for The Engineer’s roundup of the year’s best technology stories, our pick of the most groundbreaking, influential or exciting developments in engineering over the last 12 months.
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Sensor device pinpoints exact location of cable damage
23 Dec 2011
A sensor device for telecommunications cables is able to pinpoint the exact location of damage using self-diagnosing technologies.
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Researchers double organic semiconductor conductivity
23 Dec 2011
Stanford University engineers have created strained lattice organic semiconductors that conduct electricity twice as well as any existing organic material.
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How your Christmas present might revolutionise sports science
23 Dec 2011
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.
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Tissue Regenix raises £25m for developing dCELL technology
23 Dec 2011
Tissue Regenix has successfully raised £25m through a share placing that will be used to invest in further research and development.
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Stora Enso awards Metso recovery boiler contract
22 Dec 2011
Metso and Stora Enso have signed an agreement on the single-drum conversion of Stora Enso’s Imatra Mills’ recovery boiler.The conversion of the recovery boiler will be completed in the fall of 2012.The upper and lower drum of the recovery boiler and the steam-generating bank between them will be replaced by a new drum and separate boiler bank elements needed for heat recovery.At the same time, the second stage of the economiser will be rebuilt.
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VU University Medical Center installs Philips PET/MR system
22 Dec 2011
Royal Philips Electronics and the VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, have signed an agreement to install one of Philips’ Ingenuity TF PET/MR (Time-of-Flight Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance) scanners at the centre.
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Indian Railways awards Cintec bridge analysis contract
22 Dec 2011
Newport-based structural engineering company Cintec has been awarded a contract with Indian Railways worth £400,000.
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RWE and Gazprom terminate talks on potential joint venture
22 Dec 2011
German public utility company RWE and Russian natural gas extractor Gazprom today agreed to terminate at the end of the year their exclusive talks on a potential joint venture for the construction and operation of power stations in Germany, the UK and the Netherlands.
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3D motion analysis facility could help prevent injuries
22 Dec 2011
Britain’s Olympic runners now have the country’s first three-dimensional motion analysis facility at their disposal.
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Dalkia receives consent for waste-wood power plant
22 Dec 2011
Dalkia has been granted consent to build a 53MW waste-wood power plant in Pollington, Yorkshire.
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Spider-like robot could be used in disaster-relief operations
22 Dec 2011
Researchers at Osaka University have created Asterisk, a spider-like robot that can run, cartwheel and climb walls and stairs.
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Millimetre-wave imager detects hidden faults more safely
22 Dec 2011
A millimetre-wave sensor developed by the Fraunhofer Institute is reported to be able to see through all non-transparent materials without emitting harmful rays.
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SMMT reports on a strong year for the UK automotive industry
22 Dec 2011
Total vehicle and engine production in the UK is set to end the year five per cent above levels recorded in 2010, according to the SMMT.
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European Commission launches environmental tech programme
21 Dec 2011
The European Commission is launching the Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) pilot programme, which is targeted to help companies that are developing innovative environmental technologies.ETV will provide independent verification of the performance of new environmental technologies, helping manufacturers to prove the reliability of their performance claims and helping technology purchasers to identify innovations that suit their needs.
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Google invests in utility-scale US solar photovoltaic projects
21 Dec 2011
Google has made its first investment in North America’s utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) industry.
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Oil and gas firm Nexus turns focus towards software
21 Dec 2011
Oil and gas risk mitigation company Nexus has been acquired by Aberdeen-born businessman Mark Cavanagh and is now trading as NexusAB, with a focus on the development and sales of bespoke software aimed at the sub-surface sector within the oil and gas industry.
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Self-healing electrical circuit could aid space applications
21 Dec 2011
A self-healing system that restores electrical conductivity to a cracked circuit has been developed in the US.
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Team claims a cost-effective method for producing fuel cells
21 Dec 2011
Researchers at Aalto University in Finland claim to have developed a significantly cheaper method for manufacturing fuel cells.
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British Water and Israeli R&D agency MATIMOP sign MoU
21 Dec 2011
British Water, which represents the UK water industry supply chain, and MATIMOP, the Israeli agency for industrial R&D, have signed an agreement that will enable the water industries of each country to collaborate more closely on tenders and research projects.
