Engineering news
Rolls-Royce building world’s largest aero-engine
Professional Engineering
Rolls-Royce has started building the world’s largest aero-engine, claiming it will “help redefine sustainable air travel for decades to come”. Work on the first UltraFan module is underway at the firm’s DemoWorks facility in Derby. The demonstrator engine, which has a fan diameter of 3.56m, will be completed by the end of the year.
Lilium unveils 7-seater flying taxi
New Atlas
German firm Lilium has unveiled a seven-seater flying taxi, described by New Atlas as more of an ‘air minibus’. The vehicle will have a cruise speed of 280km/h and a range of 250km+, the company announced. It could fly commercially by 2024.
Manufacturing process mimics biological pattern forming
Professional Engineering
The biological mechanism of spontaneous pattern forming could be replicated for more efficient and sustainable manufacturing, a group of researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have said. The team developed a new technique that mimics the biological processes behind the formation of the ridges on our fingertips, or the spots on a cheetah. They hope it could simplify relatively complex manufacturing processes.
Virgin Galactic reveals shiny new space plane
Space.com
Virgin Galactic has revealed VSS Imagine, its second piloted space plane. Featuring a chrome livery, the craft will carry people and experiments to sub-orbital space. Virgin said it offers improved maintenance access and flight rate compared to earlier vehicles.
Animal-inspired materials could harvest wave energy
The Engineer
The University of Strathclyde has received funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council for two projects aimed at harvesting wave energy. One of the projects will use flexible, marine animal-inspired materials in wave energy converters in an attempt to survive extreme waves and fatigue.
Hydrogen trumps batteries in sustainable flight project
Professional Engineering
Hydrogen fuel cells will power an island-hopping nine-seater plane in a project aimed at demonstrating commercially viable sustainable flight. Ricardo UK will use its expertise in fuel cell development and Innovatus Technologies will bring its innovative Scottish Hydrogen Fuel Tank (SHyFT) technology to Project Fresson, which is developing a retrofit powertrain for the Britten-Norman Islander. Led by Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS), the project had previously planned to use batteries in an all-electric powertrain.
Airbus to develop in-orbit manufacturing
New Atlas
The European Commission has awarded Airbus a contract worth 3m euros to develop a low-Earth orbit manufacturing demonstrator. The project will develop a concept for satellite manufacture and assembly in space, which could help avoid some costs and challenges of rocket launches.
Hydro Wind Energy combines wind energy, desalination and subsea storage
Professional Engineering
London start-up Hydro Wind Energy is developing a range of ocean-based technologies aimed at providing low-cost energy and tackling water scarcity. The technology uses energy-harvesting offshore kites at high altitudes, combined with reverse-osmosis membranes and subsea pressure for desalination without fossil fuel power.
Boston Dynamics unveils new robot
The Verge
Boston Dynamics, the company behind robot dog Spot and human-like bipedal machines, has unveiled a new robot. Known as Stretch, the logistics tool combines a robotic arm, suction pads, wheels and an array of sensors to pick up and move boxes in warehouse environments.
Why the Cadillac of the future might not have wheels
Professional Engineering
In 10 years’ time, a new Cadillac might not have a steering wheel – and it might not even have wheels. The firm recently unveiled the Cadillac Halo electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft – here are our thoughts.
Want the best engineering stories delivered straight to your inbox? The Professional Engineering newsletter gives you vital updates on the most cutting-edge engineering and exciting new job opportunities. To sign up, click here.
Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.