Engineering news
More students pick engineering
IMechE
The number of students choosing to study engineering subjects grew from 25,995 in 2011 to 31,545 in 2020, new UCAS data has shown – an increase of 21%. IMechE education policy adviser Lydia Amarquaye said: “It is encouraging to see that a growing number of young people are taking up courses in engineering and associated Stem subjects. We hope this will only increase as young people see the employability and value of engineers through their response to the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Another explosive landing for Starship project
Space.com
The latest prototype of SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft has exploded after a rough landing. The new three-engine vehicle, which met the same fate as its predecessor in December, flew for six-and-a-half minutes and reached an altitude of 10km, performing a horizontal flip manoeuvre that simulated part of an atmospheric re-entry.
Report shows huge scale of energy storage boom
Professional Engineering
The UK is in the middle of an energy storage boom, a new report has shown, with capacity set to rise significantly in the coming years. More than 16.1GW of battery storage capacity is operating, under construction or being planned across 729 projects, according to the latest Energy Storage Project Intelligence report from trade association RenewableUK. The last report, published in December 2019, identified a total pipeline of 10.5GW across 600 projects – in 2012, applications stood at just 2MW.
LED light developers win prestigious prize
Professional Engineering
Found in everything from computer screens to car headlights, LED lighting has transformed how the modern world looks, while its huge efficiency boost is helping to cut energy consumption and reduce emissions. Developers of the ‘ground-breaking’ technology received the 2021 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering this week.
Miniature diagnostic tools could be built quickly and cheaply
Professional Engineering
A new manufacturing technique developed at the University of Bristol could be used to quickly build rapid diagnostic tools for a range of diseases. The technique, which combines accessible 3D printing and open-source instructions, could accelerate development and uptake of on-chip diagnostic techniques in parts of the world where rapid diagnoses are ‘desperately needed’.
’Prometheus’ drones to map caves beneath rail network
The Engineer
Tiny drones inspired by similar devices in 2012 film Prometheus will map tunnels and caves beneath the rail network. The drones will squeeze through small holes to create detailed 3D scans of the subterranean environments.
Venus atmosphere inspires new catalytic converter
Professional Engineering
A surprising feature of the toxic atmosphere on Venus has inspired a new type of catalytic converter. The technology, which was developed by researchers at the University of Leeds, uses a catalyst based on meteorite material found in the atmosphere to efficiently convert carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides.
Gold-doped particles could speed up production of safe drinking water
Professional Engineering
A new material could accelerate evaporation in desalination plants to speed up production of safe drinking water, its developers have said. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles ‘decorated’ with gold absorb about 96% of the solar spectrum and turn it into heat, potentially making evaporation in desalination plants up to 2.5-times quicker.
Supply chains ‘significantly impacted’ by post-Brexit red tape
Process Engineering
Manufacturer’s organisation Make UK has urged the government to ‘urgently’ address border delays and ‘red tape’ restrictions, after a survey revealed 60% of companies reported disruption after the end of the transition period on 1 January.
World’s first hydrogen double-deckers start operating
Professional Engineering
The world’s first double-decker hydrogen buses have started transporting passengers after entering service in Aberdeen. The 15 zero-emission vehicles were manufactured by Wrightbus, while the hydrogen fuel systems were designed, manufactured and supplied by Luxfer. The vehicles include regenerative braking systems to provide an extra boost to acceleration, and offer a range of about 350km (217 miles).
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Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.