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The Engineer's notoriously-unreliable crystal ball
21 Dec 2011
Stuart Nathan attempts to take a look at what the year ahead might have in store for technology and engineering, but the future is cloudy.
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Saab Aircraft Leasing reports five aircraft transactions
21 Dec 2011
Saab Aircraft Leasing (SAL) has announced five transactions of Saab aircraft with a total value of approximately $60m (£38.5m).
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Japan Ministry of Defense selects Lockheed Martin fighter
21 Dec 2011
Japan’s Ministry of Defense has selected the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II as the Japan Air Self Defense Force’s (JASDF) next-generation fighter aircraft, following the F-X competitive bid process.
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Sterecycle raises £5.1m in equity finance from investors
21 Dec 2011
Sterecycle, a waste treatment and renewable power company, has raised £5.1m in equity finance from four investors.
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PJD announces growth plans following investment from LDC
20 Dec 2011
UK-based mechanical engineering business PJD has announced growth plans following investment from LDC, a private equity provider and part of the Lloyds Banking Group.
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MMPA awards Xergi supply contract for US biogas plant
20 Dec 2011
Denmark-based biogas company Xergi has signed a contract with the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA) for the establishment of a biogas plant in Le Sueur, Minnesota, US.
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UK MoD and BAE sign contract for combat air systems
20 Dec 2011
The UK Ministry of Defence has signed a £40m research contract with BAE Systems for combat air systems.
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Research provides insight into ultrafast laser pulse behaviour
20 Dec 2011
Insights into the behaviour of ultrafast laser pulses could improve their performance in manufacturing, diagnostics and research.
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Scientists in Germany create acoustic invisibility cloak
20 Dec 2011
Scientists in Germany have demonstrated an acoustic invisibility cloak made from material that can guide sound waves around an object.
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Heated nano cantilever tip can make electronic measurements
20 Dec 2011
Researchers at Illinois University claim they have found a way to make electronic measurements with a heated nano-tip.
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General Motors prepares for Chevrolet Impala production
20 Dec 2011
General Motors will invest $68m (£43.8m) to prepare the Oshawa Assembly Plant to build the next-generation Chevrolet Impala — GM’s fifth new product commitment to Canada since 2009 — securing approximately 350 jobs.Combined with the recent investment to support the launch of the Cadillac XTS in 2012, GM is committing $185m to Oshawa, which will create or retain approximately 750 jobs.
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ABB invests in California-based photovoltaics firm GreenVolts
20 Dec 2011
ABB is investing around $20m into California-based GreenVolts, a provider of turnkey concentrating photovoltaic systems.
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Sofradir wins contract to provide satellite IR detectors
19 Dec 2011
Sofradir, a developer and manufacturer of advanced infrared detectors for military, space and industrial applications, has been awarded a contract in the value of tens of millions of euros to manufacture Infrared (IR) detectors for the engineering and flight model phases for the next generation of European meteorological satellites, MTG.
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Astrium acquires satellite services company Vizada
19 Dec 2011
Astrium, an aerospace subsidiary of EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space) has completed the acquisition of Vizada after receiving the necessary regulatory approvals.Vizada is an independent provider of global satellite communications services and will be integrated into Astrium Services.This acquisition represents a total consideration of €673m (£564m) and contributes to EADS’ strategic Vision 2020.
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Shoreham Port set to become a centre for low-carbon energy
19 Dec 2011
A Development Plan that will provide the investment into making a major south coast port a centre for low-carbon energy and sustainability has been agreed between MITIE, a strategic outsourcing and energy services company, and Shoreham Port Authority.
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Areva awards Rolls-Royce I&C supply contract for EDF project
19 Dec 2011
Power systems company Rolls-Royce has won a €250m (£209.6m) contract with Areva to supply safety instrumentation and control (I&C) technologies and systems for the French nuclear reactor modernisation programme.
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Method enables assessment of fire's effects on materials
19 Dec 2011
Scientists in Spain have developed a way to accurately assess the effects of fire on different materials using infrared technology.
