Engineering news
’Rocket man’ uses jet suit for flying paramedic trial
Professional Engineering
An inventor and engineer has flown his Iron Man-like jet suit in a simulated paramedic response to a remote emergency, potentially paving the way for life-saving flying responders. Gravity Industries founder and chief test pilot Richard Browning made the flight in collaboration with the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), travelling from the bottom of a Lake District valley to a simulated casualty site on The Band, near Bowfell. The jet suit covered the distance in 90 seconds – much quicker than an estimated 25-minute walk.
Hydrogen-powered train runs on UK mainline
Professional Engineering
A hydrogen-powered train ran on the UK mainline for the first time ever on Wednesday (30 September). Described as ‘a big step forward towards the UK’s net zero targets’, the Hydroflex – developed by train leasing company Porterbrook and the University of Birmingham – travelled through Evesham station as it started trials in Warwickshire. The technology used could be available for retrofits by 2023.
New insulation material keeps buildings cool in summer heat
E&T
Researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology have developed a new insulating material that can reportedly delay heat penetration from the outside, helping reduce energy use during longer and hotter heatwaves. The team injected bubbles into a phase change material to achieve the insulating effects.
Automation and robotics on the rise
Professional Engineering
Three-quarters of engineers who responded to a new Professional Engineering survey said they expect automation in their business to increase in the next five years, up from 62.5% last year. The survey, in association with Protolabs, found ‘robots and automated processes’ were more frequently associated with manufacturing compared to last year.
Samad unveils sports car-style ‘personal air vehicle’
Aerospace Manufacturing
British aviation firm Samad Aerospace has unveiled a new hybrid-electric personal air vehicle. Seating two passengers, the Q-Starling will take off vertically before transitioning to winged horizontal flight.
Simulation approach could solve major challenge for flying taxis
Professional Engineering
Noise is a major challenge to the deployment of novel new aircraft such as flying taxis. A new simulation approach could help solve that challenge, by quickly and accurately computing the noise characteristics of complex aerofoil designs under extreme operating conditions. By shortening simulation timeframes from months to hours, the approach – developed by researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology in Saudi Arabia – could accelerate the design and deployment of quieter aerofoils for next-generation aircraft.
Mach exhibition rescheduled
Aerospace Manufacturing
The Mach exhibition has been postponed from January 2021 to April 2022 due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The manufacturing technology event will take place at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
Suzuki outboard motor collects ocean micro-plastic while cooling engine
Professional Engineering
Suzuki has unveiled a micro-plastic collection device that can be installed on outboard motors. Aimed at contributing to the fight against marine plastic pollution, the device is installed to an outboard motor return hose, through which tonnes of water flow after being pumped up and around the engine as coolant, before being returned to the ocean. A filter inside the device collects micro-plastic waste as the water flows through.
’Tiny wind turbine’ provides small amount of power for electronic devices
The Guardian
Scientists at the Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems have developed a ‘tiny wind turbine’ to offer a small amount of low-cost power for electronic devices. The device, which stores static energy from the interaction of two plastic strips, could power remote sensors or personal electronics.
New collaborations could bring space jobs boost
Professional Engineering
International space-related projects on topics such as robotics, disaster relief and orbital debris could benefit from £5m of new government funding. The National Space Innovation Programme will fund innovative technologies and services being developed in ‘pioneering’ international collaborations. Funding between £250,000 and £2.5m will be available for projects supporting UK trade, science and security, in collaboration with teams in other ‘major space players’ such as Australia, France, Japan and the US.
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Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.