The IET is carrying out some important updates between 17-30 April and all of our websites will be view only. For more information, read this Announcement

Latest Insights from the EngX Community

  • From Fire Beacons to 5G: The Evolution of Telecom Infrastructure

    From Fire Beacons to 5G: The Evolution of Telecom Infrastructure

    On a crisp spring day at Savoy Place in London, enthusiasts and professionals from the telecommunications industry gathered to hear Professor Nigel Linge from Salford University. deliver a captivating presentation on the often-overlooked yet vital structures that form the backbone of our communication networks: telecom towers, masts, and poles. Organised by volunteers from the IET London Friday Lunch Lecture committee, the event began with a warm welcome from the host, Roger Ward, who introduced Professor Linge as a distinguished figure in the field of telecommunications. "Nigel is an electronic engineer by profession," he noted, highlighting his extensive research interests, including 5G mobile location services, communication protocols, and network design. Professor Linge's passion for…

  • How Apple killed innovation in the smartphone industry

    How Apple killed innovation in the smartphone industry

    In the world of smartphones, Apple is a name that resonates with innovation, sleek design, and cutting-edge technology. However, a closer look at the industry reveals a different story—one where Apple's dominance may have stifled innovation rather than fostered it. The IET London Friday Lunch Lectures recently hosted Simon Rockman who delved into the history of smartphones, the impact of Apple's iPhone, and the current state of innovation in the industry. The Pre-iPhone Era: A Hotbed of Innovation Before the iPhone's debut in 2007, the smartphone market was a vibrant landscape of diverse designs and functionalities. Companies like Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, and Samsung were at the forefront, each bringing unique features to their devices. The Nokia E90 Communicator, Sony Ericsson…

  • A technology with real star power

    A technology with real star power

    Stephen Phillips Nuclear fusion is one of the most exciting technologies in energy production, but it has not proved easy to realise - a state of affairs that is changing. While it is still challenging to get right, there has been progress in recent years - driven by the determination of governments (via the UK Atomic Energy Authority in the UK) and commercial startups to unlock its potential. By dawn’s first light To bring us up to speed on these developments, the IET is hosting two events in the coming week. On Tuesday, March 25, 2025 , our Nuclear Technical Network will host an online seminar : 'First Light Fusion's amplifier scheme for IFE: an overview of our capabilities and facilities.' First Light's idea is to fire a metal projectile with a velocity of tens of kilometres per…

Latest IET EngX News

  • Wrapping up our Celebration of Engineers!

    Wrapping up our Celebration of Engineers!

    Throughout this week, we’ve had the privilege of sharing the inspiring stories of IET Award winners, showcasing their groundbreaking projects, and highlighting the profound impact of their work. Their dedication, creativity, and perseverance serve as a testament to the transformative power of engineering. Let’s look back on the highlights of this celebratory week: Insights from the Community Finalists and winners of the IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards shared their stories in our Community Insights blog. We heard from Finalists Salma Al Arefi and Erin Lowe in This engineer wants to educate future engineers and Engineering high hopes for the future and learnt more about Mary George Memorial Prize winner Alexia Williams in Engines airplanes and engineering drive this apprentice…

    Lisa Miles
  • Celebrating a Year of Growth and Engagement in the EngX Community

    Celebrating a Year of Growth and Engagement in the EngX Community

    As we wrap up another incredible year, it’s time to reflect on the remarkable growth and achievements within the EngX community. This year has been nothing short of extraordinary, and we have some impressive numbers to share that highlight our collective efforts and engagement. Welcoming New Members This year, we welcomed 3,735 new members to the EngX community. Each new member brings unique perspectives, skills, and enthusiasm, enriching our collective experience. It’s heartening to see our community grow and thrive with such vibrant participation. Content Creation on the Rise Our community’s creativity and knowledge-sharing have reached new heights, with 10,306 new pieces of content created this year. From insightful blog articles to engaging discussions and innovative projects, the…

    Lisa Miles
  • Celebrating Engineers: The innovators shaping our future

    Celebrating Engineers: The innovators shaping our future

    In a world driven by innovation and technological advancements, engineers stand at the forefront, shaping the future with their groundbreaking work. This week on EngX we’re celebrating the remarkable engineers who have been nominated for and presented with IET Awards. These awards recognise the dedication, creativity, and impact of individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of engineering. From pioneering sustainable energy solutions to developing cutting-edge technologies, these award-winning engineers exemplify the spirit of innovation and excellence. Join us as we delve into their inspiring stories, explore their groundbreaking projects, and celebrate their invaluable contributions to society. Throughout the week, we will highlight their achievements, share their…