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Team develops technique for removing metals from water
19 Dec 2011
Engineers at Brown University claim they have developed a system that can remove heavy metals from water.
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MRI contrast agent could improve cancer diagnosis
19 Dec 2011
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent is able to directly target tumours, potentially allowing improved diagnosis.
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Ghosts of Christmas Presents
19 Dec 2011
The world of conferences and events seems to have ground to a halt so instead The Engineer takes a look at gift ideas for youngsters.
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Waste-treatment facility will use anaerobic digestion
19 Dec 2011
Planning permission has been granted for a £15m waste-treatment facility that will employ autoclave processing and advanced anaerobic digestion.
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E.ON announces details of Humber Gateway wind farm
19 Dec 2011
E.ON has announced that its Humber Gateway wind farm will consist of a 73-turbine array that will generate up to 219MW of electricity.
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Human tests begin on robot exoskeleton
16 Dec 2011
Six people with traumatic spinal cord injuries have tested Ekso, the robotic exoskeleton from Ekso Bionics.
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AIB Seed Capital Fund invests in flow battery developer Red-T
16 Dec 2011
The AIB Seed Capital Fund, managed by Dublin BIC, has led a €900,000 (£756,000) investment in Red-T, a developer of flow battery technology.
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Automation company HiTrack secures project in west Africa
16 Dec 2011
Electrical control and automation company HiTrack has secured a project in west Africa worth £250,000, bringing the total value of contracts won since the company’s September open day to £400,000.
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Fundamental fusion
16 Dec 2011
Those who portray the magnetic fusion project ITER as a funding sink are wrong; it’s a cutting-edge engineering project with a crucial goal, and good value for money.
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Mussett builds dedicated aerospace production facility
16 Dec 2011
Norfolk-based Mussett Aerospace is creating a dedicated 12,000ft2 aerospace production area within its factory’s existing footprint, which will create more space for the company’s staff and machining centres.Some existing machinery and equipment will be transferred into the new area from other workshops within the factory and the company will be investing in new five-axis milling machines and live tooling turning centres.
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Bombardier wins contract to supply extra LRVs to Germany
16 Dec 2011
Bombardier Transportation, the rail-equipment division of Canadian company Bombardier, has won an order to supply an additional 78 Bombardier Flexity Swift high-floor light rail vehicles (LRVs) and 10 Flexity Classic trams to the Frankfurt Transport Authority, VGF in Germany.
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Northamptonshire's motorsport expertise gains recognition
16 Dec 2011
A report published today by Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership has revealed that the successful diversification of Northamptonshire’s motorsport expertise has led to a ‘High Performance Technologies’ cluster in the county.
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Researchers at NASA start developing comet harpoon
15 Dec 2011
Scientists at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre are in the early stages of designing a sample-collecting comet harpoon.
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Welsh research centre drives development of low carbon building technology
15 Dec 2011
In Wales’ heavy industry heartland a bold vision of the built environment is taking shape
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Breath-analysis devices can detect exposure to toxins
15 Dec 2011
Engineers are designing breath-analysis devices that can give an accurate picture of exposure to environmental contaminants.
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Two UK nuclear reactor plans receive interim acceptance
14 Dec 2011
Generic designs for two nuclear reactors proposed for construction in the UK have today been granted interim acceptance.
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Report claims north of England could become a nuclear leader
14 Dec 2011
Northern England could become one of the world’s leading nuclear manufacturing hubs, according to a report from Manchester University.
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Foresight will investigate future of UK's manufacturing to 2050
14 Dec 2011
Government advisory service Foresight has started a project to investigate the future of manufacturing up to 2050.
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Faun Trackway supplies HGMS products to Turkish military
14 Dec 2011
Military product manufacturer Faun Trackway, the defence division of Llangefni-based Faun-Zoeller, has completed a £18m order to supply its portable roadway products to the Turkish military.
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Island Offshore awards Rolls-Royce service vessels contract
14 Dec 2011
Power systems provider Rolls-Royce has won a £15m order to provide design, equipment and integrated power and propulsion systems for two offshore service vessels belonging to ship owner Island Offshore.
