engineering and technology in society

29 Aug 23

‘Technical issue’ causes travel chaos across UK airports

Civil, Structural & Architecture, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

The UK’s National Air Traffic Services (NATS) said the technical fault was “identified and remedied” on Monday evening, but “significant disruptions” are set to continue over the next few days as airlines work to clear the flight backlog. The technical problem was revealed at 12.15pm on Monday, causing staff to…

04 Aug 23

Cornwall tests lifesaving drone service

Electrical, Electronics & Instrumentation

The drone service is is being tested at Crantock Beach in Newquay, Cornwall, as part of an operational lifeguard service. The trial is being carried out by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) and the RNLI, with drones developed by Eagle Eye Innovations (EEI). The drones, manufactured by…

19 Jul 23

Renewable projects could boost support with local community finance – report

Electrical, Electronics & Instrumentation, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

According to a report from Onward, renewables typically have the public’s backing, even among rural voters who are most likely to see new projects near them. A total of 57 per cent of rural voters would support an onshore wind farm three miles from their home, while just 17 per…

14 Jul 23

Building 300,000 homes per year is ‘impossible’, MPs told

Geotechnical & Environmental

While the government is on track to deliver one million new homes throughout the current Parliament, it is not forecast to deliver 300,000 net new homes per year by the mid-2020s, MPs have been told. The findings are part of a new report published by the Levelling Up, Housing and…

29 Jun 23

Air taxis ready for take off in Canada with public support, survey says

Civil, Structural & Architecture, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

A nationwide study by Horizon Aircraft, a Canadian-based company specialising in hybrid electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aerial vehicles found that 73 per cent of Canadians support the development of the air taxi and eVTOL industry. Nearly four out of five (78 per cent) would be happy to fly…

28 Jun 23

‘Walking’ through lost neighbourhoods possible with 3D digital maps

Geotechnical & Environmental

By turning old maps into 3D digital models of lost neighbourhoods, the researchers aim to drive forward urban research and provide users with a view of the cities of the past. The programme would allow people to use a virtual reality headset to “walk” through long-gone neighbourhoods – seeing the…

22 Jun 23

New Oyster card released to mark 20th anniversary

Civil, Structural & Architecture, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

Transport for London (TfL) said the limited edition cards - which display the message, “20 years shaping life in London” – are available from all Tube stations in Zone 1, as well as visitor centres and selected Oyster ticket stops. The launch of the Oyster card on 30 June 2003…

22 Jun 23

Campaigners lose High Court challenge against Sizewell C nuclear plant approval

Electrical, Electronics & Instrumentation, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

Protest group Together Against Sizewell C launched a bid to challenge development consent granted for the multi-billion-pound project in Suffolk by then business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng in July 2022. At a hearing in March this year, lawyers for the group of local residents argued the government failed to assess possible…

20 Jun 23

Insulating British homes would deliver £39bn boost by 2030

Geotechnical & Environmental

The large-scale drive would also save the NHS £2bn and cut new cases of childhood asthma by 650,000, whilst also creating an economic and social boost for regions with the most inefficient housing, the charity said. It said public and private investment in an “urgent” programme of retrofitting would tackle…

16 Jun 23

Transforming vibrations into electricity could facilitate self-powered IoT sensors

Electrical, Electronics & Instrumentation

The new energy-generating device was made by combining piezoelectric composites with carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP), a commonly used material that is both light and strong. This composition allows it to transform vibrations from the surrounding environment into electricity. "Everyday items, from fridges to street lamps, are connected to the internet…