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Who knows what drought is?
Many areas of the UK have been told recently that they’re both in drought and in danger of flooding. Is it time for some new terminology?
Is the UK automotive industry on the road to revival?
A strong engineering base, improved industrial relations and support from the government has seen the UK’s automotive industry enjoy something of a renaissance, but is continued growth in the sector sustainable?
Is Chinese manufacturing heading for a crisis?
China has built its economy on cheap labour, but with it’s middle-class growing rapidly, how much longer can this last? From “somewhere in England” the Secret Engineer ponders the future of the dragon economy
Ancient advantage
A TV show on the ancient Greeks’ invention of the computer highlights the importance and preserving and sharing knowledge.
The rail thing
Does HS2 need the backing of high profile political heavyweights in order to get the scheme on track?
Breeze bloc
The pros and cons of renewable energy generation are up for discussion this week, while the low carbon car sector shows off its capabilities
Bridging the gap
There are plenty of bridges in place now to aid the transition of basic research into the market, but is it enough?
The Dreamliner has landed
Aerospace and automotive dominate this week’s events, with the 787 Dreamliner touring Britain and engineers asking if cars can be green, fast and fun.
Carbon capture and storage: a risk worth taking?
Developing carbon capture and storage might be risky but we won’t be able to make informed decisions if we don’t.
Management, machining and more
MACH 2012, management skills, and snake-arm robots dominate this week’s proceedings.
Why can't the UK do government-led projects?
What’s behind Britain’s well-known problems with publicly-funded engineering projects? From his (or her) lair behind the broom cupboard, The Secret Engineer tries to unravel the cynicism.
Iceland's volcanoes could power the UK: but at what cost?
A proposal to link the UK’s electricity grid to geothermal energy sources in Iceland is an intriguing version of a long-mooted European supergrid, but the costs need to be carefully examined.
Do engineers make good managers?
Why do so many good engineers struggle so much with the management of people? The Secret Engineer broke cover to give us his, or her, opinions
Catapult Centres launch UK technology into the marketplace
The UK’s new Catapult Centres will help businesses exploit the commercial potential of our world-leading research base writes TSB chief Iain Gray
Easter rebirth for UK manufacturing at MACH
With Easter around the corner, Briefing brings you two weeks worth of events, most notably this year’s MACH 2012 manufacturing exhibition.
Cutting the jargon is key to investor success
Cleantech companies on a trip to California are finding that clear explanations are a vital part of pitching their innovations to investors
Cleantech goes west
British firms heading to California, electric-powered transport, apprenticeships and engineering in titanium are on the agenda this week
In for the long haul
The budget contained some promising initiatives but the government needs to hold its nerve and follow through with a grander long-term vision for UK manufacturing.
Focus on manufacturing
Manufacturing dominates this week’s events, with the Make it in Great Britain Challenge and Sheffield’s Global Manufacturing Festival looking to dispel myths surrounding the sector
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Virtual mirrors and RFID technology could change the way we shop in the near future - but the results might not please everyone.
Cars, kids and things
This week’s events see experts discuss Britain’s automotive future, including the prospect of driverless cars, plus everyday technologies linked via the internet to improve our lives.
Manufacturing marque-up
Could a ‘Made in Britain’ marque help revive the UK’s manufacturing exports? And how would it reflect the reality of the UK’s manufacturing sector?
Geneva Motor Show plays host to a knee-trembling debut
Briefing may have an automotive theme but there’s still room for science and engineering outreach events, plus a conference that brings business leaders and top politicians under one roof.
Thought leaders
The very thought of soldiers firing missiles with their minds is enough to send a shiver down the spine of even the most hardened observer of defence technology. But according to the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, the idea isn’t as far-fetched as it might sound.
Science, engineering and sport: what do we think?
Steve Haake looks back at his first Olympic-themed science lecture of 2012, where the audience was asked their opinions on the morality of technology-based training — and how it compares with illegal performance aids such as doping.
Wind farms, female engineers and Thameslink under the spotlight
The controversy that mires onshore wind continued over the weekend with a number of MPs writing to the PM arguing for a cut in wind farm subsidies.
Mind over matter
Machine-brain interfaces are becoming ever more complex and no longer limited to the basic movement of neuroprosthetics but cognitive functions like language and music.
Scotland's renewables ambition
Aiming to be 100 per cent renewable powered by 2020, Scotland hosts a major offshore wind conference and exhibition this week
Backup plan
A number of promising announcements this week suggest that grid technologies might finally be able to keep pace with the drive for renewable energy.
How to engineer a business, and space for vision
Advice for engineers on how to become entrepreneurs and an in-depth look at how space science is contributing to medical imaging head the list of this week’s events.
Leading the charge
Hopes are on the private sector to fund the roll-out of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the UK. But it may take more than commercial opportunities to be successful.
A week of transport icons
Transport dominates this week’s Briefing, with a lecture on the return of a London icon and a conference addressing barriers that stand in the way of electric vehicles.
Is shale gas all it's 'fracked' up to be?
Cuadrilla is looking to the home counties for shale gas reserves fit for ‘fracking’. But is this energy resource all it’s ‘fracked’ up to be?
Technology takes to the farm
A futuristic farming project in Japan could set out the model for transforming the countryside to meet our growing needs.
Could you be the secret engineer?
We’re looking for a mystery blogger to write a monthly column for The Engineer magazine. Could it be you?
The Engineer's Top 10 Technologies of 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.
Ghosts of Christmas Presents
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.
Fundamental fusion
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.
Taking telematics on the road to improve automotive safety
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.
It came from the skies
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?
