The Engineer
Stuart Nathan Editorial

Stuart Nathan is Features Editor of The Engineer

  • Private enterprise in space

    23 May 2012

    The first launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule to the ISS is a significant achievement, but is it really such a bold new chapter in space exploration as we’re being told?

  • Holding fast

    14 May 2012

    UK fastener manufacturers are developing innovative, specialised products for the aerospace sector.

  • Averting a deep-sea disaster

    13 May 2012

    Oil and gas engineers are developing automated blowout preventers that could help avoid a repeat of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster

  • Teach the children well

    9 May 2012

    Does engineering still have an image problem? And if so, what’s the best way to tackle it?

  • Dream machines: metalworking at McLaren

    30 Apr 2012

    McLaren Racing’s partnership with Yamazaki Mazak is helping the team to bring more of its manufacturing in-house, improving its control over design and production of complex components

  • Asteroid mining: disaster movie, or the shape of things to come?

    25 Apr 2012

    The billionaire-backed venture Planetary Resources, which is planning to mine precious metals on asteroids, seems so fanciful that it could be a science fiction film plot. But it could be another example of private enterprise boldly going where public funding can’t

  • Steel relighting is a welcome beacon of good news

    18 Apr 2012

    The scale of the achievement in bringing the blast furnace of Redcar’s steelworks back to life is well worth celebrating. Were reports of the decline of British steelmaking premature?

  • Communication will allay resistance to smart grids

    11 Apr 2012

    Developing and introducing the technology to change the way electricity is generated and distributed is quite a challenge for engineers - but addressing the public’s concerns and explaining the technology might be even trickier

  • Carbon capture is only a part of an energy landscape

    4 Apr 2012

    The government’s latest competition to develop technologies for carbon capture and storage is wider in scope than its predecessor, but still isn’t sufficient on its own to ensure that CCS is a viable technology

  • What Lies Beneath: Excavating Crossrail's tunnels

    2 Apr 2012

    Europe’s largest civil engineering project, the London-spanning Crossrail line, is entering a major new phase with the beginning of tunnel excavation. Stuart Nathan reports on the progress of the project

  • Intelligent sensors for smart cities

    2 Apr 2012

    Fitting the bill: remote sensing products are helping to gather the vast amount of data needed for smart infrastructure systems.

  • Express delivery: inside the Bloodhound supply chain

    2 Apr 2012

    Engineers and suppliers are uniting in the effort to make Bloodhound a reality.

  • Making space for an innovation hothouse

    21 Mar 2012

    Space exploration may seem like a frivolous use of resources in a time of economic austerity, but it’s a valuable lever to accelerate truly innovative technologies that inevitably find uses in wider society.

  • Confined space: the future of collaborative planetary exploration

    19 Mar 2012

    One of science’s most engaging areas, planetary exploration, has been hit hard by the financial crisis.

  • Ear-worn device ensures a bright disposition

    5 Mar 2012

    A Finnish company’s novel method for tackling seasonal affective disorder works by shining light into the ears.

  • The wind knocked out of our sails

    29 Feb 2012

    Continuing ambivalence about wind energy isn’t surprising, but realism has to kick in at some point, and the wind energy industry needs to demonstrate its commitment as much as the politicians.

  • McLaren Applied Technologies chief Geoff McGrath

    20 Feb 2012

    Race for the fittest: A small division of McLaren aims to apply the company’s strengths in motorsport to a range of other applications.

  • Damage detection

    20 Feb 2012

    Siemens is reaping the benefits of using vibration monitoring to pick up signs of wear to the bearings of train traction motors. Stuart Nathan reports

  • Quicker thinking

    15 Feb 2012

    Motorsport is a vital and unique part of the UK engineering sector, but it needs to be imaginative in the way it transfers its expertise

  • Forth Amendment

    6 February 2012

    A unique cable-stayed bridge looks set to enhance Scotland’s structural landscape while maintaining vital transport links.

  • The child, in time

    1 Feb 2012

    The furore over the government’s downgrading of the engineering diploma raises some interesting questions over the value we place on engineering knowledge.

  • Building society

    23 Jan 2012

    How can major infrastructure projects help to rebalance the UK economy?

  • Railroaded

    11 Jan 2012

    The most important people for the HS2 project are the engineers who will have to plan, specify and build it. Despite the long association of engineers with railways, it’s worrying that few have raised their voices about this project

  • Race for the prize

    4 Jan 2012

    China’s announcement of plans for a moon mission aren’t likely to trigger a new Space Race; exploration these days is more a matter of collaboration than nationalism

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Areva's UK director Julian Brown

    12 December 2011

    Areva’s country director for UK wind is dedicated to bringing economical energy to (just off) our shores.

