ENGGtalks Newsroom

04 Sep 23

Ship begins laying 440km cable to link world’s largest offshore wind farm to UK energy grid

Electrical, Electronics & Instrumentation, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

The 1.4GW Sofia offshore wind farm is being built by energy firm RWE and, once complete, will be one of the world’s largest single offshore wind farms. Expected to be operational in 2026, Sofia forms part of the Dogger Bank wind farm project that will boast a combined energy output…

04 Sep 23

This Neural Net Maps Molecules to Aromas

Electrical, Electronics & Instrumentation, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

Sensory sciences have come a long way in explaining how some physical phenomena—a particular wavelength of light, for example, or a column of air vibrating at a set frequency—correspond to a typical perceptual experience. The sense of smell, however, has proven elusive. Until recently, there was simply no way to…

04 Sep 23

Sweden’s Scania unveils world’s first semi-truck covered in solar panels

Computer & Information Technology

Late last week, Sweden’s Scania revealed a world-first hybrid semi-truck covered in solar panels. Because of its self-produced energy, the unique prototype has the potential to reduce both operational costs and CO2 emissions of heavy transport. The hybrid truck’s trailer is covered in 100 square metres of solar panels that are…

04 Sep 23

Dog-like robot maps out radioactive area at the UK’s Dounreay nuclear plant

Computer & Information Technology

As part of the UK’s decommissioning efforts of the Dounreay nuclear site in Scotland, a dog-like robot has mapped out a radioactive section that’s been sealed off for 25 years. Developed by Boston Dynamics, the quadruple robotic device, called “Spot,” is described as a “mobile agile robot.” Thanks to its…

04 Sep 23

Onshore wind farm ban set to be overturned

Electrical, Electronics & Instrumentation, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

The UK government is reportedly set to change the laws that ban the construction of new onshore wind farms as a result of internal party pressures. The rule changes follow the proposal of an amendment to the Energy Bill – set to be voted on by the government on Tuesday…

04 Sep 23

How offshore wind-to-hydrogen could help fill Europe’s clean energy demand

Computer & Information Technology

Hydrogen is being hailed as, if not a silver bullet, then at least a crucial component to decarbonising the world’s energy sources. And no wonder — when burned, hydrogen produces zero greenhouse gas emissions. However, the transition to a renewable hydrogen economy must first overcome a non-insignificant list of challenges. …

04 Sep 23

What 4 sustainability startups learned from our first circular economy accelerator

Computer & Information Technology

Eleven teams from APAC and North America have graduated from Google’s first accelerator program for circular economy startups.

04 Sep 23

Groningen’s formula for startup success: fostering university spin-offs

Computer & Information Technology

Although academic researchers have the knowledge and skills to develop potentially life changing products for patients, they often face unique challenges compared to other founders. Lengthy and expensive R&D costs often make VCs hesitant to invest. While spinoff founders are experts in their field, they often lack the necessary skills…

03 Sep 23

Cracking the Puzzle of Serpentine Motion

Electrical, Electronics & Instrumentation, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

The counterintuitive and sinewy motions of snakes, stingrays, and skydivers represent a strange kind of motion that is notoriously hard to simulate, animate, or anticipate. All three types of locomotion—through sand, sea, and air—represent movement that relies on neither wings nor limbs but rather subtle and sometimes sudden changes of…

02 Sep 23

The USAF Pairs Piloted Jets With AI Drones

Electrical, Electronics & Instrumentation, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

Early chess computers were better than grandmasters at calculation but worse in judgement, and so the idea arose to pair them to get the best of both worlds. It worked, but not for long: Computers finally got too good to need human advice.Are we now at that sweet spot in…