• Flying taxi factory to be built in Brazil

    On the 150th anniversary of the birth of Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos Dumont, Brazilian aeronautics firm Embraer and its subsidiary Eve Air Mobility have announced their plans to build a factory for  "electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft" or eVTOL.  The companies have already received orders for 2,850 eVTOLs worth about $1.5bn (£1.2bn), from 28 clients in several countries, including helicopter operators, airlines and flight-sharing platforms, according to AFP. Artist rending of flying taxi/ Eve Air Mobility Image credit: Eve Air Mobility The aircraft resembles small helicopters - according to designs - with enough space for up to six customers. The vehicles will be 100 per cent electric, allowing for emissions-free travel. Initially

  • India surpasses China in steel-making, but net zero clashes risk stranded assets

    Global coal-based steelmaking capacity increased significantly last year, to 380 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) in 2022 from 350 mtpa in 2021. GEM’s Global Steel Plant Tracker warns that the sector risks as much as $554bn (£430bn) in stranded assets as countries build out coal-based capacity while simultaneously working towards their carbon neutrality commitments. Steel already accounts for 7 per cent of annual global greenhouse gas emissions and demand is set to rise as the material is fundamental to building the energy transition, from wind turbines to electric vehicles, and to infrastructure growth in developing economies. New iron- and steel-making technologies, centred around using low-carbon hydrogen to produce direct reduced iron, have been developed and offer a viable solution…

  • Lords amend Ofcom's powers to scan encrypted messages

    The House of Lords has passed a series of amendments to the Online Safety Bill that aim to impose safeguards to Ofcom's powers to u se “accredited technology” to scan  encrypted messages  for child sexual abuse material.  Companies that provide encrypted messaging services - including Signal, WhatsApp and Apple - have opposed these powers, with some of them stating they would rather leave the UK   than provide a less-secure service to users.  However, the government has maintained the powers are necessary to prevent the distribution of child pornography and protect children from being exposed to harmful content. Government minister Lord Parkinson told peers he acknowledged "the concerns which have been aired about how these powers work with encrypted services" but he said strong safeguards…

  • National Grid to sell off 20 per cent of its gas network to Australian firm

    The sale follows the decision last year to sell off a 60 per cent equity stake in its UK gas transmission and metering business to a consortium which included Macquarie and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation from Canada. The investment takes the Consortium’s total ownership in National Gas to 80 per cent and is on equivalent financial terms to the original 60 per cent acquisition, which was completed in January this year. Final completion of the new deal will not occur until regulatory approval is confirmed, although Macquarie said it anticipates that it will be completed before the end of the year. The Consortium has also entered into a new option agreement with National Grid for the potential acquisition of the remaining 20 per cent shareholding in National Gas. This…

  • Rural bus services continue to decline as urban routes scoop up central funding

    The County Councils Network (CCN), which represents England’s local authorities, has undertaken a comprehensive review of rural bus services. It found that more than one in four routes have vanished over the last decade with passenger numbers dropping to a "historic low". The study concludes that many services in rural areas were already in state of "managed decline" but this trend has accelerated since the pandemic. The Department for Transport introduced its National Bus Strategy in 2021 which included plans to introduce new routes and simplify fares. It also created a requirement for local transport authorities to adopt partnerships with private bus operators or establish a franchising scheme. But the CCN report said that the “much-vaunted” strategy has done little to address the decline…

    E+T Magazine
    E+T Magazine

  • UN officials call for AI regulation during Security Council meeting

    The meeting of the Security Council saw representatives of the 15 member countries listen to AI experts discussing whether AI was a ‘catastrophic risk for humans’ or a ‘historic opportunity’.  The meeting was held in London and chaired by foreign secretary James Cleverly, who said AI “knows no borders” and stressed the urgent “need to shape the global governance of transformative technologies”.  "No country will be untouched by AI, so we must involve and engage the widest coalition of international actors from all sectors," Cleverly said. "Our shared goal will be to consider the risks of AI and decide how they can be reduced through coordinated action." During its session, the chamber heard from Jack Clark, co-founder of leading AI company Anthropic, and professor Zeng Yi, co-director…

