The Engineer
November 2011 Online
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Shaw receives RFCC contract from Star Petroleum Refining
6 Feb 2012
The Shaw Group has been awarded a contract to provide the technology licence and process design package for the revamp of a residue fluid catalytic cracking unit for Star Petroleum Refining Company in Map Ta Phut, Thailand.
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Robot-human interaction on display at Science Museum
1 Dec 2011
The Science Museum is showcasing the work of researchers hoping to improve how humans and machines interact, as part of European Robotics Week.
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Team creates carbon nanotube circuits with inkjet printing
1 Dec 2011
Inkjet printing has been used to fabricate the first circuits composed of fully printed carbon-nanotube-based electronics for use with OLED displays.
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Chemical company Scott Bader opens innovation centre
1 Dec 2011
The Scott Bader Innovation Centre, established by chemical company Scott Bader on its headquarters site at Wollaston, Northamptonshire, has officially opened.It is designed to support the growth of around 20 early stage businesses and professional laboratory space is available for companies operating in the chemicals, composites, materials and advanced engineering sectors.
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Quest Global Engineering acquires GKN Aerospace
1 Dec 2011
Quest Global Engineering has acquired GKN Aerospace Engineering Services and entered into a long-term agreement to provide the engineering skills and resources to support GKN Aerospace’s long-term growth strategy.
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Hawaiian Airlines orders Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines
1 Dec 2011
Power systems provider Rolls-Royce has won a $350m (£223.9m) contract from Hawaiian Airlines to deliver Trent 700 engines to power five Airbus A330 aircraft.The aircraft, to be delivered from 2013 to 2015, will add to the airline’s current fleet of five Trent 700-powered A330s and another 12 to be delivered.
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Elite swimming and the bodysuit question
1 Dec 2011
Does technology in sport work? Is technology fair? And what happens if you ban it? Prof Steve Haake takes a look at the polyurethane swimming bodysuit, which led to a spate of world records until it was banned in competiton
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Studsvik wins contract to perform materials testing
30 Nov 2011
Studsvik has signed a contract with EDF Energy Nuclear Generation to carry out materials testing on irradiated fuel and fuel components.
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UK's largest pilot carbon-capture plant opens
30 Nov 2011
The UK’s largest carbon-capture pilot plant has opened at Ferrybridge power station in West Yorkshire.
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AAF invests £1m in research and development centre
30 Nov 2011
AAF Power and Industrial, a provider of products for air filtration, inlet cooling and noise control, has invested more than £1m in a new research and development centre — a move it claims is likely to create new jobs and products at its site in Cramlington, Northumberland.
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Honda Aircraft contracts GKN to supply fuselage for jet
30 Nov 2011
Components manufacturer GKN Aerospace has won a production contract with Honda Aircraft as supplier of the composite fuselage for the HondaJet advanced light business jet.
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Anderson Precision Gearing to help maintain Piccadilly Line
30 Nov 2011
Anderson Precision Gearing, part of the Pailton Engineering Group based in Coventry, has been awarded a manufacturing contract for suspension tubes that will help extend the life of the Piccadilly Line fleet ofmotorised underground rail cars.
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ENER-G wins energy services contract from NJ college
30 Nov 2011
Saint Peter’s College in New Jersey, US, has appointed ENER-G to deliver an energy services contract for its West Campus in Jersey City.
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Petrobras awards Rolls-Royce gas-turbine power contracts
30 Nov 2011
Power systems provider Rolls-Royce has been awarded new contracts with a potential value of $650m (£417.7m) by Petrobras to support its production activities offshore Brazil.
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Rolls-Royce builds new Marine Service Centre in Hong Kong
30 Nov 2011
Power systems provider Rolls-Royce has expanded its presence in Greater China with the development of a new Marine Service Centre on Hong Kong’s Tsing Yi Island.
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Natural silks beat plastics when it comes to generating fibres
30 Nov 2011
Scientists have demonstrated for the first time that natural silks are 1,000 times more efficient than common plastics when it comes to forming fibres.
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Scientists use inkjet to print scaffolds for growing bones
30 Nov 2011
Washington State University (WSU) researchers have used a 3D printer to create a bone-like material.
