Engineering news
Ventilator green light
The Guardian
A ventilator which was urgently tweaked for mass production and government specifications has been approved for use. Penlon and larger manufacturers in the Ventilator Challenge UK will provide 5,000 of the ESO2 devices, to help patients with Covid-19 to breathe.
Help from orbit
Professional Engineering
Satellites and drones could tackle challenges such as delivering test kits and managing disease outbreaks, the government has said, as it appealed to the space sector to support the NHS during the coronavirus crisis. A European Space Agency (ESA) fund, which the UK is the leading investor in, will offer an initial £2.6m for projects to develop high-tech solutions for the challenges posed by Covid-19 to NHS England.
Aircraft could become oxygen chambers
The Engineer
Grounded aircraft could be repurposed into hyperbaric oxygen chambers to help treat coronavirus patients, according to a life support systems company quoted in The Engineer. With many airliners grounded, Lungfish Dive Systems believes they could be pressurised with air to treat patients and potentially prevent the need for ventilators.
HS2 construction gets ‘notice to proceed’
Professional Engineering
Construction of High Speed 2 can begin despite the coronavirus lockdown, after the government issued a ‘notice to proceed’ on the new railway. The approval of main construction works follows the prime minister’s decision to go ahead with the project earlier this year despite spiralling costs. Joint venture companies will start building in line with Public Health England advice amid the coronavirus pandemic, to protect workers and the public.
Pandemic could boost R&D
Process Engineering
The coronavirus pandemic could boost commitment to R&D in the UK and around the world, according to intellectual property firm Withers & Rogers. Chairman Karl Barnfather said the efforts to tackle the outbreak could leave a legacy of biomedical innovation.
Team builds 3,000 face shields in two weeks
IMechE
Inverness companies 4c Engineering and Aseptium teamed up to design and manufacture face shields for the ICU unit at their local hospital, Raigmore, making 3,000 face shields in the first two weeks with another 1,000 on the way. The project is led by members of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. The companies identified a need for additional face shields. By coming together, the firms managed to access supply chain knowledge, fabrication tools and equipment, design skills and user feedback.
High-tech spacesuit glove
New Atlas
The European Space Agency has revealed a high-tech spacesuit glove concept, designed by Comex and Agatha Medioni. The glove incorporates a number of tools and technologies, including gesture control of drones, a built-in range finder and a spacesuit status display.
A new age of assistive technology
Professional Engineering
Lightweight materials, miniature computers and new manufacturing techniques are revolutionising assistive technology for disabled people, says this article from Issue 2 of Professional Engineering. Some devices such as the Aergo posture support would reportedly not have been possible 10 years ago, but have been enabled by rapid prototyping and adjustments.
System listens in to monitor manufacturing
The Engineer
Researchers at Fraunhofer IDMT in Germany have created an ‘acoustic monitoring system’ to check that parts are put together correctly during automated manufacturing. Sensors listen out for clicks that happen when parts are put together correctly – if no sound is detected, the system displays an error and notifies workers.
Ancient solutions for modern aerospace problems
Professional Engineering
Dinosaurs could provide “ancient solutions to modern flight problems” such as aerial stability and drone launches, according to Liz Martin-Silverstone from the University of Bristol. Analysing the morphology and predicted flight mechanics of Pterosaurs and other ancient creatures has revealed novel tactics that don't exist in modern birds, such as stationary launch of heavy animals. The research could inform new techniques for drones.
Want the best engineering stories delivered straight to your inbox? The Professional Engineering newsletter gives you vital updates on the most cutting-edge engineering and exciting new job opportunities. To sign up, click here.
Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.