Engineering news
Forward-thinking inventor Sir Clive Sinclair dies
The Guardian
Sir Clive Sinclair, inventor of devices including the pocket calculator and the pioneering C5 electric vehicle, has died aged 81. Other inventions included the ZX80 home computer, which ‘revolutionised’ the market.
Future Skills week explores engineering approaches needed for tomorrow’s challenges
Professional Engineering
The global challenges of tomorrow will be solved by engineers – but what skills will they need to tackle them? We set out to answer that question with Future Skills week, an exploration of the techniques, approaches and mindsets that engineers should adopt to stay ahead in the field.
From Tuesday, here’s why programming is important for mechanical engineering students – even if they won’t be doing it after graduating.
Largest carbon capture plant switched on
The Engineer
The world’s largest carbon capture plant has been switched on in Iceland. Developed by Swiss firm Climeworks, the ‘direct air capture’ facility could capture up to 4,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.
UK start-up plans flying taxi airports
E&T
UK start-up Urban-Air Port and Hyundai have partnered to develop 65 small airports aimed at enabling flights by flying taxis. The start-up said it will open the world’s first urban airport in Coventry next year, and it hopes to build 200 around the world in the next five years.
UK leads the way in global floating wind energy boom
Professional Engineering
The UK is leading the way in a global charge for floating offshore wind energy projects, new research has found. Planned floating wind farms would generate 8.8GW of power for the UK, according to the research by RenewableUK. The trade organisation found the total global ‘pipeline’ stands at over 54GW, if all of those planned are built.
Astronaut blood could build lunar or Martian bases
E&T
Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed a new construction material that could be made using space dust and waste body fluid from astronauts. A common protein in human blood could act as a binder for the concrete-like material.
Earthbound ExoMars rover drills beneath the surface
The Engineer
An identical ‘twin’ of the Mars-bound Rosalind Franklin ExoMars rover has drilled 1.7m below a simulated Martian surface. The test went deeper than any rover has managed on Mars, where the deepest previous samples are from 7cm down.
Lessons from tragic rail accident could reduce risks of earthwork failures
Professional Engineering
Lessons from investigations into the fatal derailment of a train in Carmont, Scotland, last year could help significantly reduce the risks of further earthwork failures.
Unmanned Boeing aircraft refuels F-35 in-flight
Aerospace Manufacturing
Boeing’s unmanned MQ-25 T1 test aircraft has refuelled an F-35C fighter jet in-flight. The capability could provide operational flexibility, the US Navy said.
Automotive carbon emissions drop during pandemic
The Engineer
The ‘fleet average carbon emissions’ from UK automotive fell by 11.8% in 2020, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
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Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.