• The UK’s most powerful supercomputer, Isambard-AI, officially goes live

    The UK’s fastest and most powerful supercomputer officially starts operations at the University of Bristol’s National Composites Centre (NCC). Supercomputers are seen as fundamental to unleashing the full potential of AI applications, such as training large language models at scale. They will enable researchers and scientists to solve extremely complex challenges that involve huge datasets and billions or even trillions of calculations to bring about advances in healthcare, robotics and climate research. UK research can now take advantage of this supercomputing capability as the UK’s fastest and most powerful supercomputer – Isambard-AI at the NCC – has officially come online. Isambard-AI, currently in phase 1, is the result of a £225m investment from the UK government last autumn. The…

  • Riding the population curves

    Is population spiralling out of control, or is growth levelling off? Either way, do we have the resources to maintain the human race? We can breathe a sigh of relief that as 2022 arrived we weren’t reduced to converting the dead to tasty Soylent Green. When filmed in the early 1970s, the writers who penned the line “Soylent Green is people” doubtless considered half a century far enough away to make audiences believe the world could react to overcrowding and overstretched resources by recycling the elderly into food. Science-fiction writers of the late 1960s seemed obsessed with population growth in novels like Harry Harrison’s Make Room! Make Room! – on which Soylent Green was based – and Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner. They were inspired by scientists’ concerns about the pace of population…

  • New testing facility in Blyth to accelerate the development of next-gen super wind turbines

    An advanced wind turbine test facility will be built in Blyth, Northumberland, as part of an £86m investment by the UK government in wind power R&D facilities. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced a £86m investment in an advanced wind turbine blade and drive train testing facility based at the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult’s National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth, Northumberland. This new facility will test, validate and certify wind turbines, including the largest 150-metre ‘super’ blades. To put that in perspective, 150 metres is three times the wingspan of the Angel of the North. There is also potential for the facility to be expanded further as the existing 100-metre blade test facility can be repurposed to increase capacity. The investment will also go…

  • Apollo and Intel in talks to finance $11bn chipmaking plant in Ireland

    Investment firm Apollo Global is reportedly in talks with Intel to finance the expansion of the chip giant’s operations in Kildare, Ireland. Everything digital needs semiconductors, and even more so with the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. As such, tech companies and governments are scrambling over themselves to invest in chip manufacturing. This has resulted in fierce rivalry between tech companies designing the chips, including Nvidia and Intel, as well as the those building them, including TSMC and Samsung. In a bid to regain leadership in the sector, US-based Intel is overhauling its manufacturing operations to build chips for competitors. As such, various investments have been made in fabrication plants based in Western Europe and North America in a…

  • Construction starts on £350m subsea cable factory in the Scottish Highlands

    As ground is broken on Sumitomo Electric’s new £350m subsea cable manufacturing plant in the Scottish Highlands, it has also been announced that the Japanese company is the preferred bidder for the new Shetland 2 undersea cable. Based at Port of Nigg on the Cromarty Firth, the facility will include a 57,500m2 purpose-built factory for high-voltage cables, long-term site leasing in the area and investments in machinery and equipment. Subsea cables are seen as key infrastructure to enable the energy transition to renewables, and as offshore wind projects ramp up in the North Sea they are in increasing in demand. This facility will help reduce lead times for these cables while also boosting Scotland’s renewable energy supply chain and supporting hundreds of jobs in the region. At a ground…

  • Avocado harvests face major declines as climate change hits growing regions

    The world’s best regions for growing avocados are being threatened by climate change, which could lead to a major decline in harvests by 2050, a report has found. According to Christian Aid, harvests could fall between 14% and 41% in major avocado growing regions like Mexico and Burundi. Mexico is the world’s biggest producer, and could see its potential growing area reduced by 31% by 2050, even if global average temperature rise was limited to under 2°C. It could even be reduced by as much as 43% if global average temperature rises towards 5°C. Michoacán, Mexico’s key avocado growing region, is expected to be particularly affected, with a potential reduction in its growing area of 59% by 2050. The superfood has long been is known for its impact on the environment due to its need for…

  • Apple and Google agree on standard to prevent location trackers being used for stalking

