Engineering news
UV-harvesting material and home breast cancer test win Dyson Awards
The Engineer
An ultraviolet light-harvesting material made of fruit and vegetable waste has won its creator the first ever Sustainability Dyson Award. Aureus, developed by Carvey Maigue from the Philippines, could be built into building facades or clothes to capture solar energy. The International Dyson Award went to Judit Benet from Spain, who developed The Blue Box, a device that screens for breast cancer. The home-testing platform was inspired by some dogs’ ability to sniff out cancer.
PM’s ‘green industrial revolution’
Professional Engineering
PM Boris Johnson set out his long-awaited 10 point plan for a ‘green industrial revolution’ this week. From the petrol ban to carbon capture, here are five points that will rely on significant engineering investment and innovation.
Boeing 737 Max cleared for take-off
The Guardian
The US Federal Aviation Administration has certified the Boeing 737 Max jet as safe, after it was grounded in the wake of two fatal crashes. The move came after Boeing tackled several issues that contributed to the crashes. The Guardian looked at the changes and airlines’ plans to fly the plane.
NASA crew flies to orbit on SpaceX Dragon
BBC
A NASA crew has reached and docked with the International Space Station after launching on a SpaceX rocket. The flight of the Falcon rocket and Dragon capsule was the first crew rotation on a commercial system.
Space-based solar power station could beam energy down to UK
Professional Engineering
Giant solar power satellites in orbit could collect solar energy around the clock and beam it back to the UK as high-frequency radio waves, according to an ambitious new government project. The government has commissioned new research into space-based solar power (SBSP) systems, involving ‘very large’ satellites transmitting to ground-based receivers connected to the electrical power grid.
Insect wings could help fight future pandemics
Professional Engineering
An unusual source could offer a potentially vital tool in the fight against drug-resistant bacterial infection – insect wings. We looked at two research projects seeking to understand and harness their unique properties to create a “new era” of antimicrobial nanotechnology.
Owl feathers could be key to quieter aircraft
E&T
Wings from nature could make another important engineering contribution – quieter aircraft. Researchers at City, University of London, revealed how micro-structured ‘finlets’ on owl feathers enable silent flight by avoiding turbulence in the air flow around the wing. The research could inform the development of laminar wing designs.
Space junk removal tech to be built in the UK
E&T
The attitude and control system of a new satellite aimed at removing space junk from orbit will be built in the UK. Elecnor Deimos will design the system for the European Space Agency’s ClearSpace-1, known as ‘The Claw’.
3 ways engineers are protecting lives during the pandemic
Professional Engineering
Faced with the ongoing pandemic, the IMechE’s Covid-19 Task Force has released a new Covid-19 Manual for Engineers. The online document highlights work being undertaken in a range of areas, from virus transmission to air cleaning, and looks at how biomedical engineering is contributing to management of the pandemic. The manual provides examples of best practice for engineers seeking to make workplaces and travelling safer.
We highlighted three ways that engineers are helping to save lives.
Wave energy start-up gets £850k investment
The Engineer
Edinburgh start-up Mocean Energy has secured £850k investment for the commercialisation of its wave energy technology. The Blue Star wave energy device could provide power to remote underwater vehicles used in the offshore sector.
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Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.