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Fund will help road freighters in UK to buy green vehicles
30 Nov 2011
The UK’s road-freight industry is being encouraged to buy and use low-emission medium- and heavy-goods vehicles with the help of capital funding worth £8m.
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East Anglian coast recognised as renewable-engineering hub
30 Nov 2011
Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft have been named as a national Centre for Offshore Renewable Engineering.
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Government invests £200m in science and engineering
29 Nov 2011
The chancellor has unveiled £200m of investment in science and engineering, alongside a £5bn infrastructure plan, in today’s Autumn Statement.
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Government set to provide funding for British satellites
29 Nov 2011
A British-built satellite constellation is set to receive £21m in funding from the government.
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Altran Praxis wins contract for MoD Spearfish torpedo project
29 Nov 2011
British software provider Altran Praxis has been awarded a contract by BAE Systems Mission Systems to design and build the Safety Electronic Unit for the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Spearfish torpedo upgrade programme.
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Qinetiq set to design training software for the Royal Navy
29 Nov 2011
British defence technology company Qinetiq is to design and deliver a new training environment for close-range gunnery training for the Royal Navy.
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NJ Department of Veterans Affairs selects Proquis software
29 Nov 2011
The Department of Veterans Affairs based at the Technology Acquisition Center in New Jersey has contracted software provider Proquis to supply, install, configure and implement its electronic document control and quality management system, Proquis Enterprise.
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GM investigates Chevrolet Volt battery packs following fires
29 Nov 2011
GM has assigned a team to investigate Chevrolet Volt battery packs following a series of fires.
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PaxOcean orders Rolls-Royce oil platform supply vessels
29 Nov 2011
Power systems company Rolls-Royce has received an order from Singapore-based offshore company, PaxOcean, to design and equip two oil-platform supply vessels.
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Honda UK to resume normal production on 19 December
29 Nov 2011
Following an improvement to the supply situation in Thailand, Honda’s UK manufacturing facility in Swindon will resume normal production on 19 December 2011.
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TSB offers fund for developing power distribution systems
29 Nov 2011
A fund worth £2.4m is being made available for feasibility studies into automated power distribution and demand management systems.
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PJD announces increased turnover and staff in 2011
28 Nov 2011
UK mechanical engineering contractor PJD Group has this year experienced a turnover increase, an improvement in project security and a staff expansion of almost 70 per cent.Sustained growth throughout the UK has enabled the business, which provides mechanical and construction services to the energy and industrial sectors, to open two new regional offices, one in Chatham, Kent and one in Warrington, both due to open over the next quarter.
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Doughty Hanson acquires oil and gas logistics firm ASCO
28 Nov 2011
Independent private equity firm Doughty Hanson & Co is to acquire ASCO, a provider of outsourced logistics services and solutions to the oil and gas industry, from Phoenix Equity Partners.
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Insects could one day monitor areas too dangerous for people
28 Nov 2011
Insects loaded with cameras, microphones and other sensors and communications equipment could soon be sent into environments too hazardous for humans.
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SSEPD wins Ofgem funding for low-carbon network projects
28 Nov 2011
Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution has received approval and funding from Ofgem for its £64m low-carbon network projects in the Thames Valley and Shetland.
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Atkins wins contract to work on infrastructure of Qatar's capital
28 Nov 2011
Ashghal, the public works authority of Qatar, has awarded Atkins a five-year contract worth more than £65m to help with the transformation of the roads and drainage systems in Qatar’s capital city Doha.
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Doosan boosts portfolio with acquisition of AE&E Lentjes
28 Nov 2011
Green technology provider Doosan Power Systems has acquired the majority stake in AE&E Lentjes, formerly part of the AE&E Group.
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Mazda creates capacitor-based regenerative braking system
28 Nov 2011
Mazda has developed what is claimed to be the world’s first capacitor-based regenerative braking system.
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Renewable energy industry welcomes UK heat scheme
28 Nov 2011
The renewable energy industry has welcomed the government’s scheme to subsidise renewable heat production, which opens today.
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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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Electrode could lead to large-capacity rechargeable battery
28 Nov 2011
Researchers claim their latest technology could be used to develop an efficient rechargeable battery to store large quantities of excess power from renewables.
