Engineering news
Battery-powered ‘flying ferries’ could slash Channel crossing times
E&T
Brittany Ferries and US start-up Regent are developing ‘flying ferries’ to carry 50-150 people between Portsmouth and Cherbourg in 40 minutes – more than four hours quicker than by boat. The battery-powered craft will exploit the wing-in-ground effect, riding on a cushion of air just above the water’s surface.
Floating reactors could provide safe and convenient nuclear power
New Atlas
Danish start-up Seaborg Technologies is developing a nuclear reactor designed for rapid mass-manufacturing and worldwide deployment on floating barges. The compact molten salt reactors are designed for maximum safety – in the worst event of a terrorist bombing, the mix of nuclear fuel and fluoride salts would solidify on contact with air.
Hydrogen-fuelled Land Rover Defender set for testing this year
Professional Engineering
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is developing a prototype of a hydrogen-fuelled Land Rover Defender. Testing of the fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) – based on the latest Defender model – is scheduled to begin towards the end of this year, the company announced on Tuesday (15 June).
Rolls-Royce targets 100-mile electric flight
Aerospace Manufacturing
Rolls-Royce has announced an £80m investment into energy storage systems (ESS) capable of powering flights of over 100 miles on a single charge. The ESS solutions will power electric and hybrid vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
Manufacturing growth forecast doubles
Process Engineering
The manufacturing sector is set to outpace the growth of the overall economy, according to the new Manufacturing Outlook report from MakeUK and BDO. Output levels are predicted to reach pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022.
Open-fan aircraft engines could cut carbon emissions
E&T
GE Aviation and Safran have announced the development of new open-fan aircraft engines. The novel architecture, designed to capture more air and boost efficiency, could reduce fuel use by more than 20%.
‘Living factories’ produce composite polymers for biomedical applications
Professional Engineering
Biomedical engineers have used living cells as ‘factories’ to produce composite polymers. The materials, known as semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (SIPNs), were produced at Duke University in North Carolina. The new approach could make versatile materials for biologically compatible applications such as time-delayed drug delivery systems.
Plans announced for Fusion Demonstration Plant
The Engineer
Canadian firm General Fusion will build its Fusion Demonstration Plant in Culham, Oxfordshire. The plant, which will use magnetised target fusion technology, will be based at the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s campus.
Why bioenergy has a part to play in a decarbonised energy system
Professional Engineering
The role of bioenergy in a decarbonised energy system is often poorly understood, but it could be a critical component of the future energy mix – here's why.
Flying race car series does first flight tests
New Atlas
The Airspeeder flying car race series has carried out its first flight tests in the South Australian desert. The Airspeeder Mk3 can go from 0-62mph in 2.8 seconds, and can climb to 500m.
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Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.