Engineering news
Pushing the wheel
Formula1.com
Fans and rivals were shocked this week as Mercedes F1 demonstrated a new technology during pre-season testing. Lewis Hamilton was seen pulling back on the steering wheel on the straight and pushing forwards before corners. The 'dual axis' system straightened out the car’s ‘toe-out’ on the straight, before returning to the slightly splayed configuration for turns. It could help manage wheel temperature – but might be banned from next season.
Offshore hydrogen production
Professional Engineering
The abundant wind energy and seawater around the UK’s coast could be harnessed to provide ‘green’ hydrogen for future energy demand if a new project is successful. The Dolphyn project, led by Environmental Resources Management, will develop technology that could see energy from floating offshore wind turbines power integrated water treatment units and electrolysers for localised hydrogen production. The government awarded the project £3.1m to design a 2MW prototype system, which could lead the way to large-scale 10MW turbines.
New fusion approach
New Atlas
A new type of nuclear fusion is reportedly already working “a billion times better than expected”, according to New Atlas. Instead of using rare fuels and incredibly high temperatures, the experimental approach from Australian firm HB11 Energy involves firing two lasers at a pellet of hydrogen and boron B-11.
Solar aircraft takes off
E&T
The Phasa-35 (Persistent High Altitude Solar Aircraft) from BAE Systems and Prismatic has flown for the first time. The unmanned aircraft uses solar power during the day and batteries during the night, and is designed to fly in the stratosphere for up to a year. It could provide mobile internet, conduct surveillance or aid disaster relief.
Airbus job cuts
The Manufacturer
Airbus has announced 357 job cuts from its UK workforce of 4,000, as part of a global reduction of 2,362 positions. The multinational firm said the cuts were necessary because of dwindling orders caused by a “flat space market and postponed contracts on the defence side”.
’Violent’ rocket propulsion
Professional Engineering
Detonating fuel to create a shockwave and subsequent ‘pulses’ of combustion could offer a fuel-efficient and lightweight form of rocket propulsion – if it was not so unpredictable. Now researchers from the University of Washington (UW) have developed a mathematical model that describes how the ‘rotating detonation engine’ works, hoping to enable engineers to improve them and make them stable.
’Urgent’ rail electrification
Rail Technology Magazine
The rail industry has ‘urged’ transport secretary Grant Shapps to start a ‘rolling programme’ of rail electrification. The work is needed if the government hopes to meet its target of decarbonising the network by 2040, said the Railway Industry Association and others in the letter.
Wind assistance for ships
The Engineer
Two wind-assist units known as Ventifoil have been installed on a commercial ship for the first time. Created by eConowind, the devices look like vertical wings at the front of the boat. Vents and internal fans provide extra propulsion, aimed at reducing fuel consumption.
Skills shortage impact
Professional Engineering
The skills shortage will have a bigger impact on UK engineering than automation or new materials over the next five years, according to 37% of engineers surveyed for new research. The study of 250 engineers by MPA, a professional business services company, found 22% thought automation would have the biggest impact on their sector up to 2025. 17% thought development of new materials would be most important, while 10% said data usage and 4% cybersecurity.
Electricity ‘from thin air’
E&T
Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst have created a device that reportedly generates electricity ‘out of thin air’. The Air-gen uses a film of ‘protein nanowires’ with electrodes on either side. When the film absorbs water vapour from the air, a current is generated.
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Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.