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UK graduates must upskill to compete globally, says report
25 Nov 2011
A new report has highlighted the skills graduates need to compete on an international stage and warned that UK graduates aren’t looking beyond the border.
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Survey finds that opposition to nuclear power has grown
25 Nov 2011
Public opposition to nuclear power has grown since 2005, according to a survey of 23,231 adults in 23 countries.
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Toyota set to create jobs at Derbyshire car plant
25 Nov 2011
Up to 1,500 jobs are to be created at Toyota’s Burnaston plant following a decision to build new generation C-segment family sized hatchback models at the plant.
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Back to the future with the strangest flying machine
25 Nov 2011
Stuart Nathan confesses his love for the retro-futurist ekranoplan, and looks forward to its possible return at the hands of an aerospace pioneer.
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Abrasive water-jet model could enable lower-cost milling
25 Nov 2011
New research could enable lower-cost milling on difficult materials using adapted water-jet cutting machines.
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Nexans wins contracts with Italy's railway network
25 Nov 2011
Cable manufacturer Nexans has been awarded three contracts, worth a total of around €10m (£8.6m), to supply specialised signalling and telecom cables to Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), the state-owned operator of Italy’s railway network.
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Statoil awards Aker subsea contract for Vilje South project
25 Nov 2011
Norwegian engineering services provider Aker Solutions has been awarded a contract by oil and gas company Statoil for the engineering, procurement and construction of a subsea production system for the Vilje South project on the Norwegian continental shelf.
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Dyson provides funding for engineering research
24 Nov 2011
Dyson is providing £1.4m in funding for a Cambridge University professorship to support engineering and scientific research.
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Electronic microprocessors find their way into prosthetics
24 Nov 2011
A team of engineers have started developing a range of microprocessor-controlled prosthetics.
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Research suggests filter device can ease asthma symptoms
24 Nov 2011
A device that filters out airborne asthma triggers during sleep can ease persistent symptoms of the condition during the day.
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Researchers see photonic chips being created from silicon
24 Nov 2011
MIT researchers believe photonic chips could be created using the standard silicon material that forms the basis for most of today’s electronics.
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Report calls for major re-think of UK's national infrastructure
23 Nov 2011
A major re-think on how infrastructure is planned, built and used is required as part of the national strategy to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
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Arrowsmith targets new orders for precision components
23 Nov 2011
A Coventry-based manufacturer is looking for £4m sales within three years through the supply of precision components for the aerospace industry, Formula One and the energy sector.
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Intricate 3D silicon crystals act as semiconductors for light
23 Nov 2011
Dutch researchers have found a way to make large silicon crystals with a true three-dimensional internal architecture.
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Don't let nuclear go into the sunset
23 Nov 2011
The House of Lords warned this week that complacency is threatening nuclear R&D in the UK. It’s a depressingly familiar story and mustn’t be allowed to continue.
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Designing in a disaster zone
23 Nov 2011
Back-of-envelope, jury-rigged engineering is sometimes the best, and indeed only, option when you’re in the middle of a major humanitarian crisis. What’s important is to keep the needs of the people in mind and make sure solutions are appropriate, says Paul Jawor
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Scientists develop anchorless selective laser melting process
23 Nov 2011
Scientists at Sheffield University aim to eliminate the need for ‘anchors’ used in additive manufacturing.
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Device detects explosives on the shoes of airline passengers
23 Nov 2011
A prototype air sampling system has been developed to detect trace amounts of explosives on the shoes of airline passengers.
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Wärtsilä agrees on cash offer for acquisition of Hamworthy
22 Nov 2011
Marine power systems provider Wärtsilä has reached an agreement with Hamworthy, a UK-listed engineering company focussed on the marine and oil and gas sectors, in regards to a recommended cash offer for the acquisition of Hamworthy.
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Rippled coating could improve fuel efficiency on aircraft
22 Nov 2011
A coating method for introducing strategic ripples onto the surfaces of aircraft and ships could help improve fuel efficiency.
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Robot rescue
22 Nov 2011
New technology for controlling hundreds of tiny robots could pave the way for autonomous swarms that search for survivors in collapsed buildings.
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Test facility evaluates heating and cooling in buildings
22 Nov 2011
A test facility has been built in Australia to evaluate the electrical, cooling and heating performance of buildings.
