Engineering news
UK sets sights on nuclear rocket
Professional Engineering
Nuclear propulsion could transport astronauts to Mars in just three months, roughly twice as quickly as the current fastest method. Such an improvement makes the technology highly promising, so the UK Space Agency has announced a new collaboration with Rolls-Royce to study how nuclear power and technologies could be used for space exploration. The research contract will explore nuclear power as a more plentiful source of energy, capable of travelling further out into deep space in the decades to come.
CES 2021 round-up
Interesting Engineering
CES, the annual celebration of the latest cutting-edge technology, was held this week. Moved online from its usual home of Las Vegas, the show nonetheless had a huge raft of exciting products, from ‘smart’ masks to roll-out phones and a $3,000 pet door. Interesting Engineering had a round-up of some of the must-see tech.
Hybrid aircraft concept ‘could prevent many premature deaths’
Professional Engineering
A new hybrid-electric aircraft concept from MIT engineers could reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 95% and help prevent 92% of associated premature deaths, the researchers said. The concept places the gas turbine within the hold, driving a generator to power wing-mounted fans or propellers. Emissions from the turbine would be fed through an emissions control system.
GM unveils flying Cadillac
E&T
General Motors has unveiled an autonomous flying Cadillac. The concept, revealed at CES, features four pairs of rotors, a 90kW motor, and a top speed of about 88km/h.
Skyrora completes ‘full mission’ static test of British-built rocket
Professional Engineering
The upper stage of a British-built orbital rocket has successfully undergone a full static fire test, burning for the full duration of a potential launch. Edinburgh firm Skyrora said the test of its XL craft involved a fully-integrated set-up of the engine, feed systems, avionics and software.
Carbon dioxide converted to fuel in efficient new process
Professional Engineering
A new process has boosted the efficiency of carbon dioxide-to-ethylene conversion, providing a promising route for repurposing excess amounts of the greenhouse gas. Led by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign chemistry professor Andrew Gewirth and graduate student Xinyi (Stephanie) Chen, researchers introduced an electrochemical reaction enhanced by polymers to improve efficiency.
Rolls-Royce starts using world’s largest engine testbed
The Engineer
Rolls-Royce has unveiled the world’s largest engine testbed, a £90m facility in Derby covering an area larger than a football pitch. Designed to test current and future engines, Testbed 80 collects data from more than 10,000 different engine parameters.
Nickel batteries to keep wind farm operating at -35ºC
Professional Engineering
A wind farm in the remote and exposed steppe of the Aktobe region in western Kazakhstan will keep operating in temperatures as low as -35ºC thanks to a new nickel battery system, its manufacturer has claimed. International firm Saft delivered the ‘maintenance-free’ Uptimax batteries to the Badamsha wind farm. The batteries will provide essential back-up power for electronic monitoring, mechanical braking, pitch control and grease supply systems for the remote turbines.
Design work begins on Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro
Professional Engineering
Three companies have been selected to develop ‘bold, innovative conceptual designs’ for the new Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro. Dromos Technologies from Munich, international group Egis and Croydon-headquartered Mott MacDonald will cover aspects including the vehicle and infrastructure required for the new line, which will travel through Cambridge city centre and link to surrounding towns and villages.
Millbrook announces 5G network upgrade
Professional Engineering
Automotive testing specialist Millbrook has announced a “major” upgrade to a 5G network used for the development of connected and autonomous vehicles. Dense Air will upgrade the 5G ‘testbed’ at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, which is aimed at developing the mobile data technology and exploring its applications for the automotive sector and beyond.
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Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.