  • Renewable projects could boost support with local community finance – report

    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 cent oppose it, the poll showed. Even new grid infrastructure has marginal net support, with 31 per cent in favour and 30 per cent opposing. But small, vocal minorities will always push back against any development. These campaigns are effective at placing pressure on local and national politicians of all parties, and resulted in the effective ban on onshore wind projects in 2016.  According to Onward’s polling, over three quarters of rural voters agreed renewable energy projects should financially contribute in…

  • Jaguar Land Rover-owner to build £4bn battery factory in Somerset

    The Indian conglomerate has confirmed its plans to invest £4bn in the gigafactory, which has been described as “the most important investment in the UK automotive sector since Nissa’s arrival in the 1980s. The project will also receive an unnamed amount of public funding.   The EV battery factory will be located in Somerset, in the south-west of England. It will supply electric car models for the Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar brands, among other Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) cars.  The plant is set to open in 2026, the government has revealed. Once in operation, the site is expected to produce an initial output of 40 gigawatt hours a year, making it one of Europe’s largest battery cell manufacturing sites.  The government - which has been holding secret talks with Tata to secure…

  • Great British Nuclear launched with remit to fund small modular reactors

    The grants follow the creation of Great British Nuclear (GBN), a public body established to help deliver the UK’s nuclear programme with the goal of providing 24GW of nuclear power by 2050. Energy secretary Grant Shapps said the body will help to boost the UK’s energy security and reduce dependence on “volatile” fossil fuel imports. The nuclear industry is estimated to generate around £6bn for the UK economy. Companies can register their interest with GBN to participate in a competition to secure funding support to develop products including small modular reactors (SMR). Unlike conventional reactors that are built on site, SMRs are smaller, can be made in factories and could transform how power stations are built by making construction faster, and less expensive. Hinkley Point C, the…

  • Nasa space laser used to measure rainforest canopies

    An international research team has used the data collected by Nasa’s Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) to improve current understandings of rainforest canopies - the place where the majority of the world’s species live. Launched in 2018, the space laser has provided the first detailed structure of the global rainforests. "Most of the world's species live in tropical forests and most of those make use of the canopy, and yet, we know so little," said Christopher Doughty, professor at the University of Northern Arizona. "Rainforest structure matters because it controls how animals access resources and escape predators, and these findings will help us understand tropical forest animal's susceptibility to climate change." Traditionally, rainforest researchers have divided them…

  • Microsoft signs 10-year deal to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation

    Microsoft and Sony have announced they have reached a licensing agreement that would allow the Call of Duty franchise to remain accessible on PlayStation, ending the battle between the companies that begun with the announcement of Microsoft’s takeover of video game maker Activision.  The agreement is similar to other licensing deals Microsoft has offered to appease regulator’s concerns over the acquisition, such as the one that will also bring Call of Duty to Nintendo until 2033. The deal is solely focused on the franchise - the largest one published by Activision - and does not make a mention of the firm's other products.  “We are pleased to announce that Microsoft and PlayStation have signed a binding agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation following the acquisition of Activision…

  • Half of UK manufacturers using digital technologies to decarbonise, survey finds

    According to a survey from MakeUK, which represents UK manufacturers, 44 per cent said that digitalisation was their best method to make productivity improvements. The digital tools most commonly cited included data analytics, supply chain management and full automation of business processes including finance, human resources, manufacturing and procurement. The research also found that manufacturing businesses are investing in digital technologies more than ever before, with almost a quarter (24 per cent) having already made major investments while a further 23 per cent said they planned to do so. In terms of lowering the carbon footprint of their operations, 62 per cent of those who have adopted digital technologies reported savings in their energy costs. Over half said those savings…