  • Cold storage - an Arctic solution to the data storage cooling problem

    12 December 2011

    The data we generate is leading to skyrocketing emissions from data centres and some engineers are going to the ends of the Earth for a solution.

  • 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?

  • UK innovation strategy means SMEs take centre stage

    8 Dec 2011

    High-tech small- and medium-sized businesses are at the focus of the government’s newly announced Innovation and Research Strategy for Growth.

  • 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.

  • The 2011 Winners - UK manufacturing finds itself under the spotlight

    2 Dec 2011

    Manufacturing in the UK has come in for an unusual amount of scrutiny over the past year. While most of the country is usually content to ignore it – apart from when it’s complaining about its demise – this year, the manufacturing sector has been the subject of two BBC documentary series, along with a variety of newspaper articles both slating a perceived lack of ambition and trying to promote the resurgence of the sector.

  • The 2011 Aerospace winner - FLAVIIR

    2 Dec 2011

    The Demon UAV has become the world’s first aircraft to gain ’mastery of the air’ without using flaps.

  • The 2011 Manufacturing & Process Innovation winner - ProWave

    2 Dec 2011

    The Prowave microwave system unlocks the potential of natural vermiculite in an energy-efficient way.

  • The 2011 Automotive Winner - CABLED

    2 Dec 2011

    The UK’s largest study of its kind has provided a glimpse into how the future could be shaped by electric cars.

  • Pure drive

    28 Nov 2011

    For the chief operating officer and executive chairman of battery firm Evida, all-electric cars are the only way to go.

  • Tilt to last

    28 November 2011

    Advanced analysis methods have given rise to the development of a luxury off-kilter tower in the heart of Abu Dhabi

  • 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.

  • Project has designs on artificial enzymes for drugs and plastics

    24 Nov 2011

    A European project is aiming to take a leaf from nature’s book in directing chemical reactions to make products needed by industry.

  • Research foresees automated driving to avoid accidents

    23 Nov 2011

    Cars that can take over driving duties at points when accidents are most likely, then return control to the driver, could be on the market within five years.

  • 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.

  • Snake robots for scar-free surgery

    14 November 2011

    Snakes and bladders: UK-developed robots are helping realise the scar-free potential of natural orifice surgery

  • Near-infrared analysis method detects counterfeit whisky

    11 Nov 2011

    Researchers from St Andrew’s University have devised a method for detecting counterfeit whisky.

  • 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.

  • Lola shows the way in motorsport-to-defence

    31 October 2011

    The skills needed to win in the world of motorsport are ever more valued by the defence and aerospace sectors.

  • German lessons don't sink in

    26 Oct 2011

    The German philosophy on investment in science and technology underpins the strength of its economy. Why does Britain consistently fail to follow suit?

  • Record producer Steve Levine talks about electric cars

    20 Oct 2011

    The Engineer visited Grammy-winning producer Steve Levine to talk about his work designing sound for electric vehicles

  • IndyCar disaster puts safety focus on motorsport

    19 Oct 2011

    Changes will have to be made to IndyCar racing following the death of driver Dan Wheldon. Will the series learn lessons from Formula 1, and could this result in changes to F1 cars?

  • Magna Parva engineers develop ultrasonic space drill

    17 October 2011

    A UK-developed ultrasonic drill could help robots collect rock samples from Mars.

  • Package Tour: Astrium rover heads to Spain

    3 Oct 2011

    UK Mars rover Bridget heads to Tenerife for her latest round of tests.

  • Rolls-Royce's "beast of the seas"

    3 October 2011

    The MT30 marine turbine uses aero engine technology to provide increased power for the world’s navies.

  • Aston Vice-Chancellor Julia King

    The Engineer - Women in Engineering supplement

    Prof Julia King thinks that more work needs to be done to improve gender balance in engineering. Stuart Nathan reports

  • BAE Systems job cuts send unwelcome message

    28 Sep 2011

    It’s hard to square BAE’s announcement of 3000 ’potential’ job losses with industry’s constant warnings of skills shortages. The message it sends is bleak.

  • Pop producer Steve Levine

    19 September 2011

    Record producer Steve Levine is now using his musical know-how to engineer soundscapes for electric cars.

  • Fusion factory

    19 September 2011

    Work at the UK’s JET project could help bring commercial nuclear fusion a step closer.

  • Project aims to enhance electric vehicle development

    15 Sep 2011

    Five UK universities are to investigate how the UK automotive sector can improve the crucial technologies for low-carbon vehicles.

  • Are geoengineering opponents short sighted?