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RWE Innogy Aersa increases shares in wind farm company
14 Dec 2011
RWE Innogy Aersa has acquired a 47.5 per cent stake in the Spanish wind farm operator Explotaciones Eólicas de Aldehuelas, increasing its share in the company to 95 per cent.
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Caterpillar set to invest £50m in UK manufacturing facilities
14 Dec 2011
Caterpillar’s Building Construction Products Division is to invest £50m in its UK manufacturing facilities for new products and expanded production facilities in Leicestershire and Stoke-on-Tees.
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Camera acquires data at one trillion exposures per second
14 Dec 2011
MIT researchers have created a camera that can acquire visual data at a rate of one trillion exposures per second.
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Karachaganak partners reach agreement with Kazakhstan
14 Dec 2011
US energy company Chevron has confirmed that the Karachaganak project partners have reached an agreement with the government of Kazakhstan for it to become a 10 per cent equity owner in the Karachaganak project.
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Kier Bam wins Hinkley Point C site preparation contract
13 Dec 2011
The contract for site-preparation works at the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station has been awarded to Kier Bam.
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Southwest Airlines orders world's first Boeing 737 MAX
13 Dec 2011
Dallas-based carrier Southwest Airlines has announced a firm order for 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, making it the launch customer for the new-engine variant, as well as for 58 next-generation 737s.
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e2v to supply camera system for J-PAS northern sky survey
13 Dec 2011
Imaging technology company e2v has signed a multi-million dollar contract for a two-year programme to supply the complete camera system for the Javalambre physics of the accelerating universe astrophysical survey (J-PAS) project.
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Nexeon collaborates with automotive OEM on EV project
13 Dec 2011
Lithium-ion battery producer Nexeon is collaborating with a tier-one automotive OEM with a view to optimising the company’s technology for electric vehicle (EV) applications.
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Petroplus orders refinery safety systems from Hima-Sella
13 Dec 2011
Safety systems company Hima-Sella has received an order for the end-of-life replacement of Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) within two processing units at Petroplus’s Coryton Refinery in Stanford-le-Hope in Essex, UK.
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Rapid prototyping helps create aircraft to study atmosphere
13 Dec 2011
Scientists at Southampton University have used rapid prototyping to create an aircraft that will be used to study the Earth’s atmosphere.
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Rolls-Royce invests in significant facilities expansion
13 Dec 2011
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is investing in a significant expansion of its Assembly Hall and Surface Finish Centre.
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Team claims to have made world's smallest steam engine
13 Dec 2011
Researchers in Germany claim they have made the world’s smallest steam engine.
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Cameron’s veto could make life doubly hard for UK manufacturers
13 Dec 2011
It’s not yet certain what repercussions David Cameron’s European walk-out will have, but it’s becoming increasingly clear that beyond the euro-sceptics within his own party and elements of the right-wing press, not many people seem to think it was a very good idea.
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Cement company Anhui Conch awards contract to Camco
13 Dec 2011
Clean energy technology company Camco has signed contracts with Anhui Conch, one of China’s largest cement producers.
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Wireless sensor device quickly measures E. coli levels in water
13 Dec 2011
A sensor-based device capable of quickly measuring E. coli levels in water samples has been developed in the US.
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Kineo CAM wins contract with major robot manufacturer
12 Dec 2011
French technology company Kineo CAM has entered into an agreement with a major robot manufacturer to deliver a complete software architecture and software components.
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Low-profile military antennas could replace current models
12 Dec 2011
Large antennas used by the military could be replaced with low-profile, broadband antennas.
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PwC survey warns of mineral shortage's harmful effects
12 Dec 2011
A shortage of minerals and metals including beryllium, cobalt and flurospar could adversely impact supply chains and economies, according to a new survey.
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Network Rail plans to improve Swansea to Gowerton railway
12 Dec 2011
A £40m plan to improve the rail infrastructure between Swansea and Gowerton was unveiled today as Network Rail submitted its proposal to Carmarthenshire Council.
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Exxonmobil agrees to help Badger Explorer develop device
12 Dec 2011
Technology developer Badger Explorer has signed a three-year development agreement with ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Norway, whereby the oil company will sponsor the Badger Explorer demonstrator programme for the period 2012–2014.