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Scientists use silver nanowires to make LCD screen electrodes
22 Nov 2011
A new method for making transparent electrodes in LCD screens could replace more expensive indium tin oxide ones (ITO).
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Silicon surface mimics butterfly wing structure to repel water
22 Nov 2011
An international team of researchers has replicated the water-repelling properties of a butterfly’s wings.
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BAE Systems signs with Daden for 3D visual analytics
21 Nov 2011
BAE Systems has signed an agreement with Birmingham-based Daden to accelerate the development of a versatile 3D immersive visual analytics application that can be used for the collaborative analysis and understanding of a wide variety of data.
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Biotrack secures production licence for bird-tracking device
21 Nov 2011
The rights to produce and market innovative bird-tracking devices developed by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has been granted to UK company Biotrack as part of a technology-transfer agreement.
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Atkins attributes good results to its international outlook
21 Nov 2011
Atkins has attributed its solid set of half-year results, announced last week, to its international outlook.
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Sevcon set to supply drivetrain controllers for UTVs and ATVs
21 Nov 2011
Sevcon has won a contract to supply drivetrain control technology for a range of utility and all-terrain vehicles being manufactured in China.
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BP sells its interests in the Mica and Pompano oil fields
21 Nov 2011
Oil and gas company BP has agreed to sell its interests in the Pompano and Mica fields in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico to Stone Energy Offshore, a subsidiary of Stone Energy.
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Engineers help NASA discover if Mars once supported life
21 Nov 2011
European engineers are helping NASA prepare for the first of two missions to discover whether Mars could have once supported life.
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Arkema acquires Chinese chemical firms Hipro and Casda
21 Nov 2011
French chemicals producer Arkema is to acquire Chinese companies Hipro Polymers, a producer of bio-sourced polyamide 10.10, and Casda Biomaterials, which focuses on sebacic acid that is derived from castor oil and used to manufacture polyamide 10.10.
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Fluor to deliver FEED studies for CompactGTL projects
21 Nov 2011
Gas company CompactGTL (CGTL) has entered into an agreement with the UK operating division of US engineering services provider Fluor.
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Team claims material can emit light in near-infrared range
21 Nov 2011
Scientists claim they have developed a material that can emit light in the near-infrared range.
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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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US scientists stake a claim for the world's lightest material
21 Nov 2011
US scientists have developed what is claimed to be the world’s lightest material.
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EIC wins contract with UK's largest Sikh temple
18 Nov 2011
Building services provider EIC has been chosen to provide mechanical services to the UK’s largest Sikh temple, as it builds a £7.5m community annexe.
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Robot helps to develop and examine new types of glass
18 Nov 2011
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute have created a robot that develops new types of glass and examines their characteristics.
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Queen Elizabeth prize: possible pitfalls, possible glory
18 Nov 2011
The new Queen Elizabeth Prize could bring some much-deserved recognition to Britain’s engineers and counter media misconceptions
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Rio Tinto Alcan reveals plan to close Northumberland smelter
17 Nov 2011
Rio Tinto Alcan has announced plans to close its Lynemouth aluminium smelter.
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Network Rail finalises purchase of Hydrex's rail division
17 Nov 2011
Network Rail has completed its purchase of the assets of the rail division of Hydrex Equipment (UK) from its administrators, KPMG.
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Delphi Automotive expands factory capacity in Morocco
17 Nov 2011
Vehicle components supplier Delphi Automotive is substantially increasing its capacity in Tangier, Morocco, where it manufactures advanced wiring systems for vehicle manufacturers throughout Europe.
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Dana Petroleum awards Aker subsea control contract
17 Nov 2011
The Aberdeen facility of Aker Solutions, a Norwegian engineering services company, is to manufacture and deliver a number of subsea control modules and topside power units as part of an £8m contract with Dana Petroleum.
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Researchers claim crystal could be technology enhancing
17 Nov 2011
Arizona State University (ASU) researchers say they have created a crystal material that can enhance a range of technologies.
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Government launches prize to inspire young engineers
17 Nov 2011
An international engineering award has been launched today to celebrate the individuals whose work inspires and advances society.
