• E&T Innovation Awards: ‘A range of thinkers is paramount to the success of a project’

    These days, the terms ‘diversity’ and ‘inclusion’ are commonplace. Yet it’s up for debate whether their value and significance within an organisation’s culture is truly embraced. Fulfilling diversity quotas is not enough. So much more needs to be done by companies to inspire and evoke an innovative mindset in all its employees. The strategies for doing this effectively are surprisingly basic. We are living in a constantly changing world, where innovation is essential for overcoming the challenges that brings. As Charles Darwin said: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the one most adaptable to change.” The process of innovation has itself changed over the years. In the past we forged it with our intelligence, believing that in gathering…

    E+T Magazine
    E+T Magazine

  • View from India: Technology, enabler for waste management

    Waste pickers rank lowest in the category of waste picking, sorting and segregating. They lack social security and are mostly unbanked. Over 15 million people earn livelihood through the informal sector, which is critical to the waste management space. “It’s essential to build trust and adopt a collaborative approach towards waste collection. Technology is the enabler. For instance, the mobile app can be leveraged for monitoring the waste collection in smart bins. Alerts, with real time updates will hasten the process. The fact that these workers can use mobile technology for their work itself may be a reckoner,” said Sandeep Patel, CEO, and NEPRA, at the CII webinar on Waste Management through Social Inclusion. Technology can be tapped to detect the precise quantity of waste generated. What…

  • The measure of: Elroy Air Chaparral cargo aircraft

    California-based Elroy Air is joining forces with a leading express delivery business to test an autonomous vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) air cargo system in the USA. Under the agreement, FedEx Express will develop plans to test Elroy Air’s Chaparral system within its middle-mile logistics operations, moving shipments between sorting locations. Elroy Air unveiled a pre-production model of its Chaparral autonomous aircraft in January 2022, ahead of flight testing. The Chaparral is a VTOL aerial cargo system that can autonomously pick up 300-500lb (up to 225kg) of cargo and deliver it by air up to 300 miles (480km). The system includes both the aircraft and the purpose-designed lightweight, aerodynamic cargo pod, along with the robotic handling system that picks it from the ground…

  • China to build solar a power plant in space in 2028

    The first launch for the construction of China 's solar power project in space has been scheduled for 2028 – two years earlier than originally planned – when a trial satellite orbiting at a distance of around 400km will test the technology used to transmit energy from the power plant to Earth. This satellite will "convert solar energy to microwaves or lasers and then direct the energy beams to various targets, including fixed locations on Earth and moving satellites" according to the South China Morning Post. It would have a 10kW power output. The Chinese government's updated plans reportedly include the building of the power station in four stages. Two years after the initial launch, the programme will send a more powerful satellite to conduct further tests. The extended power plant would…

  • EU votes to ban internal combustion engine cars from 2035

    The European Union assembly voted in Strasbourg, France, in favour of a motion that will require carmakers to cut carbon-dioxide emissions by 100 per cent by the middle of the next decade. The legislation is part of the 'Fit for 55' package, which includes the ban of combustion-engine cars from 2035 and a 55 per cent reduction in CO2 from vehicles in 2030 compared with 2021. The move deepens an existing obligation on the car industry to lower CO2 discharges by 37.5 per cent on average at the end of the decade compared to last year. Although the measure still needs to be confirmed by the European Council, the parliamentary vote was considered as the most crucial step in the approval process. “Purchasing and driving zero-emission cars will become cheaper for consumers,” said Jan Huitema…

  • Zero-emissions hydrofoil uses minimal energy by floating above the water

    Developed and built in Belfast, the vessels - which cost £12m to develop - can achieve a top speed of 34 knots and a range of 60 nautical miles at 25 knots cruise speed. Developers Artemis Technologies said the vessels achieve energy savings of up to 90 per cent compared to conventional fossil-fuel workboats. The new boats fly 'silently' above the water to ensure a smooth ride for passengers, even in rough conditions, while creating a minimal wake, making them suitable for busy waterways. Artemis Technologies is a spin-off from the Artemis Racing team that competed in the America’s Cup. Its founder, Dr Iain Percy OBE, said: “Combining our experience from the worlds of high-performance sailing, motorsports and advanced manufacturing, the electric propulsion system that we’ve designed…

