Engineering news
‘First plasma’ achieved at UK’s £55m fusion energy experiment
Professional Engineering
The Mast Upgrade fusion energy experiment has achieved ‘first plasma’, a vital step for the hugely promising future energy source. All the essential components on the £55m UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) machine – the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak Upgrade – worked together simultaneously for the first time, following a seven-year build.
“Mast Upgrade will take us closer to delivering sustainable, clean fusion energy,” said UKAEA CEO, Professor Ian Chapman. “This experiment will break new ground and test technology that has never been tried before. It will be a vital testing facility on our journey to delivering the Step fusion power plant.”
Aerospace sector suffers worst ever third quarter
Professional Engineering
Aerospace manufacturers received no orders for new commercial aircraft in September, a trade body has revealed. The torrid month capped off the worst ever third quarter for the sector, with just 13 orders placed worldwide. The figure represents a decline of 91.4% on the same quarter last year, said ADS, which represents and supports over 1,100 UK businesses in aerospace and related sectors.
Boeing warns of 30,000 jobs at risk by end of 2021
Aerospace Manufacturing
The global Boeing workforce could be cut by 30,000 by the end of 2021, the aerospace giant has announced. The company posted a £2.7bn loss in the three months to September, with the Covid-19 pandemic and grounding of the 737 Max having a severe impact.
Global offshore wind projects surge by nearly 50%
Professional Engineering
The global pipeline of offshore wind projects has grown by 47% since January, new research has shown, with countries making huge investments despite the coronavirus pandemic. The total capacity of projects that are operational, under construction, consented, in planning or in development stands at 197.4 gigawatts (GW), up from 134.7GW in mid-January, according to the Offshore Wind Project Intelligence report from RenewableUK.
More charging points needed to meet electric car demand
E&T
The number of available charging points in the EU is falling behind demand, according to a new report from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. Electric vehicle sales increased by 110% over three years, but the number of charging points only grew by 58%.
Researchers use dog training methods to teach bot new tricks
Professional Engineering
Researchers have adapted dog training methods to teach a robot new tricks in record time. The Johns Hopkins University robot – known as Spot – learned to do things such as stacking blocks, with the usual training timeframe of a month reduced to just days. By using positive reinforcement, an approach familiar to anyone who has used treats to change a dog's behaviour, the team of computer scientists dramatically improved the robot's skills.
3D-printed tongue could be used in research
The Engineer
A team of scientists at Leeds and Edinburgh universities have used 3D printing to create a biomimetic tongue. The synthetic silicone structure mimics features of the human tongue such as topology and elasticity. It could be used for testing food or pharmaceuticals.
Soil-powered fuel cell provides cheap water purification
Professional Engineering
A fuel cell powered by chemical reactions in soil-based organisms has been used to purify water, a technique that could bring cheap and sustainable clean water to those who need it. Engineers at the University of Bath developed the system, showing it was possible to capture and use energy from electrigens in the soil.
Vacuum mooring replaces ropes to complete fully autonomous fleet
Professional Engineering
A fleet of fully autonomous, zero-emission ships will automatically moor in port thanks to the introduction of a new vacuum mooring system. Replacing the system of ropes and chains that has anchored ships in port for thousands of years, the MoorMaster NxG from Cavotec can reportedly moor ships in as little as 30 seconds. The system uses automated vacuum pads that connect to and release vessels in seconds. Cavotec claims the pads can attach to any flat surface.
Carbon textile panels could help buildings last three-times longer
Professional Engineering
A structural strengthening method using a carbon textile grid and cement mortar can double the load-bearing capabilities of structurally deficient concrete structures, its developers have said. Such structures could also last for three-times as long using the new technique, according to the research team at the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT).
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