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HMS Astute fires Tomahawk missiles across Gulf of Mexico
17 Nov 2011
HMS Astute has fired Tomahawk missiles across the Gulf of Mexico as part of its first test-firing mission.
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Volaris signs MoU to order 44 Airbus A320 aircraft
16 Nov 2011
Mexican budget airline Volaris has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 44 eco-efficient Airbus A320 aircraft, comprising 30 A320neo and 14 A320 aircraft.This order makes Volaris, which will announce engine selection at a later date, the first airline to order the A320neo in Mexico.
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Trifast agrees to acquire Power Steel's issued share capital
16 Nov 2011
Trifast, a manufacturer and distributor of industrial fastenings, has conditionally agreed terms to acquire the entire issued share capital of Power Steel and Electro-plating Works.The private Malaysian company manufactures and distributes industrial fastenings and will be acquired for a maximum aggregate consideration of approximately £15m.
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UAE appoints Atkins as nuclear energy programme adviser
16 Nov 2011
Engineering and design consultancy Atkins has been appointed to act as lender’s technical adviser for the United Arab Emirates’ peaceful nuclear energy programme.
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Hampson Industries announces six-month interim results
16 Nov 2011
Hampson Industries has announced interim results for the six-month period ended 30 September 2011.
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Airbus receives a total of 211 orders at Dubai Air Show
16 Nov 2011
Airbus won a total of 211 orders and commitments at the Dubai Air Show worth $20.5bn (£12.9bn).
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BAE Systems wins contract for naval information services
16 Nov 2011
BAE Systems has won a five-year contract to provide information services necessary for the successful operation of the entire surface fleet of the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary in Portsmouth.
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Zouk Capital announces cleantech investments
16 Nov 2011
Zouk Capital has announced three cleantech investments totalling more than €40m (£34m) from its latest fund, Cleantech Europe II.
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Cleantech materials company reports rising revenues
16 Nov 2011
Ilika, an advanced cleantech materials discovery company, has announced a trading update for the six months ended 31 October 2011.
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Campaign aims to highlight the best of UK manufacturing
16 Nov 2011
Thirty major UK-based companies are backing a government campaign to highlight the best of British manufacturing at an exhibition during the Olympic Games.
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Researchers create chip that mimics human brain synapse
16 Nov 2011
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) researchers have designed a computer chip that mimics how the human brain works.
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University starts construction of bioenergy research centre
16 Nov 2011
Building work has started on a £16.5m bioenergy research centre designed to showcase and develop renewable low-carbon technologies.
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Researchers assess additive manufacturing for JSF parts
16 Nov 2011
Australian researchers are assessing the feasibility of using additive manufacturing to produce small titanium components for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).
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Composite performance boosts Bloodhound build
16 Nov 2011
With Bloodhound SSC now well into its build phase, the chassis is starting to come together, and some vital mechanical components are ready for assembly, says chief engineer Mark Chapman
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Company has funds available for sustainable mobility
16 Nov 2011
An investment company dedicated to sustainable mobility has announced €30m in funds to develop young companies.
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Qatar Airways selects A320 neo for short- to medium-haul fleet
16 Nov 2011
Qatar Airways has selected the A320 neo as the reference aircraft for expanding its short- to medium-haul fleet and has increased its order for the A380.
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SeaEnergy secures funds for offshore wind farm support
16 Nov 2011
SeaEnergy has secured further funding support totalling £88,510 to advance its plans to establish an offshore wind farm support business.
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Doosan Engine signs extension to Wärtsilä licensing agreement
15 Nov 2011
Marine engines supplier Wärtsilä and its Korean partner Doosan Engine have signed a 10-year extension to Doosan’s licensing agreement to build Wärtsilä low-speed engines.
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Foster Wheeler signs EPCm agreement with Qatargas
15 Nov 2011
A subsidiary of Foster Wheeler’s Global Engineering and Construction (E&C) group and the subsidiary’s joint venture partner, Qatar Kentz, have signed an engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCm) framework agreement with Qatargas.
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Comlux signs first commitment for Airbus ACJ321
15 Nov 2011
Corporate charter airline Comlux has signed a commitment for an Airbus ACJ321 — the first ever placed with Airbus for this model.According to Airbus, the ACJ321 features the widest and tallest cabin of any business jet, as well as more floorspace and baggage capacity than today’s ACJ318, ACJ319 and ACJ320.