    14 Sep 2011

    A research project to test the feasibility of geoengineering is inevitably controversial, but should be allowed to go ahead.

  • Designing the Type 26 frigate

    05 September 2011

    The Royal Navy’s next-generation frigate is begining to take shape

  • Babcock develops innovative anti-torpedo system

    05 September 2011

    A revolutionary launcher powered by compressed air could boost submarines’ ability to evade torpedo attacks.

  • A second chance for Derby?

    31 Aug 2011

    Crossrail could benefit two cities — London and Derby. A delay in the awarding of the train supply contract is welcome

  • Communication key to gender balance

    24 Aug 2011

    If engineers are to fulfill their potential in the sector regardless of their gender, we’re going to have to look at more than just tackling overt sexism

  • Dummy run: Building the perfect crash-test dummy

    15 August 2011

    Despite the advances in safety analysis, research centre TRL says there is no substitute for crash-test dummies.

  • Power pack: nuclear power in space

    15 August 2011

    With plutonium-238 supplies running low, the race is on to find new power sources for spacecraft

  • Crash test dummies

    15 August 2011

    The Engineer visited the Transport Research Laboratory to find out about the research that goes into developing crash test dummies

  • Adding up a culture change

    10 Aug 2011

    Recent recommendations for a change in the way that mathematics is taught may have come from an unexpected source, but they provide food for thought

  • Confidence, profit, and a 40-year-old rocket

    3 Aug 2011

    Imperial Innovations shows us that there’s money to be made from developing and launching companies from university research, but it’s vital that people know about it.

  • Commercialising the Moon: the Lunar X Prize and beyond

    18 July 2011

    A contest is underway to land a probe on the Moon, with the X-Prize Foundation promising a huge reward for the first team to get there. The goals are not only scientific, but also commercial.

  • Lightweight robots: Festo's flying circus

    18 July 2011

    There’s more than meets the eye to Festo’s eye-catching menagerie of flying robots.

  • Alec Reader, director of NanoKTN

    18 July 2011

    Innovations in UK nanotechnology could spark a technological revolution, says NanoKTN’s director.

  • Additive manufacturing video report

    14 Jul 2011

    The Engineer paid a visit to EADS Innovation Works in Filton to see how additive layer manufacturing is progressing.

  • The end of the big dither?

    13 Jul 2011

    The government’s Energy Market Reforms White Paper calls for a staggering amount of investment to keep the lights on, but this has been overdue for years. We can only hope it works.

  • Shell set to build world's biggest floating structure

    4 Jul 2011

    Engineers at oil and gas giant Shell are embarking on a new project to build an enormous floating structure which will change the way gas is produced.

  • Spin doctors

    4 July 2011

    UK universities are employing ’spin-out incubators’ to help them to grow businesses out of academic research.

  • Inside view

    29 Jun 2011

    A new initiative to show teachers, careers advisors and students what the engineering sector has to offer begins today, but the industry needs to keep public engagement at the top of its agenda across all its sectors

  • Composite class: developing the Airbus A350-XWB

    20 June 2011

    Europe’s answer to the Dreamliner, the Airbus A350 XWB is beginning to take shape

  • Hydrogen in the air: electric aircraft

    20 June 2011

    The development of a storage system for fuel cells could signal a step forward for low-emissions aircraft

  • Hard times for education without context of climate

    15 Jun 2011

    With report after report suggesting that young people are engaged with science when its related to the wider world, the government’s curriculum advisor wants to see less context and more focus on facts. Is he wrong?

  • Developing autonomous fighting machines

    6 June 2011

    War machines: Accelerating the development of autonomous defence systems raises both ethical and technological questions

  • Ireland charges ahead with electric vehicle infrastructure

    6 June 2011

    A new scheme is set to make Ireland the first country in Europe with a universally accessible charging network

  • Will nuclear U-turn leave an energy gap?

    1 Jun 2011

    Germany’s announcement that it is to abandon nuclear power and pursue renewable technologies to meet its energy generating needs isn’t a surprise.

  • Adrian Moore, chairman for the Isle of Man Aerospace Cluster

    23 May 2011

    The Isle of Man could teach its larger neighbour a thing or two about technology development

  • Back on track: Electric motorcycles race for innovation

    9 May 2011

    The regulation-light world of electric motorbike racing is reaffirming the link between motorsport and innovation

  • Harnessing the sun, the wind and the sea with E/S Orcelle

    9 May 2011

    Dream Boat: A concept for a renewably powered cargo vessel could help drive emissions-free shipping.

  • Nuclear waste is safe and sound with polymer storage

    25 April 2011

    Innovative encapsulation techniques could help the UK to deal with its ’exotic’ nuclear waste legacy.

