The Engineer
Jason Ford Editorial
Jason Ford is news editor of The Engineer
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Wind farms, female engineers and Thameslink under the spotlight
6 Feb 2012
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.
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Scotland's renewables ambition
30 Jan 2012
Aiming to be 100 per cent renewable powered by 2020, Scotland hosts a major offshore wind conference and exhibition this week
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How to engineer a business, and space for vision
23 Jan 2012
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.
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A week of transport icons
16 Jan 2012
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.
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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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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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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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The 2011 Consumer Technology Winner - Fascinate
2 Dec 2011
An interactive video system is set to transform the way that audiences experience live television.
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Focus on the UK's energy mix
28 Nov 2011
This week sees several organisations host meetings about the parts that renewables and nuclear will play in the UK’s energy landscape in the coming decades.
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Engineless cars, driverless trains and Brits in space
21 Nov 2011
The effects of technology on transport are still causing controversy, while the IMechE honours the best of British manufacturing
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Tackling cable theft, and a nuclear update
14 Nov 2011
Tomorrow marks the introduction of a Bill to Parliament that aims to eradicate a crime that causes severe disruption to rail travellers and sometimes kills its perpetrators.
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Miniature devices could deliver drugs directly to tumours
10 Nov 2011
Miniaturised devices that can deliver drugs to tumours with no external intervention are being developed by scientists in the UK and US.
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Frack to the future?
31 Oct 2011
A conference this week will discuss the potentials and difficulties of shale gas extraction in the UK, but even the conference itself is proving controversial.
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Make like a tree, make the most of the UK, and make your pitch
24 Oct 2011
Events taking place this week incorporate a demonstration of an artificial tree that captures CO2 and entrepreneurs pitching for funds that will see their innovations flourish.
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Women engineers, energy and nuclear waste
17 Oct 2011
This week sees WISE acknowledge those encouraging girls into STEM subjects and careers whilst other events cover process safety, nuclear waste disposal, climate change and coastal erosion.
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Conference convenes in New York to discuss thorium energy
10 Oct 2011
Advocates of a non-uranium based reactor convene this week in New York to discuss thorium energy.
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All things green and renewable
3 Oct 2011
Events taking place this week will give attendees guidance on how to maximize their green energy strategies.
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Composites take to the air, and the road
26 Sep 2011
Bad news from the UK’s defence sector is tempered by Boeing’s first delivery of the all-new composites-laden 787 Dreamliner to All Nippon Airlines.
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Offshore challenges, engineering success and tapping into waste
19 Sep 2011
This weeks events look at the practicalities of offshore wind build, the potential of engineers to increase sporting success and the best ways to utilize waste for energy.
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New injection-moulding tool could help reduce scrappage
15 Sep 2011
A tool created at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) could help plastic injection-moulded parts manufacturers improve cycle times and reduce scrappage.
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Automotive showcase
12 Sep 2011
An academic will this week assess the impact of the rise of the electric vehicles at a time when the world’s automotive industry gathers in Germany for the Frankfurt Motor Show.
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Model aircraft technology used for hovering reconnaissance
8 Sep 2011
Technology used by remote-controlled aircraft enthusiasts is being employed in a new lightweight, hovering surveillance system designed at Middlesex University for UK troops.
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Low-carbon sector looks to skills of ex-armed forces
5 Sep 2011
Energy and employment dominate this week’s proceedings, with ex-service personnel being encouraged into the green vehicle industry and experts gathering in Geneva to discuss energy issues.
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Blood glucose monitor could benefit diabetic patients
31 Aug 2011
A new blood-glucose monitor being developed in Wales will send a text alert to emergency personnel when the wearer is in danger of hypoglycaemia attack.
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Electric cars and the energy gap
30 Aug 2011
This week’s Briefing kicks off in Germany with some good news about an all electric vehicle breaking a speed record.
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Beauty contest: Ferrari competition highlights greener technologies
15 August 2011
Design students have created future-friendly hypercars as Ferrari adds green technologies to its portfolio
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Steel, space and sandwiches
8 Aug 2011
Some good news this week comes from Teesside where Sahaviriya Steel Industries is expected to announce that it is hiring over 800 staff.
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Good day, sunshine
1 Aug 2011
From today solar energy projects with over 50kW of capacity will receive a revised lower rate of subsidy from the government’s Feed-In Tariff.
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High speed rail, biofuels, and a manned space-flight retrospective
25 Jul 2011
Transport dominates this week’s proceedings with HS2 taking shape, airlines testing biofuels and manned space flight being celebrated.