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Garuda Indonesia Airlines orders Rolls-Royce engines
15 Nov 2011
Power systems company Rolls-Royce has won a $280m (£175m) order, at list prices, from Garuda Indonesia Airlines for Trent 700 engines to power four Airbus A330 aircraft.In addition, the airline confirmed a previous order for Trent 700 engines to power six A330s, which was announced last year.
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Spirit Airlines and Airbus sign deal for 75 single-aisle aircraft
15 Nov 2011
Spirit Airlines and Airbus have signed a memorandum of understanding for Spirit to acquire 75 single-aisle aircraft, comprising 45 A320 neo aircraft and 30 A320s.
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Industry takes awareness campaign into schools
15 Nov 2011
The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board has launched its own awareness campaign in a bid to attract young people into engineering.
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C&W and Silver Spring sign for energy sustainability project
15 Nov 2011
Cable & Wireless Worldwide and Silver Spring Networks have signed an agreement to participate in the Eco-Island Partnership, the largest energy sustainability project in the UK.
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Trial for wireless charging of electric cars set for London
15 Nov 2011
The UK’s first electric vehicle wireless charging trial is to start in London next year.
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Aviation Capital Group makes order for Airbus A320 neos
15 Nov 2011
Aviation Capital Group (ACG), a US-based global aircraft leasing company, has signed a purchase agreement with Airbus for 30 A320 neo aircraft at the 2011 Dubai Airshow.
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Technology could increase lithium-ion batteries' charge
15 Nov 2011
Northwestern University engineers claim they have developed technology that could improve rechargeable batteries.
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E.ON reveals further details about Sheffield biomass plant
15 Nov 2011
E.ON has unveiled further details of the biomass-fired energy plant it plans to build near Sheffield.
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ALAFCO finalises purchase order for 50 A320neo aircraft
14 Nov 2011
ALAFCO, the Kuwait-based international Aviation Lease and Finance company, has finalised a purchase order for 50 A320neo aircraft and took options for 30 more to be finalised by year end.The firm contract, signed at the 2011 Dubai Airshow, is an increase of the initial agreement made at the Paris Le Bourget Airshow for 30 A320neo aircraft which are now confirmed.
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Saudi Arabian Airlines orders Rolls-Royce Trent engines
14 Nov 2011
Power systems company Rolls-Royce has won an order from Saudi Arabian Airlines, worth up to $500m (£311m), to provide engines and TotalCare support for four Airbus A330 aircraft already announced and four options.
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Middle East 'may need more than 2,500 aircraft by 2030'
14 Nov 2011
Boeing forecasts that airlines in the Middle East will need an estimated 2,520 aircraft — worth $450bn — by 2030.
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App could save the lives of burns victims in combat
14 Nov 2011
The severity of burns injuries may be reduced with an iPhone app developed by a former serviceman.
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Report highlights high road-pollution death rate in UK
14 Nov 2011
The UK government has today been accused of putting people’s lives at risk by not prioritising action to cut pollution on UK roads.
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Emirates makes record order for Boeing 777-300ER aircraft
14 Nov 2011
A new contract with Emirates for 50 777-300ER aircraft is set to land Boeing $18bn, rising to $26bn if options are exercised.
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Clogging weed inspires waterproof coating for boats
14 Nov 2011
A floating weed that clogs waterways around the world has led to the development of a high-tech waterproof coating intended for boats and submarines.
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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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Oman Air orders Rolls-Royce engines for Boeing aircraft
14 Nov 2011
Power systems provider Rolls-Royce has won an order from Oman Air for engines to power six Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
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Modern Water purchases toxicity testing assets of SDIX
14 Nov 2011
Modern Water, a provider of water technologies for the production of fresh water and monitoring of water quality, has entered into an agreement with Strategic Diagnostics (SDIX) to purchase the assets of its water quality division, including its Microtox toxicity testing technology, for $4.5m (£2.8m).
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Report urges action to prevent rare earth metal shortages
14 Nov 2011
A new report claims that a potential shortage of rare earth metals could hinder the deployment of low-carbon technologies.