  • Solid as a rock: mineralising carbon dioxide

    25 April 2011

    A range of methods for turning CO2 into stable solids could prompt a rethink on carbon capture and storage.

  • Designing an energy efficient factory

    The Engineer - Sustainability Supplement

    Manufacturers across a range of sectors are reaping the rewards of addressing energy efficiency.

  • Notes from a small island

    20 Apr 2011

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

  • Space celebrations

    11 Apr 2011

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

  • Industrial applications could boost fusion energy research

    11 Apr 2011

    Nuclear fusion is one of engineering’s most important — and elusive — goals. But one UK team believes that using fusion as a source of neutrons for medical applications and nuclear waste treatment could help tackle some of its biggest challenges.

  • Neil Patterson, McLaren Automotive chief engineer

    11 April 2011

    The McLaren MP4-12C, the first supercar from the country’s newest automotive company, has received rave reviews in the press and is about to be sent out to its first buyers. Neil Patterson, the car’s chief designer, talks about the project and how McLaren fits into the UK’s engineering sector

  • Space for improvement

    6 Apr 2011

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

  • Bloodhound gang: the team behind the UK's land speed record attempt

    28 March 2011

    No-nonsense aerospace experts, flamboyant rocketry specialists and an exuberant project leader epitomise the diverse team of engineers working on the UK’s latest land speed record contender

  • Wolfgang Paetsch, head of EADS Astrium's ATV programme

    28 March 2011

    To boldly cargo: The head of the team behind the ESA’s space truck ponders its possible manned future. Stuart Nathan reports

  • Time to dispel the nuclear myths

    23 Mar 2011

    The public still fear and misunderstand the nuclear industry, and mainstream media have no brief to help them. It’s down to the industry to rethink how it tackles engagement.

  • Energy future: time to be ambitious

    18 Mar 2011

    New concerns over nuclear power in the wake of the Fukushima incident could be the spur to look for long-term alternatives. Engineering’s biggest holy grail, nuclear fusion, is a worthy target

  • Breath Taking: next generation diagnostic technology

    14 March 2011

    Diagnostic ’breathalysers’ could soon enable doctors to rapidly spot conditions ranging from lung cancer to schizophrenia.

  • Measure for measure

    9 Mar 2011

    You can’t reduce anything unless you can measure it, and smart meters are just one of the ways that we can understand and control our energy usage.

  • Flare path: protecting infrastructure from space weather

    28 Feb 2011

    Here comes the sun: engineers are beginning to understand how space weather could affect today’s technology

  • Time out of mind

    23 Feb 2011

    The publication of a safety study for the underground storage of intermediate- and high-level waste shows the scope of a project which must last into geological time. Is this the most challenging engineering task of current times?

  • Cloudy, with a chance of apocalypse

    18 Feb 2011

    The recent solar flares have made an upcoming feature in The Engineer unexpectedly topical. If you thought the weather on Earth was bad, wait til you see what the Cosmos can fling at us.

  • Flying start: Flybrid develops flywheel hybrids

    14 February 2011

    Super fly: Derived from F1, flywheel systems will offer energy-efficiency benefits for road-ready hybrids. Stuart Nathan reports

  • ETI chief executive David Clarke

    14 February 2011

    Cutting carbon: Investor fears must be soothed if low-carbon technology is to flourish, says ETI’s chief executive. Stuart Nathan reports

  • Raising the profile of apprenticeships

    9 Feb 2011

    It’s National Apprenticeship Week 2011, although you could be forgiven for not knowing. It seems like our old adversary, public perception, is once again causing trouble.

  • Growth industries: the future for the UK's emerging technology sectors

    31 January 2011

    Emerging technologies could be key to Britain’s future as an engineering nation. Stuart Nathan reports

  • Pedal pushers: the trans-Atlantic pedalo

    31 January 2011

    Two young engineers are hoping to break a record for an Atlantic crossing…in a craft powered by pedals. Stuart Nathan reports

  • The start of the wind of change

    26 Jan 2011

    As Vince Cable and his fellow ministers launch a ‘manufacturing summit’ as part of the government’s much-trumpeted attempt to rebalance the economy, some welcome news comes with Siemens’ announcement of an offshore wind turbine plant in Hull.

  • Cable and Wireless satellite chief John Miller

    17 Jan 2011

    Satellite technology would be useless without the advanced terrestrial systems that back it up.

  • The long view: engineering the world's largest telescope

    17 January 2011

    An enormous ground-based telescope could provide unparalleled images of our universe

  • A prime chance to connect

    5 Jan 2011

    Engineering is still lacking people who can communicate to and enthuse the public. Could the venerable Royal Institution have given us a candidate?