  • Energy grid upgrade costs could be slashed with coordinated software approach

    Demand for electricity is expected to soar as decarbonisation efforts in industry and transport creates greater demand. This has prompted concerns that current infrastructure is not ready for the increased loads, especially considering the demand from a rapid switch towards electric vehicles. Researchers from Stanford University believe that many infrastructure upgrades may be unnecessary if proper software solutions are utilised instead. A coordinated approach led by data-driven networks would not only improve the reliability of the electric grid, but also help to reduce its peak load, they said. If implemented widely, they believe it would save utility companies and their customers billions of dollars in grid infrastructure upgrades. The study shows that, under status quo local control…

  • ChatGPT creator faces FTC investigation over misinformation claims

    OpenAI, the creator of popular generative AI chatbot ChatGPT is facing yet another legal challenge regarding its creation.  With this new probe, the US competition regulator aims to find out what the company's data privacy rules are and what action it takes to stop its technology from giving out incorrect information. As part of the investigation, the FTC has sent OpenAI a 20-page letter requesting detailed information on its AI technology, products, customers, privacy safeguards and data security arrangements, according to The Washington Post. The letter also requests information regarding the steps taken by OpenAI to address their products' potential to "generate statements about real individuals that are false, misleading, disparaging or harmful". OpenAI founder Sam Altman said he…

    E+T Magazine
    E+T Magazine

  • Surgeons urge increased use of robotics in operations to improve outcomes

    Robotic-assisted surgery is already being used in many types of operations and has been shown to have benefits including reduced blood loss and pain, more efficient use of anaesthetics and shorter hospital stays.  RCS England said it has the potential to give greater precision during operations; result in fewer blood transfusions; free up hospital beds; increase patient satisfaction, and reduce recovery time. However, despite the rapid growth in its usage, there are no formal processes for providing robotic training in the UK or Europe, or expanding its use in hospitals. Unregulated adoption also has the potential to lead to varied accessibility, outcomes and could increase the risk of patient harm. In a new guide, 'Robotic assisted surgery - A pathway to the future', RCS England looks…

  • Hands-on review: Chefree AFW20 Air Fryer

    The post-pandemic parallel stresses of a cost-of-living crisis compounded by soaring energy bills has been a positive boon for the air fryer industry. People have still got to eat, so the idea of being able to prepare hot meals in half the time has proved a deliciously attractive proposition. The Chefree AFW20 air fryer is the latest iteration on the air fryer concept, building on the well-established form and function, yet still managing to add a few new appealing features. Image credit: Chefree Promising to empower the user to save up to 80 per cent on their energy bill, via the "cook faster, save energy" model, the Chefree has two large 4L cooking drawers (the company's tagline for this is, "Double taste, double enjoyment"), each with a visible window and internal…

    E+T Magazine
    E+T Magazine

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

    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 Communities Committee.  In December 2022, Rishi Sunak's government ensured that the new legislation aimed at boosting housing and infrastructure would make clear that the promise to build 300,000 homes every year by the mid-2020s was only a “starting point” and would be “advisory”. However, the Committee said its inquiry into the policy change had seen it told that the six-figure target would be “impossible to achieve”. The 44-page report states that the government has not provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate…

    E+T Magazine
    E+T Magazine

  • Back Story: ‘No one truly knows what diversity or inclusion looks or feels like’

    Shini Somara: Why did you choose geotechnical engineering? Vanessa Burton: I always loved infrastructure and was good at maths, art and physics. During college summer holidays I undertook a work experience, ‘Urban Pioneers: Between the Bridges’, with the Architecture Foundation. It was fantastic and it helped me understand where I wanted to be. I didn’t know much about the civil engineering industry beforehand, especially geotechnical engineering.   SS: Were there many people that looked like you on your engineering course? VB: Coming from South London to attend University of Surrey was a shock. Nobody on my civil engineering course looked like me; the colloquialisms, humour was all different. By getting involved in various societies and during my course I made some great friends. I was…

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy burdening UK space sector, MPs warn