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Competition, carriers, and creativity
11 Jul 2011
This week marks the final call for entries in the The Engineer Technology & Innovation Awards whilst those wanting to boost exports are urged to attend a series of seminars.
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Space shuttles, airplanes and nuclear new build
4 Jul 2011
A mixed bag of events kicks off tomorrow in London when major players in the nuclear power industry gather to discuss Britain’s nuclear renaissance and the nation’s energy future.
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Banishing manufacturing stereotypes
13 Jun 2011
Assessing the impact of innovation, doing business with India and banishing outdated stereotypes of modern manufacturing form the backbone of this week’s Briefing.
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Rise to the challenges
6 Jun 2011
Inventors are urged to read on as Briefing outlines two calls for ideas that could see entrants’ innovations save lives or appear on national TV.
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Renewable optimism, emissions gloom
31 May 2011
Can Europe and North Africa be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050 and is the diesel engine relevant in this age of stringent emissions targets?
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Energy events put spotlight on transport and nuclear industry
23 May 2011
Energy dominates this week’s events, with hydrogen and fuel cells for transportation plus the aftermath of Fukushima high on the agenda.
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Planetary defence and universal exploration
9 May 2011
Day-to-day worries like global warming and geo-political instability will all be rendered mute were an asteroid to slam into Earth.
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On track, in orbit, and all at sea.
3 May 2011
From McLaren’s latest GT racer to the UK’s burgeoning space sector there’s plenty on the post bank holiday engineering agenda
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Trains, planes and down to earth designs
18 Apr 2011
From the challenges of Crossrail to ash cloud avoidance this week’s spotlight falls on the transport industry
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Robot could guide humans through areas of low visibility
8 Apr 2011
Sheffield Hallam University is taking part in a multi-disciplinary project that aims to develop a robot capable of guiding humans in areas of low visibility.
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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?
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Robotic octopus could carry out underwater operations
22 Mar 2011
Reading University researchers are taking part in a multi-disciplinary effort to develop a robotic octopus.
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Sky high and down to Earth
21 Mar 2011
Sub-orbital flights present an exciting new dimension for tourists and the UK’s space industry alike but in the here-and-now George Osborne is charged with rebalancing the economy.
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Talking about manufacturing
14 Mar 2011
Leading industry figures gather in Sheffield this week to discuss manufacturing’s contribution to the economy whilst a new report published today highlights opportunities from so-called ‘manu-services’.
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Water, water everywhere
7 Mar 2011
Britain’s biggest disaster exercise takes place this week that will look at how England and Wales would respond to catastrophic flooding scenarios.
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Building a better Britain?
28 Feb 2011
Manufacturing and the economy are top of this week’s agenda with stakeholders gathering in London to discuss rebuilding UK manufacturing.
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Green themes and laser beams
21 Feb 2011
Events taking place this week show that science fiction is slowly becoming science fact in weapons and robotics.
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Renewable grid connections, HS2, and the rise of the apprenticeship
7 Feb 2011
With wind filling the sails of Britain’s green energy revolution and the manufacturing sector performing well, Briefing looks at events that address grid connectivity and skills.
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Delivering on electric dreams
31 Jan 2011
Like them or not, electric vehicles are here to stay and new figures suggest they will be worth £7.2bn to the British motor industry by 2014
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Save the planet, make a packet?
24 Jan 2011
With payday a week away and The Engineer’s lottery syndicate failing to hit the jackpot, Briefing asks: is there money to be made in saving the planet?
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Big ticket projects key to raising profile of engineers
17 Jan 2011
From the Bloodhound world land speed record car to Crossrail and HS2, high profile engineering projects are the key to inspiring the next generation of engineers
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Astral bodies, fast trains and a legal reckoning
20 Dec 2010
Briefing starts its countdown to Christmas with a look at events in defence, rail and economics.
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Rail life story
13 Dec 2010
Having a hugely cynical opinion of politicians of every hue, Briefing is keeping an eye on the political manoeuvrings surrounding HS2.
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Innovation takes centre stage
6 Dec 2010
Innovation, which was celebrated at last week’s Engineer Technology and Innovation Awards, is key to our economic growth according to a new report from the CBI
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Smartalk Freeview Box
3 Dec 2010
A set-top box that vocalises commands from a remote control will offer blind and partially-sighted people more choice
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Cold comfort
29 Nov 2010
With temperatures predicted fall as low as minus 20 this week, Briefing is heartened to bring news of a slight thaw in manufacturers’ access to credit.
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Fox jets off to Delhi
22 Nov 2010
Liam Fox is in Delhi this week promoting the Typhoon multi-role combat aircraft in a bid to secure a £7bn contract with the Indian Air Force.