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Conductix-Wampfler to supply metro systems in Canada
12 Dec 2011
Salford-based mobile energy company Conductix-Wampfler has secured two contracts in Canada to supply metro systems in Toronto and Montreal.
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Etihad Airways makes further orders for Boeing aircraft
12 Dec 2011
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, today announced an order for 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and two Boeing 777 Freighters.
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EDF awards Areva monitoring and control systems contract
12 Dec 2011
Energy supplier EDF has awarded Areva with a contract worth more than €600m (£512m) to upgrade the monitoring and control systems that guarantee the safety of its 1300MW power plants (Paluel, Flamanville, Saint-Alban, Cattenom, Belleville, Nogent sur Seine, Golfech and Penly).
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FES completes first phase of project with Saipem Drilling
12 Dec 2011
FES International has completed the first phase of a major project with Saipem Drilling, in which it supplied a range of products, enabling fluid flushing and pressure testing to support the delivery of the Nord Stream consumer gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea.Worth more than $1m (£638,000), the ongoing project saw FES supply international drilling contractor Saipem Drilling with 24 bespoke hot stabs to connect two main systems at the pre-commissioning stage.
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'Seeker' navigation system could take Mars rovers further
12 Dec 2011
Future Mars rovers could travel further than ever before without human intervention thanks to an autonomous navigation system being designed in the UK.
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Taking telematics on the road to improve automotive safety
12 Dec 2011
This week’s events look at automotive automation, the Make it in Great Britain campaign and an online quiz that tests participants’ knowledge of energy usage.
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Direct Energy acquires Carrot Creek Assets from Encana
12 Dec 2011
Centrica’s North American subsidiary, Direct Energy, has agreed to acquire a package of liquids-rich natural gas assets located in west central Alberta (the Carrot Creek Assets) from Encana for C$58m (£37m) in cash.
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Modern Water acquires division of Strategic Diagnostics
12 Dec 2011
Water technologies company Modern Water has acquired the water quality division of Strategic Diagnostics, including its Microtox toxicity testing technology.
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Graphene could improve the efficiency of drilling for oil
12 Dec 2011
Graphene could become essential to efficient and environmentally sound oil production, according to Rice University researchers.
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Device for the avoidance of volcanic ash clouds has trial
9 Dec 2011
A device that could help pilots avoid volcanic ash clouds has been successfully trialled on a small aircraft flying over Mount Etna.
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Self-sufficient town planned for Scotland appoints energy firm
9 Dec 2011
Plans to create Scotland’s largest energy-self-sufficient community have moved a step forward with the appointment of an energy services company to deliver the £35m project.
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ALC finalises order for four Boeing Dreamliner aircraft
9 Dec 2011
Aerospace company Boeing and Air Lease Corporation (ALC) have finalised an order for four 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.ALC also exercised options for four Next-Generation 737-800s.The order, with a list-price value of more than $1.2bn (£637.3m), marks the completion of an agreement announced during the Paris Air Show in June.The aircraft joins the 74 Next-Generation 737-800s and five 777-300ER (Extended Range) aircraft that ALC currently has on order.
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Thales Alenia Space awards e2v satellite sensor contract
9 Dec 2011
Technology company e2v has signed a multi-million-Euro contract with Thales Alenia Space for the design, development and manufacture of a space-qualified CMOS imaging sensor for use in the Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) instrument of the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG), a programme of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT).
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EDF and GE Energy sign agreement to co-develop CCGT
9 Dec 2011
French utility company EDF and US firm GE Energy have signed a partnership agreement to co-develop the first next-generation combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) featuring GE Energy’s FlexEfficiency 50 technology.This combined-cycle gas turbine, due to begin production in 2015, will have an installed capacity of 510MW — enough to provide electricity to an equivalent of 600,000 French households.
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US Department for Defense selects QinetiQ as supplier
9 Dec 2011
Defence and security company QinetiQ has been elected by the US Department for Defense as a key training and simulation services supplier for the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division’s (NAWCTSD) Training Systems as part of a group of 28 companies providing training and simulation services to the US Navy.