    Apple and Google have teamed up to develop a standard for detecting unwanted location trackers in an effort to prevent the devices from being used for stalking. Apple’s AirTags were launched in 2019 as a way to track devices and bags should they get lost or stolen. Google recently announced it was launching its own network with a similar function that would work across Android phones. But Apple’s implementation of the technology quickly raised several privacy issues from the ability to track a user’s exact location without them being notified. On several occasions AirTags were used for stalking purposes, prompting criticism that the company had not done its due diligence before rolling out the new network. The two firms have now developed a standard that will make it possible to alert…

  • Analysis of the highest-paying tech jobs reveals a demand for AI skills

    New specialist AI roles are on the rise and workers who possess AI skills are dominating the highest-paying UK IT jobs, according to research. New analysis by Thomson Reuters, a global content and technology company, has revealed that 97% of IT jobs in the UK that pay over £100,000 now require AI skills as a core requirement of the role. The company analysed over 5,300 live tech jobs advertised in April 2024 and found that over 73% (593 out of 817) of the top 15% highest-paid vacancies required AI skills. This requirement for AI skills was either explicitly included in the job title itself – for example, director of artificial intelligence and products, generative AI solutions architect and machine learning engineer – or within the role’s primary requirements.Having AI skills also means…

  • UK granted access to European supercomputer research funding

    The UK has joined the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC), which not only allows the UK access to Europe’s cutting-edge supercomputing facilities, but also funding through the Horizon Europe-funded portion of the EuroHPC. At the end of last year, after a three-year hiatus, the UK rejoined Europe’s flagship research and development fund Horizon Europe. Under the agreement reached between London and Brussels, the UK will become an associate member of the €95bn (£81bn) Horizon Europe programme. The news was welcomed by the UK’s R&D sector as it means access to grants under the scheme and opportunities for international collaboration. In another boost to UK research, it has now been announced that the UK has joined the EuroHPC. This means that the UK has access…

    E+T Magazine
    E+T Magazine

  • Jam-resistant quantum navigation tech takes flight for the first time

    Advanced quantum-based navigation systems that cannot be jammed or spoofed by hostile actors have successfully flown for the first time in commercial flight trials. Planes rely on satellite-based GPS (global positioning systems) for positioning, navigation and timing (PNT). GPS jamming occurs when a frequency transmitting device is used to block or interfere with radio communications that are stronger than the satellite-based GPS signals. Just last month it was reported that since August 2023 thousands of flights to and from Europe had been affected by suspected Russian jamming of GPS systems. While GPS jamming or spoofing GPS signals is relatively rare and does not directly impact an aircraft’s flight path, it has the potential to disrupt critical economic, defence and strategic activities…

  • How advancements in electric motor technology are bringing IE5 efficiency to more applications

    Electric motors account for around 60 percent of the electricity demand in the UK industry. New developments in the evolution of the synchronous reluctance motor are helping to open up new types of application for use with IE5 motors, as ABB’s Richard Gee, UK Sales Manager, explains. The synchronous reluctance motor (SynRM) is one of the most efficient motors on the market. Compared to an equivalent IE2 motor, a SynRM achieves 50 percent lower losses, significantly reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions. ABB’s latest generation SynRM is capable of achieving up to IE5 efficiency levels, which as recently as a decade ago were widely considered to be purely theoretical. SynRM and drive packages achieve their high efficiency levels through the use of a specially designed cageless rotor…

    E+T Magazine
    E+T Magazine

  • Tearing down the PlayStation 5 Slim

    Sony released a new version of its wildly popular PlayStation 5 console late last year, which promises to shave off a few grams while reducing its TV cabinet footprint. The original was a bulky beast of a console, even compared with Microsoft’s chunky Xbox Series X, and received a fair amount of criticism for looking more like a router than a gaming machine. The PlayStation 5 Slim goes some way to addressing the issue while maintaining the aesthetics of the original. It is about 30% smaller and up to 24% lighter than the 2020 model, and now includes the option of a removable disc drive, which allows the footprint to be reduced even further. When taking the revised console apart, Sam Goldheart at iFixit noted that it is “built to be opened”. The side panels are all removable by the consumer…