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The new age of the train
8 Nov 2010
Organisers of the High Speed Rail World Europe conference in Madrid this week see 2010 as the year of high speed rail.
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Back to ash
1 Nov 2010
This month sees the conclusion to a transatlantic trade dispute that strains any notion of a ‘special relationship’ between the US and the EU.
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Tunnel vision
25 Oct 2010
Is Britain still an attractive place to invest? Do Siemens’ trains breach Channel tunnel safety rules and will London come to a standstill when the latest strike hits the Underground network?
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Cuts day approaches
18 Oct 2010
Briefing has adopted the brace position in anticipation of the Strategic Defence Review and Comprehensive Spending Review.
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Rescue remedy
11 Oct 2010
The Monday Briefing is looking forward to Wednesday when the first of 33 trapped Chilean miners is likely to be brought to the surface.
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Political view
4 Oct 2010
The Monday Briefing would like to extend a very warm welcome to those of you who work in London and normally rely on London Underground to deliver you to work.
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London engineer develops curved escalator
29 Sep 2010
An engineer in London has developed and patented what is claimed to be the first major redesign of the escalator for 113 years.
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Tackling waste, and fighting disaster
27 Sep 2010
This week’s Briefing is drawn to events that discuss nuclear waste disposal, pollution from shipping and maintaining communications in a crisis.
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Here comes the sun
20 Sep 2010
This week’s Briefing feels as if it should be accompanied with the kind of voice-over normally associated with trailers for Hollywood disaster movies.
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Biofuel on rails
6 Sep 2010
Planes, trains and automobiles are the focus of this week’s Briefing, although not necessarily in that order.
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Beginning to see the light
23 Aug 2010
This week’s briefing has excellent news for those of you working in photonics, namely that your industry expected to be worth $243bn by 2021.
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History lessons
9 Aug 2010
Today marks the anniversary of two events whose after-effects will continue to reverberate around the world for many years to come.
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The Hayward Legacy
26 Jul 2010
MBA disaster management modules will surely have no finer case study than that of Tony Hayward’s handling of the massive oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico.
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Energy, aviation and water all demand innovation
12 Jul 2010
This week’s Briefing would like to start with a reminder that you have until Friday 30 July to enter The Engineer Technology & Innovation Awards.
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Research team to develop advanced wound dressing
8 Jul 2010
Researchers in south-west England are taking part in a project to develop a dressing that can detect and treat infection in wounds.
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Security detail
5 Jul 2010
This week’s briefing takes a look forward to the fifth anniversary of 7/7 bombings with a recap of anti-terror technologies that have emerged in its wake.
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Dyson deadline
28 Jun 2010
The plea for goal line technology grew louder yesterday but events taking place this week highlight how technology and innovation can make a real difference to all our lives.
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Optical radar could bring sight to the blind
9 Jun 2010
Israeli students have developed an optical radar system that helps blind people manoeuvre around obstacles.
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Smelly cycle helmet could save lives
9 Jun 2010
Capsules of odiferous oil embedded into plastics could alert users to structural damage
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Ash detector trials could help ease flight restrictions
7 Jun 2010
Easyjet is to trial a volcanic ash detector on one of it Airbus aircraft, with tourists and stakeholders hoping it is deployed quickly to put an end to flight restrictions.
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BP prepared to meet spill costs
4 Jun 2010
BP group chief executive Tony Hayward has told shareholders that the company is in a sound position to meet costs incurred by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
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Take this tablet: Enter the iPad
28 May 2010
So it’s finally here. The much anticipated launch of the Apple iPad in the UK and the rest of the world has been met with eager consumers queuing overnight to be the first in line to purchase the latest must-have gadget.
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Spotlight on defence and Dyson
26 Apr 2010
The Monday Briefing is pleased to reveal some good news from Dyson, the company that proves that style and substance can coexist.
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The election trail
12 Apr 2010
The General Election steps up a gear this week with Labour launching its manifesto on the day Parliament is dissolved ahead of the main event on 6 May.
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CubeSail de-orbiting system
6 Apr 2010
Engineers at Surrey Space Centre are developing a platform to demonstrate the viability of using drag on a sail to de-orbit small satellites and other space debris.
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Green shoots
29 Mar 2010
The Green Revolution is upon us with some valuing the global environmental marketplace at over £3.2tn. The government could, of course, be doing much more to reap the benefits.
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Generation gap for emissions targets?
19 Mar 2010
The Royal Academy of Engineering warned this week that the UK might not have the skills base to cope with increasing energy demands and meeting greenhouse-gas emissions targets. Step in the National Skills Academies, which aims to train 300,000 people in four years.