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Scottish renewable energy secures additional funding
11 Nov 2011
Around £100m of additional funding for Scottish renewable energy, including marine renewables, has been announced.
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Government scheme will offer £95m in funding to UK SMEs
11 Nov 2011
Funding worth £95m is to be made available to Britain’s SMEs via a government scheme run by RBS, NatWest and HSBC.
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Jaguar Land Rover set to recruit staff at Solihull plant
11 Nov 2011
Jaguar Land Rover is to recruit more than 1,000 staff at its advanced manufacturing plant in Solihull.
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Blood-testing device could check health of astronauts
11 Nov 2011
Astronauts on the International Space Station may soon have a blood-testing device to rapidly check for conditions including diabetes and heart disease.
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Report points to robotics as a major driver of job creation
11 Nov 2011
A report published in Japan suggests robotics will be a major driver for global job creation over the next five years.
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Should Earth's close encounter trigger asteroid avoidance research?
11 Nov 2011
After yet another narrow encounter with an asteroid the size of an airship earlier this week, do we need to pay more attention to technology that could protect our planet and its inhabitants from these turbo-charged cosmic fireworks?
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PNE Wind sells 'Nautilus II' rights to SSP Technology
10 Nov 2011
Wind-farm developer PNE Wind has sold all rights to the offshore wind farm project ‘Nautilus II’, which is currently in the planning and approval phase, to SSP Technology Holding.
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Siemens acquires engineering software developer Vistagy
10 Nov 2011
German engineering conglomerate Siemens has expanded its industrial software portfolio with the acquisition of Vistagy, based in Massachusetts, US, a supplier of specialised engineering software and services with an emphasis on designing and manufacturing structures made of advanced composite materials.Terms were not disclosed for the transaction, which is subject to customary approvals and expected to close before the end of 2011.
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European fund supports production of Nissan LEAF
10 Nov 2011
Nissan is to receive €220m in funding from the European Investment Bank to support production of the Nissan Leaf and electric vehicle batteries.
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ASIMO humanoid robot is free to make autonomous moves
10 Nov 2011
The latest incarnation of the ASIMO humanoid robot has been unveiled by Honda.
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US Navy awards General Dynamics submarine contract
9 Nov 2011
The US Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $21.1m contract to perform reactor-plant planning yard services for nuclear submarines and support yard services for moored training ships.
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Balfour Beatty wins contract for Beauly-Denny scheme
9 Nov 2011
Infrastructure group Balfour Beatty has been awarded a contract by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission, a subsidiary of SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy), to replace the electricity transmission line between Beauly and Wharry Burn, 20km north of Denny.
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SSE Generation receives consent for multi-fuel project
9 Nov 2011
SSE Generation, the wholly owned generation business of Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has received consent from the Department of Energy and Climate Change to develop an up to 108MW multi-fuel project within its existing Ferrybridge coal power station site.
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In light of the UK's continued slow economic growth, should the government replace the much-criticised Regional Growth Fund with a new strategy to support industry?
9 Nov 2011
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Time for a rethink on high-speed rail
9 Nov 2011
The latest government report into the UK’s second high-speed rail line project, HS2, is an important step towards a green light for the project. But taking a look at the report, it’s clear that there are a great many arguments which haven’t been settled.
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SSE, Shell agree to progress project for carbon capture
9 Nov 2011
SSE and Shell have signed an agreement to progress a proposed carbon capture and storage project at SSE’s gas-fired power station in Peterhead.
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Scientists demonstrate urine's viability as an energy source
9 Nov 2011
Scientists in Bristol have demonstrated the viability of using urine as an energy source for microbial fuel cells.
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Committee report says good case exists for high-speed rail
8 Nov 2011
A report issued today by the Commons Transport Committee says a good case exists for HS2 as long as caveats are met.
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Saft wins Thales Alenia Space contract to supply satellite batteries
8 Nov 2011
Saft has been awarded a multi-million Euro contract by Thales Alenia Space to supply 81 on-board Li-ion batteries for the Iridium Next low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation.
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Paul Fabrications extends Rolls-Royce components contract
8 Nov 2011
Paul Fabrications has signed a two-year extension to its contract for the supply of fabricated components to Rolls-Royce.