    E+T Magazine
    E+T Magazine

  • Researchers identify effective method of upcycling PET to combat plastic pollution

    Researchers in China have published a review that identifies innovative biotic and abiotic recycling and upcycling methods for PET plastic. The invention of plastics, particularly polyethylene terephthalate (PET), in the 20th century marked a significant technological milestone. Being lightweight, flexible and highly durable, this material could be used for a whole host of applications, from single-use plastic bottles and packaging to clothing and carpets. So popular was plastic that since the 1950s its production has ramped up. Scientists estimate that around 450 million tonnes of plastics are produced every year. However, this large-scale production has led to large-scale plastic pollution as its durability means it is resistant to natural degradation. While over 175 countries have…

  • North Sea oil and gas operators must keep on track with emission cuts, says industry regulator

    As the sector transitions to net zero by 2050, UK North Sea oil and gas operators must focus on initiatives to cut emissions from their production activities, says North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA). Yesterday, the authority held its annual performance review of the 20 oil and gas operators in the North Sea. Oil and gas meet around three-quarters of the UK’s energy needs and, even as demand declines as renewables increase, the UK is expected to remain a net importer until 2050. While oil and gas are expected to remain part of the energy mix for decades as the sector transitions, NSTA works at ensuring targets to cut emissions are kept while meeting the UK’s energy security. Stuart Payne, NSTA chief executive, said: “While the argument for continued domestic production is strong,…

  • New plant lab will help scientists optimise crops for ‘tomorrow’s atmosphere today’

    A unique £3m facility at the University of Essex will help scientists optimise plant performance and increase their resilience as our climate changes. The University of Essex has announced a new flagship Smart Technology Experimental Plant Suite (STEPS). This facility will feature a commercial standard vertical farm unit installed by the Innovation Agritech Group, an indoor field that replicates real-world environments and suites in which CO2 concentration and temperature levels can be raised to imitate a warming planet. As our planet warms, conditions will get hotter and drier and the risks of flooding will increase, all of which will negatively impact agricultural yields. Using this facility, scientists will build on the university’s extensive research into plant productivity, photosynthetic…

  • CHIPS Act to triple US semiconductor production by 2032, report finds

    The US will triple its domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity between 2022 and 2032 following the introduction of the CHIPS and Science Act, according to a report. CHIPS (Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors) was signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022 and authorises roughly $280bn of new funding to boost domestic research and manufacturing of semiconductors. The aim of the bill was to strengthen the supply chain and help the US compete against China and Taiwan, the largest producers in the sector. According to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), CHIPS will see the US will grow its share of advanced logic semiconductors (below 10nm) manufacturing to 28% of global capacity by 2032, up from 0% in 2022. China, on the other hand, is expected to produce…

  • As the Thames Barrier reaches 40, officials say it will need adaptations for rising sea levels

    As the Thames Barrier reaches its fortieth anniversary, officials have said it will need upgrades in the future to cope with rising sea levels and extreme weather caused by climate change. The structure – which has been operational since 1982 but was officially opened on 8 May 1984 – helps to protect areas of London lying in the floodplain from high tides and storm surges moving up from the North Sea. Discussions into building some form of enhanced flood protection along the Thames were spurred by the North Sea flood of 1953, which killed over 2,500 people across four countries. In its 40-year history, the barrier has closed 221 times for flood defence purposes, but a plan dubbed Thames Estuary 2100 is currently fielding options to extend its lifespan to the end of the century. At the…

    E+T Magazine
    E+T Magazine

  • Australia will ramp up production and use of gas until ‘2050 and beyond’

    A new policy published by the Australian government promises to prolong the production and use of natural gas throughout the transition to net zero emissions by 2050. The Australian government has released the Future Gas Strategy, a long-term framework that maps the country’s plan for gas production and consumption, and how this fossil fuel will support the country’s transition to net zero by 2050. Australia is one of the world’s largest exporters of liquefied natural gas. While it currently accounts for 27% of the country’s existing energy needs, the bulk of it is exported to countries such as China, Japan and South Korea. The strategy outlines Australia’s commitment to supporting global emissions reductions to reach net zero emissions by 2050. But to do this gas production and exploration…