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High fliers, high flying and fast driving
15 Mar 2010
A mixed bag of events this week might have some readers of The Engineer wondering if they are suffering from déjà vu.
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Making virtual cash OAP friendly
12 Mar 2010
The information-rich world we inhabit can be liberating and beguiling in equal measure. If you think you have problems getting to grips with your iPhone, just think of what it must be like to be elderly and living in this digital age.
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Perception filter
8 Mar 2010
Ask a child to define ‘engineer’ and you’ll likely be told that an engineer is everything from the man who fixes the boiler to a bearded eccentric gesticulating wildly in a laboratory.
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Nuclear industry needs wider acceptance
1 Mar 2010
You’d be forgiven for thinking The Engineer’s online editorial is somewhat geared toward the greener, renewable end of the energy market and to some extent you’d be right.
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Smart grids under scrutiny
22 Feb 2010
Legislation regarding CO2 emissions and the commensurate shift toward installing renewable sources of energy has presented our utilities engineers with a unique set of technical challenges.
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Spaceplanes, trains and automobiles
8 Feb 2010
This week sees the publication of an independent review into the travel chaos that saw around 75,000 rail passengers stranded when five Eurostar trains broke down inside the Channel Tunnel in December.
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Engineering a victory
29 Jan 2010
Rugby fans will be keenly anticipating the moment when, on Saturday February 6, England begin their Six Nations Rugby campaign at Twickenham against Wales.
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Protected species
26 Jan 2010
On January 10 The Engineer ran an online poll that asked ‘Would legal protection for the job title “engineer” help improve the status of the profession?’. Over 700 of you voted, with 82.9 per cent saying it would.
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Transport trepidation
22 Jan 2010
The long march toward a low carbon future has this week taken another twist with airports at the centre of a government-funded study.
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Electric avenue to a low carbon future
11 Jan 2010
The North American International Auto Show opens its doors to the press today, and electric vehicles are likely to dominate the resulting coverage
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Good use of space?
11 Dec 2009
Here’s a quick Friday lunchtime brainteaser for you. What UK industry has grown by nine per cent a year since 2000, contributes £6.5bn a year to the economy and supports 68,000 jobs?
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A smart move to reduce emissions
7 December 2009
GE Energy has opened what is claimed to be Europe’s first smart-grid centre at the company’s Bracknell headquarters.
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Solar flight earns its wings
4 Dec 2009
This week’s Futurescope literally takes off from the Dübendorf Airfield in Switzerland where the first solar powered aircraft designed to fly night and day without fuel achieved its first ‘flea hop’.
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A drive for efficiency
9 November 2009
Gordon Murray Design and Zytek Automotive Technology have embarked on a 16-month project to develop what they claim will be the world’s most efficient electric passenger car.
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SWIFT fuel savings
9 Feb 2009
Engineers in Britain are taking part in SWIFT, a project to develop technologies that will allow sustained growth in air travel without additional impact of CO2 on the environment.
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Battling the superbugs
11 Dec 2008
AG Technologies has discovered a way to bind high-grade silver to fabric, a breakthrough claimed to be 99.99 per cent effective in preventing the spread of infection caused by MRSA.
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Damage control
14 Jul 2008
A team of UK researchers has been awarded a £1.2m research grant to develop and integrate crack-arresting and self-healing capabilities into composite structures.Engineers from Bristol University and Imperial College London will collaborate on the ambitious CRASHCOMPS (crack arrest and self-healing in composite structures) project to explore approaches to controlling and ’curing’ compression ...
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Matters of the heart
30 Jun 2008
Engineers in Northern Ireland have developed a device that could fill a niche in the market for medical equipment that measures the heart and other vital signs.
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Horse sense
10 Mar 2008
Engineers from Cambridge Design Partnership spin-off GMax are developing a performance-measuring sensor system for horses that could bring success to equestrians the world over.The system will be built into a sleeve that slides over a horse’s girth, providing real-time information about essential physical, physiological, and environmental information that is then transmitted wirelessly to a PDA, laptop or to the internet via ...
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Border patrol
26 Nov 2007
Qinetiq has teamed up with Sensoptics to develop and distribute technology designed to provide greatly enhanced levels of security around perimeter fences and along borders and oil and gas pipelines.OptaSense is a platform that is attached to one end of a single-mode fibre-optic cable (which carries a single lightwave with a large bandwidth) turning the cable into an array of acoustic sensors
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Desk, room or wall?
20 May 2002
Immersive visualisation technologies have been around for some time, serving the design needs of the larger corporations. But which one suits you?
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Feel the force of a fundamental element
2 Feb 2001
Water forced through a small aperture at extremely high pressure can be highly formidable.