  • Empire of waste: calls grow for a ban on plastic exports

    Last year, scrap metal recycler Wojciech Topkin’s attempt to move into the plastic export business didn’t go well. It was just “too risky”, and he was “forced to give up”, he tells E&T. The problem for Topkin, whose company JPM Futures has been recycling scrap metal for 15 years, was that as a plastic exporter, he must prove that materials originate in the UK before he can ship them for recycling. However, he is not convinced all plastic waste provided by his local suppliers originated in the UK. “A rubbish company in Uxbridge showed me a mixture of different types of waste,” he recalls. “If you have 200 bags pressed together, how am I supposed to split them and search for evidence that the bags are not from France or China? It’s hard for smaller companies – it’s too much hassle and risk…

  • Concrete industry seeks collaboration with governments on net-zero targets

    It has been widely acknowledged that concrete accounts for at least 7 per cent of total global CO 2 emissions. Last year, the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) issued its 'Roadmap to Net Zero 2050' as the industry seeks to reduce its environmental impact. That roadmap committed GCCA members to fully decarbonise by 2050, aligning with the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C. This year, the GCCA's annual gathering of company CEOs – the first such face-to-face meeting of industry leaders since the pandemic began – brought together key policymakers, industry leaders and sustainability representatives from the industry’s leading companies to discuss the future of concrete and the industry's next steps on its roadmap to net zero. The two-day gathering in Atlanta was titled…

  • UK government acquires its first quantum computer

    The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) will work with Orca Computer to develop defence applications with quantum computing. While most computers process data in bits, with a binary value of either zero or one, quantum computers use a two-state unit for data processing called a qubit, which represents several digits simultaneously through a process known as superposition. By being able to bridge binary digits, and cope with high levels of uncertainty, the devices can make highly complex calculations that cannot be done by regular computers. Stephen Till of the Ministry’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DTSL) called the purchase a “milestone moment”. However, Professor Winfried Hensinger, head of the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies at the University of Sussex, told the BBC that…

  • Energy firms provided ‘unacceptable service’ during Storm Arwen, Ofgem finds

    It found that while companies worked hard “in challenging circumstances” to get customers reconnected, nearly 4,000 homes had to cope without power in appalling weather conditions for over a week. The six-month review focused on whether the power outages could have been prevented and whether power was restored quickly enough. While companies initiated their emergency plans before the storm hit, the plans were not deemed “sufficient to deal with the scale of damage” that resulted from Storm Arwen. Northern Powergrid, whose customers were affected by the storm, failed to directly contact vulnerable customers enrolled on its Priority Services Register (PSR) prior to Storm Arwen, a process which should have been carried out as part of its planned winter preparedness campaign. Limited remote…

  • Letters to the editor: volume 17, issue 6

    Let media know about misuse of ‘engineer’ I would endorse Malcolm Joynson’s letter, ‘We can get status if we really want it’ , in the March 2022 issue of E&T. I have been a member of the IEE/IET for over 50 years, and if anything our status has deteriorated. When I began my career, drivers of steam locomotives were referred to as ‘engineers’ by the media. Today, this has expanded to include technicians and repair service personnel. Moreover, the software industry feels free to use the title ‘engineer’ as it wishes. Imagine the furore if building contractors called themselves ‘architects’, supermarkets called checkout staff ‘accountants’, or debt collectors were termed ‘lawyers’. Even highly experienced nurses would face disciplinary action for describing themselves as ‘doctors’, though many…

    E+T Magazine
    E+T Magazine

  • Gadgets: Arlo Go 2 security cam, GoDice, Technics SL-1200M7L and more

    Arlo Go 2 Secure anything, anywhere. This weatherproof security camera can livestream 1080p HD video via Wi-Fi and 4G SIM. The battery lasts months, perfect for a caravan, garage or allotment shed as well as home. You get alerts and can even trigger a siren or spotlight. £50 extra buys a two-year cloud storage plan. £259.99 arlo.com GoDice New from the makers of smart Rubik’s cube GoCube, which we tested in June 2020, these six smart dice contain 3D sensors that connect wirelessly to a clever app full of games. Not just dice games like Yatzy (sic) and Pig but boardgames, maths and trivia games. It’s small, perfect for holidays, and a 13-second charge in the carry case is enough for two hours of gameplay. $119 getgocube.com Petoi Bittle ...