  • Space tech innovation boosted by £1.8m funding

    New funding from the UK Space Agency (UKSA) is backing nine projects with promising technologies to support space capabilities. The UKSA launched its £8.6m Enabling Technologies Programme (ETP) in 2022, in partnership with UK Research and Innovation’s Science and Technology Facilities Council. The programme aims to boost British organisations researching and developing new and emerging space technologies to help grow the UK space sector. “For almost two years, our ETP has been empowering scientists and engineers in universities, companies and research institutes to advance the technologies of tomorrow, demonstrating the UKSA’s commitment to harnessing the power of space to improve life for everybody,” said Paul Bate, UKSA chief executive. ETP funding has been divided across nine projects…

  • Renewable energy responsible for 30% of the world’s electricity supply in 2023

    A new report has found that for the first time 30% of electricity produced worldwide came from renewable energy sources, predominantly solar and wind. UK climate think tank Ember has published a report – Global Electricity Review 2024 – that analysed electricity data from 215 countries, as well as examining data from the highest carbon emitting countries and regions of the world. It finds that renewables generated a record 30% of global electricity in 2023. From the analysis, 2023 saw a 23% growth in solar generation, 10% growth in wind generation and only a 0.8% growth in fossil generation. “The renewables future has arrived. Solar, in particular, is accelerating faster than anyone thought possible,” said Dave Jones, Ember’s director of global insights. This surge in renewables has…

  • Ofcom sets out safety proposals to ensure tech firms keep children safe online

    Communications regulator Ofcom has laid out practical steps for tech firms to ensure children are better protected online under the Online Safety Act (OSA). Ofcom announced in April that it was preparing to launch a consultation on its draft children’s safety code of practice, under the OSA. This consultation opened today with measures that, according to Ofcom, will deliver a step-change in online safety for children in the UK. “Once these measures are in force we won’t hesitate to use our full range of enforcement powers to hold tech firms to account. That’s a promise we make to children and parents today,” said Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom chief executive. The consultation follows the results of Ofcom’s annual study published in April, which revealed the extent to which young children…

  • Microsoft signs carbon capture deal using controversial technology

    Microsoft has signed a deal with energy firm Stockholm Exergi to help it meet its ambitions to become a net zero carbon company by 2030 by absorbing emissions from biomass power plants. The deal will see some 3.33 million tonnes of permanent carbon removals from bio-energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) at a plant in Värtan, Stockholm. But scientists have previously expressed doubt that this method of carbon removal is an efficient way to reduce global emissions. A 2018 letter to the European Parliament signed by nearly 800 scientists said that “cutting down trees for bioenergy releases carbon that would otherwise stay locked up in forests, and diverting wood otherwise used for wood products will cause more cutting elsewhere to replace them”. It called on the body to restrict…

  • Boeing’s Starliner crewed space launch postponed for safety check

    The launch of Boeing’s Starliner, which was heading for the International Space Station (ISS), was called off two hours before lift-off because of a problem with the spacecraft’s rocket. The CST-100 Starliner was scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral in Florida yesterday (6 May), in its first crewed test flight. The two Nasa astronauts – Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams – were heading to the ISS, where the Starliner would dock for around 10 days before returning to Earth. The two astronauts were in position ready for blast-off, but the decision was taken to halt the flight because of a potential issue with an oxygen relief valve in the Atlas rocket, which sits beneath the Starliner. According to the BBC, flight engineers discovered that the valve in the Atlas rocket, which is run…

  • UK start-up Wayve secures over $1bn to further progress its AI tech for self-driving vehicles

    Substantial investment in artificial intelligence (AI) start-up Wayve marks Europe’s largest AI funding deal to date and “anchors the UK’s position as an AI superpower”. The $1.05bn funding round, which includes investment from SoftBank Group as well as Nvidia and Microsoft, will enable the British company Wayve to develop and launch the first “embodied AI” technology for self-driving vehicles in the UK. The start-up, which has previously received funding from big name investors including Microsoft, Virgin and Baillie Gifford, was founded in 2017 with the aim of reimagining mobility through embodied intelligence. This embodied AI system, called AV2.0, allows vehicles to learn while driving in real-world environments, avoiding the need for mapping and laser-based sensors. As Wayve’s…

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