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Adrok receives investment from Teck Resources
9 Dec 2011
Edinburgh-based technology developer Adrok has announced an investment of more than £3m from client Teck Resources, a Canada-based diversified resource company focused on responsible mining and mineral development with major business units focused on copper, steel making, coal, zinc and energy.
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Chevron announces $32.7bn spending programme
9 Dec 2011
Energy corporation Chevron has announced a $32.7bn (£20.8bn) capital and exploratory spending programme for 2012, which includes $3bn of planned expenditures by affiliates that do not require cash outlays by Chevron.Total investments for 2011 are estimated at $33bn, reflecting approximately $28bn in capital and exploratory expenditures and $4.5bn for the acquisition of Atlas Energy, which closed earlier in the year.
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Technology can simultaneously monitor all points of a pipeline
9 Dec 2011
Engineers in the UK have developed a way to simultaneously monitor every point along an underwater pipeline using fibre-optic cable.
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It came from the skies
9 Dec 2011
The government catapulted us with innovation and research policy yesterday, with an eye clearly on its wallet. But could a potential windfall be on its way?
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Thales acquires SATCOM company Tampa Microwave
9 Dec 2011
Electronic systems company Thales has signed an agreement to acquire Tampa Microwave, a privately held company specialising in tactical satellite communications (SATCOM) terminals and related products for government and commercial customers.
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Balqon demonstrates battery powered electric yard tractor
9 Dec 2011
Electric vehicle manufacturer Balqon has announced the successful demonstration of a battery-powered, all-electric yard tractor that incorporates the company’s XR E20 electric drive system into a chassis developed by Mol Transport Solutions.
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UK business secretary launches advanced manufacturing fund
9 Dec 2011
An initiative worth up to £125m is being established to improve the global competitiveness of UK advanced manufacturing supply chains.
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Nessco doubles its turnover following a successful year
8 Dec 2011
Oil and gas telecommunications company Nessco is set to double its turnover this year to £34m following a number of global contracts.
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Satellite set to monitor Earth's atmospheric chemistry
8 Dec 2011
Astrium has signed a €45.5m (£39m) contract to build a satellite that could improve our understanding of the Earth’s atmosphere.
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Research claims nuclear power could help to reduce emissions
8 Dec 2011
A report by Manchester University claims nuclear power could contribute significantly to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions in the UK but not without consequences.
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Technique enables computers to find visually similar images
7 Dec 2011
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University believe computers can mimic the human ability to find visually similar images.
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Good riddance to bad rubbish
7 Dec 2011
After many years, the government has finally come to a decision about what to do with Britain’s massive and embarrassing plutonium stockpile, but it still seems to be dragging its feet over taking action. It’s time to get rid of this poisonous stuff.
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Rolls-Royce wins contract from Gulf Offshore North Sea
7 Dec 2011
Power systems company Rolls-Royce has secured a £10m contract to design and equip two offshore supply vessels for ship owner Gulf Offshore North Sea.
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West Midlands component suppliers experience growth
6 Dec 2011
The majority of component suppliers in the West Midlands have enjoyed a major year of growth, it was announced last night at the annual Manufacturing Advisory Service-West Midlands (MAS-WM) Auto Director’s meeting.
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YFM Equity Partners invests in the power-management sector
6 Dec 2011
YFM Equity Partners has invested £4.5m in PowerOasis to help accelerate the business’ plans in the $3bn (£2bn) power-management market for mobile telecoms companies.
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Will the government's proposed large infrastructure projects be sufficient to lift Britain out of a second recession?
6 Dec 2011
Previous Poll ResultsWill the government’s proposed large infrastructure projects be sufficient to lift Britain out of a second recession?You answered:Yes21%No79%
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Laboratory creates prototype microchip from molybdenum
6 Dec 2011
A material that surpasses certain physical limits of silicon has been used to fabricate a prototype microchip in Switzerland.
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EEF's Q4 outlook survey shows fall in manufacturing activity
5 Dec 2011
Manufacturing activity has fallen back in the last quarter in response to growing economic uncertainty in major markets.
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Regenerative medicine projects to receive government funding
5 Dec 2011
Fourteen research and development projects focused on regenerative medicines are to benefit from nearly £8.5m of government grant award funding.