  • Flights of fancy

    22 Dec 2010

    A briefing about the future of tanks was always going to be interesting, especially when the invitation offered a view of science fiction come to life.

  • Electricity market reforms could trigger nuclear investment

    17 Dec 2010

    The government’s announcement of reforms to the UK’s electricity market, designed to support the generation of low-carbon power, is likely to sound the starting pistol for utilities to begin making investment decisions for new nuclear build

  • BAE Systems looks to the future for ground warfare

    16 Dec 2010

    A range of technologies could improve the effectiveness and fuel efficiency of current military vehicles, while laying the groundwork for future fighting vehicles

  • Ship shape: a new concept for greener, cleaner oil tankers

    13 December 2010

    A novel tanker design aims to tackle the issues of how to efficiently transport large quantities of oil.

  • Celebrating a rich stream of innovation

    8 Dec 2010

    The Engineer is delighted to announce the winners of The Engineer Technology and Innovation Awards 2010

  • Sailing on the Seven Seas

    8 Dec 2010

    International attention is beginning to focus on the environmental performance of shipping, with both regulators and an intriguing NGO looking for ways to encourage emissions reduction. How they respond will be extremely interesting.

  • UAV autolanding system

    3 Dec 2010

    A group led by Roke has developed and demonstrated technology that enables a UAV to land autonomously without any help from the ground

  • Unplugged: inductive charging on the road

    29 November 2010

    Inductive charging could one day enable drivers to ’refuel’ electric cars while on the move. Stuart Nathan reports

  • Alex Burns, Williams F1 chief executive

    29 November 2010

    Race to market: Williams F1’s chief executive is keen to exploit the wider commercial potential of motorsport advances. Stuart Nathan reports

  • Peter Hansford, President of the Institution of Civil Engineers

    15 November 2010

    Structured thinking: The ICE’s new president calls on government to drive low-carbon innovation in the civil sector

  • Cutting edge: the rise of surgical robots

    15 November 2010

    For some, the development of robots to assist in, or even perform, surgery is alarming, but the machines are being designed for actions which they can perform better and more reliably than the human hand while remaining under a surgeon’s control

  • Tools of the trade

    10 Nov 2010

    Problems with the public perception of engineers in the UK persist, despite the professions’ education efforts. Perhaps it’s time to define ourselves by what we do.

  • Quiet moves herald a new UK space age

    1 November 2010

    Although not widely acknowledged by the general public, the UK has quietly forged a leading position in space science, and the government seems to be prepared to support it.

  • Force field: The mission to map Earth's magnetism

    1 November 2010

    Earth’s magnetic field protects us from solar radiation and could tell us about minerals in the crust and the climate, but it has been a mystery for over 500 years. ESA is about to lauch a mission to discover more

  • Tabletop X-rays: miniaturising the synchrotron

    1 November 2010

    Scientists have developed a compact X-ray source that could rival the power of large-scale synchrotrons

  • Uncanny androids

    29 Oct 2010

    Prepare the robo-cake, light the robo-candles: the Little Robot that Could is ten years old.

  • Leaving on a jetplane. Eventually.

    27 Oct 2010

    BA’s chairman has called for a reduction in the number of airport security procedures. Can engineers help with this?

  • Antarctic Crossing: Engineering the Moon-Regan Expedition

    18 October 2010

    Snow Patrol: engineering innovation is at the heart of a bold scientific expedition to the Antarctic. Stuart Nathan reports

  • Jet Power: Bladon's microjets enable Jaguar turbine hybrid

    18 October 2010

    Jaguar’s eyebrow-raising turbine electric hybrid might just provide a glimpse of our automotive future. Stuart Nathan reports

  • Waiting for the axe to fall

    13 Oct 2010

    It’s difficult to get away from the subject of cuts at the moment. Every public figure seems to be either attacking them or seeking to justify them.

  • Active volcano drill project to reveal caldera secrets

    4 October 2010

    A controversial drilling project aims to determine the danger posed by Italy’s Campi Flegrei volcano. Stuart Nathan reports

  • Shedding light: Engineering research at Diamond

    4 October 2010

    The UK’s Diamond Light Source is enabling advances across a range of engineering sectors. Stuart Nathan reports

  • Space for opportunity

    29 Sep 2010

    A plan announced by Surrey Satellites to launch three Earth-imaging spacecraft to be hired out to commercial customers demonstrates the UK’s leading position in the private sector space industry.

  • Olympics showcase: translating the architects' vision for the Aquatics Centre

    20 September 2010

    Talent pool: the striking roof of the 2012 aquatics centre will be a showpiece for British architecture.