Latest Partner News

  • River Thames to help power University of East London net zero campus of the future

    River Thames to help power University of East London net zero campus of the future

    The University of East London (UEL) is extending its strategic partnership with global technology company Siemens in a contract that will see the business design and install a Water Source Heat Pump (WSHP) to help power its net zero campus of the future. The new WSHP is set to be the largest fitted at any university and will power the university’s Docklands Campus Library and Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability buildings, replacing existing gas boilers – and together with campus existing green energy infrastructure, achieve carbon zero in these spaces. Submerged in the River Thames, the closed-loop system will use a series of pipes to extract natural heat from the water in the Royal Albert Docks, providing a cost-effective heating system which will reduce annual CO2 emissions by 258 tonnes…

  • Empowering the Next Generation: How Apprenticeships Can Transform the Engineering Profession

    Empowering the Next Generation: How Apprenticeships Can Transform the Engineering Profession

    By Kate Grant CEng MIGEM, Director of Asset Operation at National Grid Electricity Transmission In the several years that I have worked as an engineer, the profession has consistently faced what at times feels like an existential question about what can be done to develop a skills pipeline that can meet demand. This question has seemed most acute for the country’s energy sector, where the UK’s ambitious targets around transitioning to a low carbon economy will require the sector to both recruit and train for thousands of new roles over the coming years. Discussions about addressing skills gaps facing the profession often focus on how STEM education can be improved in schools and how to encourage more young people to pursue engineering degrees at university. However, the role of apprenticeships…

  • Award-winning engineer spotlights the importance of apprenticeships

    Award-winning engineer spotlights the importance of apprenticeships

    This National Apprenticeship week (10-16 February) a University of Sunderland apprentice continues to shine a light on the importance of apprenticeships for kickstarting a career. Since starting a Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeship at Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK in Sunderland, Ross Merryweather has seen his career go from strength to strength. Now Ross has taken an extra step and is studying on a degree apprenticeship in Manufacturing Engineering at the University whilst continuing to work at Nissan. Ross said: “My apprenticeship journey working as a Quality Engineer at Nissan Sunderland Plant whilst studying engineering at the University has been incredibly rewarding and valuable. “The whole experience has been absolutely fantastic. I’ve been in two different departments now and…

Latest articles from E+T Magazine

  • Amazon’s space-based broadband service to launch its first satellites next week

    Amazon’s space-based broadband service to launch its first satellites next week

    Amazon’s Project Kuiper, the space-based broadband service that will compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink, is planning to launch its first batch of satellites next week. The project, which has been in development since 2019, has been approved to deploy a constellation of 3,236 satellites into low-Earth orbit by the US Federal Communications Commission, although it has only launched two prototype satellites to date. Next week, a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket will take off from a Florida launchpad to deploy 27 satellites at an altitude of 450km above Earth. The satellite payload will be the heaviest that the Atlas V rocket has ever flown. Amazon said that once the full constellation is in orbit, Project Kuiper will deliver high-speed, low-latency internet to virtually any location…

  • Millimetre-sized injectable pacemaker could revolutionise heart surgery

    Millimetre-sized injectable pacemaker could revolutionise heart surgery

    Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a tiny pacemaker that is injected into the body, controlled using light shone through the skin, and dissolves when no longer needed. Temporary pacemakers are often required after heart surgery while the patient waits for a permanent pacemaker or to help restore the heart’s rhythm. Implanting these devices requires invasive procedures, with wires protruding from the body. Potential complications include infection, dislodgement, torn or damaged tissues, bleeding and blood clots. Researchers at Northwestern in Illinois, US, had previously developed a quarter-sized (24mm) dissolvable electronic device for temporary pacing that eliminated the need for bulky batteries and wires. While it proved promising in pre-clinical animal studies…

  • Plastic packaging waste transformed into high-quality 3D printed products

    Plastic packaging waste transformed into high-quality 3D printed products

    Researchers in Germany have created a method to transform plastic packaging waste into high-quality 3D printed products. Single-use or throwaway plastic packaging is a major environmental hazard. This not only in terms of how it is produced – most are based on crude oil – but also what happens once they are disposed of, as most are not recycled. In Germany alone, 5.6 million metric tons of plastic packaging winds up in household waste each year. Currently, less than a third of it can be recycled. Working in partnership with Hochschule Bremen – City University of Applied Sciences (HSB), the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM) aims to recycle post-consumer plastic waste into filaments that can be used to make high-quality 3D-printed products.…