    E+T Magazine
    E+T Magazine

  • Artificial leaf devices can produce clean hydrogen from water

    A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London has created devices that can mimic the natural photosynthesis process but produce fuels like hydrogen instead of sugars. These artificial leaf devices were made from bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) and other sustainable materials, harvesting sunlight to produce O2, H2 and CO. The discovery could help overcome some of the key challenges in solar fuel production. Currently, most Earth-abundant light-absorbing materials have limited performance or stability. Initially, BiOI was also rejected as a solution for solar fuel applications due to its poor stability in water. However, the study published in Nature Materials states that this non-toxic semiconductor alternative could be key to the production of green hydrogen…

  • UK ‘wasted’ £98m on attempts to revamp criminal electronic tagging system

    Electronic monitoring allows the police, courts, probation and immigration services to monitor offenders’ locations and compliance with court orders. Regarded as a cost-effective alternative to custody, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) launched a programme in 2011 to transform the system by improving its efficiency and capability by introducing new technologies and adding more sentencing options. But the NAO said that the “fundamental transformation” of the tagging services, which was sought through the £98m adoption of the Gemini case management system, was managed poorly. Gemini was ultimately dumped by the government last year in order to prevent the taxpayer from incurring further losses through its use. “Its lack of focus on monitoring benefits and continued poor evidence…

  • EU net neutrality ‘undermined’ by Big Tech’s money, activists warn

    A group of 34 NGOs from 17 countries have warned that a decision from the EU to force tech companies Google, Meta and Netflix to make financial contributions to the cost of building and running mobile and broadband networks would threaten the principles of an open Internet. The EU has long defended the importance of net neutrality laws that f orbid service providers from prioritising certain applications beyond standard traffic management measures and from charging content providers for additional fees for the preferential treatment. However, last month, Europe's digital chief Margrethe Vestager suggested a possible shift in policy that will ensure Big Tech firms contribute to the cost of building 5G and fibre infrastructure - something for which telecoms operators have long been lobbying…

  • Injectable gel used as scaffolding to repair damaged heart

    Developed by researchers at the University of Manchester, the gel allows doctors to introduce new cells into damaged hearts as a way to repair it and reduce the risk of progression to heart failure. Historically, when cells have been injected directly into the heart, only one per cent have remained in place and survived. The biodegradable gel can be safely injected into the beating heart to act as a scaffold for cells to grow new tissue. The researchers hope their gel will become a key part of future regenerative treatments for damaged hearts.  University of Manchester researcher Katharine King, who led this research, said: “The heart has a very limited ability to repair any damage it sustains. Our research has been looking for ways to overcome this so we can keep the heart in a healthier…

  • Sponsored: Digital engineering in the real world: revolutionising rail infrastructure

    Digital engineering is transforming the world around us. Its impact on our national infrastructure, and rail in particular, is only now being seen and there are some amazing lessons that will be shared in this webinar that will help you see even more about its potential and what it can bring to your work. It’s not just business that sees its importance – government is putting digital engineering at the heart of its approach, as can be seen with the procurement approach for HS2. Its practical cross-sector application and interoperability between assets will be fascinating to witness. However, getting an industry to change how it’s always done things is no mean feat. That was the challenge most recently faced by Mark Wild of Crossrail. Opening this summer, Mark will talk you through how the…

  • UN partners with Uber to deliver food and aid in Ukraine

    A “private label” version of the Uber app is being used by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to track and coordinate a fleet of smaller vehicles delivering relief items to people in need in areas of Ukraine affected by the Russian invasion. Through this platform, WFP can get its food closer to those people needing its support, dispatching deliveries in various sizes of vehicle, tracking each trip in real time until it reaches its destination, and confirming deliveries have been made safely. The service has already been used to deliver food in the central city of Dnipro, with the hope of extending it to four other cities: Lviv, Vinnytsia, Kyiv and Chernivtsi. “WFP is playing a critical role in providing food and cash assistance to those most affected by the war in Ukraine,” said…