  • Owen Evans, manager of BAE Systems' UK Sport partnership

    20 September 2010

    Winning brief: BAE’s sports supremo explains how engineers can help maximise athletes’ performance.

  • Defence concern as cuts loom

    15 Sep 2010

    The government should be wary of targeting large defence projects in its efforts to reduce the UK’s budget deficit; developing new technology is often an investment, not a cost

  • Clean slate: design and production of electric vehicles

    6 September 2010

    Car manufacturers are starting to capitalise on the design freedom offered by low-carbon electric vehicles .

  • Centre point: Hermann Hauser discusses commercialising technology

    6 September 2010

    The pioneer of home computing says that technology innovation centres will help the UK play to its strengths

  • Bad business of biofuels

    1 Sep 2010

    A new report reveals that UK retailers are blending non-sustainable biofuels into petrol and diesel. Could better advice to government have prevented this?

  • Completing the energy jigsaw

    25 Aug 2010

    With less than a year to go until the Health and Safety Executive decides whether to approve the two competing designs for Britain’s new fleet of nuclear reactors, the government needs to move on reform of the electricity market to encourage private investment.

  • Potential energy: dye-sensitised solar cells

    16 August 2010

    A low-cost solar cell that imitates photosynthesis opens up new applications for photovoltaics.

  • Worth its salt: Norway trials osmotic power

    16 August 2010

    A marine power plant that uses osmosis to generate electricity is being trialled in Norway

  • Power play

    11 Aug 2010

    Leaving off the development of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles until low-carbon energy generation is available would be a poor use of resources and create many more problems than it solves

  • Unlock the rock: cracking the shale gas challenge

    26 July 2010

    Innovations in extraction and geology mean that shale gas is easing concerns over energy security in the US. But as exploration spreads, engineers are facing the environmental challenge of extracting the gas from deep rock

  • Peter Young, UK head of Arup Advanced Technology & Research

    26 July 2010

    Measured advice: Arup’s UK technology chief has a brief stretching way beyond his firm’s structural heartland.

  • Fox speech overlooks defence spend issue

    20 Jul 2010

    Talking at the Farnborough airshow, defence secretary Liam Fox was meant to have outlined government’s big idea for reining in defence spending. The trouble is, he doesn’t appear to have revealed any concrete plans at all.

  • Astrium engineers develop tools for asteroid sample return

    12 July 2010

    Engineers are developing sampling concepts to allow materials from other planets to be studied on Earth.

  • Flaviir project trials new forms of wing command

    12 July 2010

    Flapless technology that manipulates airflow could represent a new way to control aircraft.

  • Engaging encounters

    7 Jul 2010

    The Royal Society’s recent Summer Exhibition in London demonstrates the value of well thought-out public engagement

  • Full-scale model

    30 Jun 2010

    Construction of the first of the UK’s new aircraft carriers, Queen Elizabeth, is well underway at BAE Systems Surface Ships’ Govan shipyard.

  • Taking charge: building Britain's electric car infrastructure

    28 June 2010

    As electric cars hit the UK’s roads in greater numbers, the development of infrastructure is a key consideration.

  • Inventor of the ARM chip Stephen Furber

    27 Jun 2010

    Few areas of electronics are untouched by the ARM chip. Now its inventor is turning to neuroscience.

  • George the Grim does little to cheer

    23 Jun 2010

    We’ll have to wait for the autumn to see how the government will treat spending on R&D. But the budget, at least, wasn’t bad news on all counts.

  • Plastic electronics pioneer Richard Friend

    14 Jun 2010

    Cambridge University’s Professor Richard Friend predicts a bright future for polymer electronics.

  • Offshore giants: the rise of the towering turbine

    14 Jun 2010

    Huge turbines that dwarf today’s devices could be the future for offshore wind.

  • Solar pioneer Michael Grätzel wins Millennium prize

    10 Jun 2010

    The world’s richest science and technology award, the Millennium Technology Prize, has been presented to German photonics expert Prof Michael Grätzel.

  • Shrinking feeling for Big Oil

    2 Jun 2010

    BP’s current troubles are likely to continue, with investigations and shareholder concern. But could the Deepwater disaster trigger a shift in energy emphasis?

  • The rise of additive manufacturing

    24 May 2010

    Dream machines: Systems capable of printing functional components are poised to enter the manufacturing mainstream

  • Building body parts with 3D printing

    24 May 2010

    Body builders: Doctors could soon be able to use 3D printing to produce blood vessels and even whole organs

  • Willetts, or won't he?