    A report from the Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee claims that bolstering domestic launch capabilities would also help to strengthen Britain’s position in the design and manufacture of small satellites. However, the first attempt at a rocket launch from British soil by Virgin Orbit in January this year failed catastrophically, with the firm discovering that a dislodged fuel filter caused an engine to overheat . Virgin Orbit, which has since been shuttered in the wake of the disastrous launch, were highly critical of the UK regulatory process which preceded the attempt. This process was led by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), who were accused by Virgin Orbit of operating a process that was slow, excessively bureaucratic, and risk averse. The CAA defended the licencing…

  • After All: Speeding when stationary, with lost GPS signal

    Halfway into our coast-to-coast drive across France, our camper van’s deranged satnav, whom we had nicknamed George, came up with a new crackling statement. “GPS signal lost!” he (it) was announcing triumphantly every five minutes. It was a significant addition to his usual mantra, “You are over the speed limit!”, which he particularly enjoyed repeating when we were stuck in a long motorway queue. I first introduced George – or the SatNag, as we had monikered him – to E&T readers in 2021. We inherited him as part of an outdated sound system, firmly embedded into the dashboard of our Toyota Alphard campervan, aka Alphie. George was irritating, but also irrepressible: three years on, despite using a Google Maps satnav from my wife’s smartphone, we were still unable to silence our ‘SatNag’!…

    E+T Magazine
    E+T Magazine

  • Hands-on review: Majority Audio Everest 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound System

    Music, film, TV and gaming. As often as not, all four will be consumed and enjoyed in most homes via the same device: the big-screen television. However, the speakers and overall sound quality of many televisions - even new models in 2023 - can be somewhat lacklustre, with manufacturers (understandably enough) reasoning that those who crave better, clearer, more dimensional, more enveloping, and just plain louder audio will go ahead and spend their own money upgrading their overall home sonic experience. This is where soundbars step in. Naturally, there are approximately a million soundbars to choose from these days, ranging from basic stereo systems, to 2.1 systems that add a subwoofer (for the boom that shakes the room), up to full-on 5.1 surround-sound setups, like this Everest system…

  • Futuristic concrete made from fungi allows for eco-friendly construction

    Using the knitted moulds as a flexible framework or ‘formwork’, the scientists created a composite called ‘mycocrete’ which is stronger and more versatile in terms of shape and form, allowing the scientists to grow lightweight and relatively eco-friendly construction materials. “Our ambition is to transform the look, feel and wellbeing of architectural spaces using mycelium in combination with biobased materials such as wool, sawdust and cellulose,” said Dr Jane Scott of Newcastle University. To make composites using mycelium, scientists mix spores with grains they can feed on and material that they can grow on. This mixture is packed into a mould and placed in a dark, humid, and warm environment so that the mycelium can grow, binding the substrate tightly together. Once it’s reached…

  • Secrets of Egyptian paintings uncovered by chemical imaging

    The two paintings were placed in funerary chapels in Theban Necropolis near the River Nile. They date to the Ramesside Period, approximately 1,400 and 1,200 BCE, respectively.  The technology allowed researchers to undertake the experiments on-site, being able to analyse the paint composition and layering and identify alterations made to the artworks without having to remove them from their location. The results of the experiments revealed that the headdress, necklace, and sceptre in the image of Ramesses II were substantially reworked. In addition, in a scene of adoration depicted in Menna’s tomb, the position and colour of an arm were modified. Moreover, t he pigments used to represent skin colour differ from those first applied, resulting in subtle changes whose purpose still remains…

  • Government email accounts breached in Microsoft hack

    Microsoft has identified 'Storm-0558' as responsible for the hacking of email accounts, including some linked to US and Western Europe government agencies.  Email accounts belonging to US State Department and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo were reportedly affected , The Washington Post has reported, citing official sources. "The threat actor Microsoft links to this incident is an adversary based in China that Microsoft calls Storm-0558," the company said in a blog post late Tuesday, July 12th. "Storm-0558 primarily targets government agencies in Western Europe and focuses on espionage, data theft and credential access." Microsoft’s executive vice president of security, Charlie Bell, said the hacking group is focused on " espionage" and implied that the goal of the attack could have…

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