  • AI courses face negative perception from UK students, study suggests

    Despite analyst predictions that the AI industry will be worth approximately £49bn globally in 2022, a new in-depth study by BT has uncovered a lack of awareness among UK students about the opportunity to pursue qualifications in AI-related courses. The findings are revealed in BT’s report, 'AI skills: Motivation & AI careers myths debunked', which was commissioned in partnership with Yonder Consultancy, to understand how to grow and retain AI talent in the UK. Where almost three in five (59 per cent) of higher education students said they were unaware of AI courses at the time of choosing their course, over half (51 per cent) revealed that they would consider studies centred around AI in the future, once they had understood and received more information about what the courses entail. …

  • View from India: Plastic waste collection, an incremental income

    The informal sector, comprising waste pickers, scrap dealers, aggregators and recyclers, are key people in the chain of the circular economy. “It is necessary to build bridges and give the informal workers their due recognition. This could facilitate seamless processing of waste management for end-to-end efficiency. It can also reduce gaps in the integrated value chain and make it sustainable,” said Prashant Singh, member of the CII Task Force on Waste to Worth, at the CII Webinar on Waste Management Through Social Inclusion. Looking back, the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2011, notified in 2011, included plastic waste management. In 2016, the government notified the Plastic Waste Management Rules, which was amended in 2018 and later in 2021. “What is required is the recognition…

  • Transparent film made from cellulose could help cut plastic waste

    Developed by researchers at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, the regenerated or recrystallised cellulose has been designed to replace plastic films, which are typically difficult to recycle and often end up in the wrong places after use. “We can produce transparent and flexible cellulose film. The consumer cannot distinguish between the crystal-clear material and traditional oil-based plastic. Cellulose film can resist dampness, but in nature it disappears as completely as a sheet of paper does. The product is biobased and biodegradable,” said VTT research professor Ali Harlin. In addition to their protective properties, transparent plastics allow consumers to see the product itself without exposing it to the air, which can lead to faster degradation. Image…

  • EU agrees to impose common USB-C charger

    In order to reduce e-waste and ease user experiences, all phones and electronic devices sold in the European Union from Autumn 2024, no matter what brand, will have a common USB-C charger, EU lawmakers have decided. The deadline will apply to smartphones, as well as tablets, digital cameras, headphones, handheld video game consoles and e-readers. However, laptops will have 40 extra months to comply with the new rule, as they tend to require more power and use a wider variety of chargers. The legislation has been under development for more than a decade , but an agreement on its scope was only reached on Tuesday, following negotiations between different EU bodies. The legislation also includes provisions designed to address wireless chargers in the future, as well as harmonising fast-charging…

    E+T Magazine
    E+T Magazine

  • Efforts to decarbonise UK fishing sector hampered by restrictive licencing

    Alongside a broader UK target of net zero by 2050, the post-Brexit UK Fisheries Act was introduced in 2020 which set out a clear objective to address the climate impact of fisheries. A new report from the University of Hull - 'Electrifying the Fleet' - has found that although technology exists for fishers to switch to a more efficient and sustainable system, current licensing systems which encourage the use of short, wide, fuel-inefficient boats are preventing the sector from using greener vessels. Dr Magnus Johnson, senior lecturer at the University of Hull and lead author of the report, said: “Every sector has a role to play in transitioning to net zero, including the UK’s fishing fleet. Powering the UK's fishing fleet currently relies heavily on fossil fuel. Our report presents new findings…

  • Researchers create ‘time machine’ simulations of ancestor galaxy cities

    Cosmological simulations are crucial to studying how the universe came to be, but many do not typically match what astronomers observe through telescopes. Instead, they are often designed to mirror the real universe in a statistical sense. Constrained cosmological simulations, on the other hand, are designed to directly reproduce the structures we actually observe in the universe. However, most existing simulations of this kind have only been applied to our local universe, until now. A team of researchers from the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe have developed a simulation that allows them to study the life cycle of ancestor galaxy cities, known as 'COSTCO' (COnstrained Simulations of The COsmos Field). The tool's findings have been published in Nature Astronomy…

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