    19 May 2010

    The new science minister has a reputation for his formidable intellect. Can he master his brief quickly enough to be a strong advocate for the technology sector?

  • Jaw, jaw is better than war, war

    10 May 2010

    The outcome of this week’s meetings between Cameron’s clique and Clegg’s cabal could have profound consequences for engineers

  • McLaren Automotive launches MP4-12C, its first supercar

    4 May 2010

    Young pretender: built in its own production centre, McLaren’s MP4-12C is taking on the aristocrats of the supercar world

  • Advanced geometry: engineering architecture at the Olympics

    4 May 2010

    Super structure: Arup’s advanced geometry unit is set to construct a controversial tower in London’s Olympic Village. Stuart Nathan reports

  • Ocelot of trouble

    28 Apr 2010

    Press days don’t always go to plan, even when military hardware is on show. Stuart Nathan encounters a lot of mud, a large vehicle, a bad smell and a lot of smoke.

  • Forecourt foresight

    28 Apr 2010

    The rising oil price is encouraging development of low-carbon vehicles, but the tipping point from petrol to electric power still seems far off.

  • Ash confusion highlights importance of research

    21 Apr 2010

    Ash Wednesday: The decision to close airspace while research was conducted into flight safety was sound. Now we need to consider our attitude to research into rare, but potentially catastrophic, phenomena.

  • Mark Chapman - chief engineer, Bloodhound SSC

    19 April 2010

    Quick thinking: The chief engineer of the Bloodhound SSC faces the challenge of making a car travel at 1,000mph… safely.

  • The future of military tanks

    19 April 2010

    Flexible fighters: A fundamental design rethink could see the tank of the future perform a variety of new roles.

  • Joined-up thinking on the campaign trail

    14 Apr 2010

    Politicians’ reluctance to talk about engineering and its role in economic recovery reflects badly on them, and gives a worrying indication of the importance they place upon it.

  • Prof Christopher Snowden, president, Institution of Engineering and Technology

    6 Apr 2010

    State of Innovation: One of the UK’s most influential engineers has a vision that could put engineering at the heart of society.

  • The sky is not the limit

    31 Mar 2010

    Britain has its own space agency, which seems odd to some people. We all know what NASA does — it sent men to the Moon; it operates the Space Shuttle. What would be the British equivalent? Rockets in milk bottles on the fifth of November? Hardly.

  • 3D television technology

    22 March 2010

    Until recently the preserve of selected cinemas - 3D is now poised to make the leap into our living rooms.

  • Energy efficient dishwasher harnesses power of zeolites

    21 Mar 2010

    In their first application outside of industry, zeolites are being used to cut the energy usage of dishwashers.

  • A second chance to rule the waves?

    17 Mar 2010

    Britain is in a strong position to benefit from marine power, and to secure a leading technology position, but government must be willing to encourage investment and to invest itself

  • The dawn of of the solar power station

    10 Mar 2010

    Engineers are working to bring large-scale solar power to the forefront of the energy sector.

  • Sea of green

    9 Mar 2010

    Carbon capture and storage could reduce the environmental impact of shipping.

  • Commercial Road

    3 Mar 2010

    Are multi-partner research projects involving industry and academia the best way to commercialise technology R&D in the UK? Contract research involving university spin-outs might be a more fruitful route to take.

  • Marc Raibert of Boston Dynamics

    22 February 2010

    The brains behind tomorrow’s battle-droids: the president of defence robot developer Boston Dynamics is preparing to take the firm’s BigDog robot even further.

  • Vertical axis turbine puts new spin on wind energy

    22 February 2010

    Wind turbines with V-shaped arms could eliminate the problems associated with top-heavy models.

  • Lost in space

    17 Feb 2010

    The government’s space science strategy is well intentioned, but in neglecting solar system exploration, it risks cutting off an important sector of UK engineering and alienating potential talented engineers.

  • After shock

    9 Feb 2010

    Engineering is vital to help poorer countries such as Haiti prepare for quakes, resulting in more durable buildings and, as a result, significantly fewer fatalities.

  • Martin Ditter of ESA UK Harwell research centre

    08 February 2010

    The director of the European Space Agency’s new UK technology outpost explains why ESA wants to tap into British science and enterprise culture

  • Moon shot

    3 Feb 2010

    The cancelling of Project Constellation by President Obama wasn’t a surprise.

  • Confidence is key

    27 Jan 2010

    So the UK’s out of recession. Just about. Teetering on the edge of falling back in, but nevertheless out. This has to be good news for the engineering sector, but any optimism must be tempered with a great deal of caution.