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UNCD thin films could improve the fabrication of biosensors
8 Nov 2011
A new breed of sensors may be borne out of research that has successfully fabricated ultra-nanocrystalline diamond thin films into nanowires.
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Statoil awards cable design and supply contract to Nexans
7 Nov 2011
Nexans has been awarded a €75m contract by Statoil to design, manufacture and supply a total of 165km of static and dynamic power umbilical and power cables.
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Kia Motors set to build third Chinese manufacturing plant
7 Nov 2011
Kia Motors has announced that it plans to build a third manufacturing plant in China, in order to meet dramatically increasing local demand and to maintain its positive sales momentum in the Chinese market.
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Scientists work on biological cell-equivalent of computer
7 Nov 2011
Scientists at Nottingham University are leading a research project to develop a biological cell-equivalent of a computer operating system.
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Researchers monitor brain aneurysms without X-rays
7 Nov 2011
A technology for monitoring brain aneurysms could remove the need for invasive treatments or exposure to X-rays.
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Bentley secures £3m grant from regional growth fund
7 Nov 2011
Bentley has received confirmation of a conditional grant allocation of £3m from the Department for Business Regional Growth Fund.
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Algorithm said to identify best natural-gas storage materials
7 Nov 2011
Northwestern University researchers claim they have developed an algorithm that can identify the best materials to store natural gas in.
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Awards season and D-Day for HS2
7 Nov 2011
It’s awards season. And as we hurtle towards the end of another testing year for the engineering sector, it’s reassuring that the UK’s manufacturing and technology firms still have plenty to shout about.
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Study finds biofuels produce as much carbon as fossil fuels
4 Nov 2011
Biofuels made from vegetable oils are as bad as fossil fuels when it comes to carbon emissions, a study says.
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Hybrid plant design could cut down power station emissions
4 Nov 2011
Israeli engineers are developing a concept hybrid power plant that combines renewable solar thermal energy with conventional fossil fuels.
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Can UK graduates compete with their Chinese counterparts?
4 Nov 2011
UK engineering graudates are doing well in the job market, which may come as a surprise to many. But lower-cost economies, particularly China, could still threaten job prospects.
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3D video microscope helps scientists study HIV
4 Nov 2011
A microscope system that captures 3D video of cells at very high resolution is helping scientists understand how AIDS and other diseases spread.
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British engineers aid attempt to save German bomber
4 Nov 2011
British engineers are helping to save a Second World War German bomber being retrieved from the English Channel.
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'Hyperspectral' camera can identify environmental hazards
3 Nov 2011
A new camera that can detect more than 1,000 colours could help identify contaminants and other environmental hazards, its creators say.
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Engineering for earthquakes
3 Nov 2011
The cost of ensuring that structures in earthquake zones are resistant to collapse is low, and the result could save thousands of lives and prevent damage to stricken nations’ economies. Engineers have a responsibility to show leadership and make structural safety an absolute priority, argues Kubilay Hicyilmaz.
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Zinc-oxide microwires improve the efficiency of UV LEDs
3 Nov 2011
US researchers have used zinc-oxide microwires to significantly improve the efficiency of ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (LED).
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Ricardo launches Hyboost efficient engine system
3 Nov 2011
The Engineer reports on Hyboost, a high-torque, supercharged but small engine developed by Ricardo, which could improve vehicle efficiency without sacrificing performance
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Hovering robot uses cameras to navigate through buildings
3 Nov 2011
A flying robot that can zoom to hard-to-reach places and a fleet of eco-friendly robotic farm-hands are under development by Australian researchers.
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Aluminium could aid storage and transportation of hydrogen
2 Nov 2011
Researchers in the US have discovered that aluminium could make it cheaper and easier to store and transport hydrogen.
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'Fracking' report is released as protesters halt work at drill site
2 Nov 2011
On-shore gas drilling in Lancashire was the ‘highly probable’ cause of earth tremors detected in the area, a study has found.
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Leicester University plans vibrometry research centre
1 Nov 2011
Leicester University is to establish a vibrometry research centre to support engineering and manufacturing in the automotive, aerospace and space sectors.
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Research suggests that social media could track flu outbreaks
1 Nov 2011
Social media could be used to track an event or phenomena such as flu outbreaks or rainfall rates, according to new research.