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Transaero Airlines signs order for eight A320neo aircraft
5 Dec 2011
Transaero Airlines, Russia’s second largest airline, has signed a firm order for eight A320neo aircraft following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in August at the International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS-2011 in Moscow.Transaero Airlines is planning to operate the aircraft on its extended medium-haul network of domestic and international routes as part of its expansion strategy and fleet renewal programme.
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Silvaco wins contract for software modelling project
5 Dec 2011
Silvaco, a provider of computer-aided design (TCAD) and electronic design automation (EDA) software, and its partners have been awarded a €4.9m (£4.2m) project to develop advanced software modelling methods.
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Clyde Bergemann Aurburn to build power plants in Africa
5 Dec 2011
Clyde Bergemann Auburn, the gas-handling division of Clyde Bergemann Power, has secured contracts totalling more than $20m (£12.8m) to supply equipment and services for power plants being constructed in Africa and the Middle East.
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Initiative will offer test facilities for marine renewable energy
5 Dec 2011
University College Cork is leading a €9m (£7.7m) EU-funded initiative to provide access to test facilities in specialist marine renewable energy centres across Europe.
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Network Rail places order for £35m electrification train
5 Dec 2011
Network Rail has placed an order worth £35m for a factory train designed to assist the Great Western main-line electrification project.
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Research suggests fossil-fuel emissions have risen sharply
5 Dec 2011
Global CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels have increased by 49 per cent in the last two decades, according to figures from an international team.
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Software improves autonomy of robotic ocean surveillance
5 Dec 2011
Software installed in undersea gliders allows the robotic vehicles to survey large swaths of ocean more effectively.
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Low Carbon homes, EVs and the case for a "supergrid"
5 Dec 2011
This week’s events consider the requirements of low-carbon homes, more debate on optimising electric vehicles and a look at the technical, economical and political challenges of wind projects.
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Scientists create transistor compatible with living cells
5 Dec 2011
A graphene-based transistor compatible with living biological cells and capable of recording the electrical signals they generate has been demonstrated in Germany.
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2011 Technology and Innovation Award Winners Revealed
2 Dec 2011
The Engineer is pleased to announce the winners of the Technology and Innovation awards for 2011.
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Software could help optimise energy consumption of cities
2 Dec 2011
Researchers at the Technical University of Madrid have created ‘shadow models’ and a type of software that calculates the amount of solar radiation that reaches streets and buildings.
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Graphene discovery could be vital to future nanotechnology
2 Dec 2011
Researchers from the London Centre for Nanotechnology have made a discovery that could help graphene play a key role in the future of nanotechnology.
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Researchers develop electronic switch from single molecule
2 Dec 2011
US researchers claim to have developed a new type of electronic switch that performs electronic logic functions within a single molecule.
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Taking energy efficiency to a lower level
2 Dec 2011
A planned heating and cooling scheme to link some of London’s most prestigious buildings could point the way for efficiency in the capital.
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Research team sets out to reduce jet-engine emissions
2 Dec 2011
Manchester University is heading a four-year research project to create a key component in reducing jet-engine emissions.??
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BMW and Toyota sign MoU for developing green technologies
1 Dec 2011
Automobile manufacturers BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) concerning a mid-to-long-term collaboration on next-generation environment-friendly technologies.
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BP agrees to sell Canadian NGL business to Plains Midstream
1 Dec 2011
London-based oil and gas company BP has agreed to sell its Canadian natural gas liquids (NGL) business to Plains Midstream Canada, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Plains All American Pipeline.
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November's top 10 contract wins in engineering
1 Dec 2011
Each month, The Engineer picks 10 of the most notable news stories from our Business Briefs archive.
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BAE Systems signs contract to restore historic warship
1 Dec 2011
HMS Victory, the oldest commissioned warship in the world, will undergo an extensive restoration at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard as part of a £16m contract with BAE Systems.
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3D modelling technique could help improve face transplants
1 Dec 2011
Doctors in the US have combined conventional medical imaging with 3D modelling techniques to change the way plastic surgeons prepare for face transplants.