  • UK supercar sector drives innovation

    25 January 2010

    Britain’s small supercar makers are helping to foster new engineering and design talent. Stuart Nathan reports

  • Making and history

    20 Jan 2010

    The BBC and the British Museum are starting an ambitious project this week —telling the history of the world through 100 objects in the museum’s vast collection, in fifteen minute chunks on Radio 4

  • Forward thinking

    11 January 2010

    With the next election looming, we asked some of the UK’s top engineers how government could help the sector

  • It just popped up

    15 Dec 2009

    Every journalist has a stack of stuff they’ve been given at press conferences. Some are handy, like the bike helmet BASF gave me some years ago. Some are bizarre, like the Australian $10 bill encased in an inch-thick slab of perspex I have sitting on my desk, in case of emergencies (you never know when you’re going to need A$10). But this year’s champion oddity is the review copy of the Large Hadron Collider pop-up book.

  • Aviation future up in the air

    9 Dec 2009

    A long-awaited report into the future of aviation in the UK is spreading discord among the various groups involved with the air industry.

  • Delivering the key to growth

    Technology and Innovation Awards 2009 Supplement

    It is the third year of The Engineer’s Technology and Innovation Awards and, once again, it is our pleasure, along with our main sponsor, BAE Systems, to recognise and honour the best examples of innovation in the UK resulting from collaboration between academia and industry. As you will see in these pages, companies large and small understand the contribution that university researchers can make to engineering projects and are keen not only to support that research, but also to get ...

  • BAE Systems' shipbuilding technology head, Kevin McLeod

    7 December 2009

    Ships in the fight: UK shipbuilding is in its most exciting period for decades, says Kevin McLeod of BAE Systems

  • India in orbit

    7 December 2009

    The latest member of the space-faring community has bold plans for future missions.

  • Smart move

    2 Dec 2009

    Plans for a UK-wide smart gas and electricity meter scheme are to be unveiled today by the energy and climate change secretary, Ed Miliband, which will see 47million meters installed in 26million properties by 2020. Almost five million meters per year: that’s a tough target. And this will be accompanied by the roll-out of smart grid systems, so not only will householders be able to see how they are consuming energy – and therefore control how much they use more easily – but the system ...

  • Doubts and pessimism still cling to nuclear

    27 Nov 2009

    The schedule for the UK’s nuclear future could be in trouble, it seems. The Health and Safety Executive has revealed some concerns over the amount of information the companies have made available, and revealed that initially, the HSE was faced with a shortage of qualified people to assess the designs.

  • Design of the times

    23 November 2009

    A design team will work with engineers early on in projects to help create more marketable products.

  • Urban planning engineers explore anti-flood options

    18 Nov 2009

    The UK is considering new techniques to deal with the recent rise in localised flooding.

  • Are there mechanics on Mars?

    16 Nov 2009

    NASA’s attempts to free the Mars Rover ‘Spirit’ begin this week; it has been bogged down in sandy soil on the Red Planet for the past seven months.

  • Westinghouse UK chairman David Bonser

    28 Oct 2009

    With the UK’s new-build on the blocks, David Bonser outlines Westinghouse’s proposed reactor.

  • Nimrod MRA4 makes debut at last

    26 Oct 2009

    The MRA4 Nimrod is about to enter service after long delays. Stuart Nathan gives the end result the once-over.

  • Sikorsky's Marc Poland

    12 Oct 2009

    Marc Poland of Sikorsky lifts the lid on the safer, faster helicopters of tomorrow.

  • Photovoltaics set to join building mainstream

    7 Sep 2009

    Photovoltaic panels integrated into building structures are making inroads in the solar energy sector.

  • Millbrook Proving Ground's Andrew Eastlake

    29 Jun 2009

    Millbrook’s Andrew Eastlake explains why the iconic testing ground is a favourite with everyone from film-makers to London bus designers

  • Mike Lawrence of the National Nuclear Laboratory

    21 May 2009

    Mike Lawrence of the National Nuclear Laboratory explains the activities and challenges undertaken by the nuclear technology services provider.

  • Turning the tide at the European Marine Energy Centre

    26 Mar 2007

    In the dramatic, windswept landscape of Orkney, Scotland, engineers are helping to harness some of the most powerful waves and tides in the world to produce renewable marine energy.

Current Issue

The Engineer 14 May 2012

Poll

Local authorities in Cumbria and Kent are discussing the possibility of deep-level nuclear waste repositories, where waste will be sealed into underground vaults for thousands of years. What are your feelings about this method of disposing of high- and intermediate-level nuclear waste?

Previous Poll

Will the government's proposed large infrastructure projects be sufficient to lift Britain out of a second recession?

Click here to see the results and comment.

Advanced search