• SunCable receives another major environmental approval for its flagship solar project

    SunCable’s flagship development project Australia-Asia PowerLink (AAPowerLink), which aims to deliver 6GW of electricity to Darwin and Singapore, has been approved under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. Australian renewable energy company SunCable, which is owned by a consortium led by Grok Ventures, is another step closer to its ambition of delivering 24/7 renewable electricity to Darwin and Singapore via “the world’s longest overhead and subsea high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems”. Its flagship project, AAPowerLink, has now received EPBC Act approval. This regulatory milestone follows last month’s environmental approval granted by Australia’s Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority. The AAPowerLink 12,000-hectare (29…

  • Blood packs delivered by drones in ground-breaking UK trial

    Blood packs have been successfully transported by drone in a series of “beyond visual line of sight” flights, marking the first time such a feat has been accomplished in the UK. The research study, jointly conducted by NHS Blood and Transplant and the medical logistics company Apian, aimed to evaluate the viability of drone transport for blood delivery. Over the course of the trial, 10 units of packed red blood cells were flown across a 68km route over Northumbria, while an identical set of 10 units was delivered by road. Post-flight analysis revealed no significant difference in the biochemical or haematological profiles of the blood transported by drone compared to that transported by road, indicating that the usability of the blood was not compromised during delivery. The trial is…

  • TSMC breaks ground on its first European chipmaking factory in eastern Germany

    Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), the world’s largest contract chipmaker, is to construct a €10bn computer chip plant in Dresden, Germany, expected to be a key supplier to European industry and car makers. An event was held in Dresden on 20 August 2024 to mark the construction of a new semiconductor chip plant in Dresden, often referred to as the heart of Germany’s ‘Silicon Saxony’ chipmaking region. The plant is the result of a joint venture called the European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC) between TSCM, German engineering company Robert Bosch, German semiconductor manufacturer Infineon Technologies AG and Dutch semiconductor manufacturing company NXP Semiconductors. To build the €10bn plant, the EU Commission has approved €5bn worth of state aid – the biggest…

  • MoD to build ‘silent hangar’ for military vehicles to combat GPS jamming

    A test facility to help the military counter GPS jamming efforts is being built at the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Boscombe Down site in Wiltshire. The ‘silent hangar’, which has a far greater capacity than existing UK facilities, will be large enough to fit some of the biggest military assets, including Protector drones, Chinook helicopters and F-35 fighter jets. As well as other technologies, planes rely on satellite-based GPS for positioning, navigation and timing. 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. GPS jamming or spoofing GPS signals is increasingly used during warfare to disrupt airborne vehicles or critical economic, defence and strategic activities…

  • FAA announces $291m investment to boost development of clean aviation technologies

    The US government’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is allocating $291m to projects that will help the country reach its net zero greenhouse gas emissions from aviation by 2050. The funds, which have been allocated from the Inflation Reduction Act, are aimed at boosting the development and adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other low-emission aviation technologies through a number of grants. Pete Buttigieg, US secretary of transportation, said: “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to enhancing the safety, sustainability and efficiency of our national air transportation system and reaching our mid-century target of net zero emissions. “These grants will help put the world on a path towards decarbonising aviation while fostering domestic economic growth and ensuring…

  • China is five years behind the West in chipmaking, report finds

    China is about five years behind the market leaders in global chip manufacturing technology, a report from US think tank ITIF has claimed. In 2022, the US imposed sweeping restrictions on the sale of advanced chips and manufacturing gear to China, which has forced the country to seek self-sufficiency in the semiconductor industry. The most advanced chips are considered crucial to stay at the forefront of technological innovation – not least of all AI, which requires vast amounts of processing power. But the ITIF report finds that Chinese firms are roughly five years behind global leaders in high-volume manufacturing of cutting-edge chips and that the country’s efforts to “catch up” across different subsectors has been uneven. For example, Chinese enterprises are thought to be only around…

  • Waymo’s new 6th generation robotaxi features fewer sensors in a bid to reduce production costs

    Waymo has revealed its new sixth-generation robotaxi with a sensor suite “optimised for greater performance at a significantly reduced cost, without compromising safety”. Waymo, which is owned by Google parent company Alphabet, currently operates commercial robotaxi services in Phoenix, Arizona, and San Francisco, California, with new services planned in Los Angeles, California, and Austin, Texas. It has about 700 vehicles in its fleet, the hardware and software for which it develops from the ground up, and is the only US firm operating driverless robotaxis that collect fares. Earlier this year, the company stated that to date Waymo vehicles have driven around 10 million fully autonomous miles and served over 1 million ride-hail trips. However, it is not without its challenges, as it…

  • Rocket explodes while undergoing testing at SaxaVord Spaceport

    An attempted rocket test by a German space firm at the UK’s SaxaVord Spaceport has ended in disaster after the rocket exploded while on the launchpad. Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) – which is focused on providing low-cost, sustainable access to space – said that the first stage of its rocket was destroyed after an “anomaly”, which caused a “hot fire” on the launchpad. Observers could see large flames and plumes of smoke emerging horizontally from the bottom of the rocket, before the entire structure was engulfed by the fire. RFA is hoping to be the first firm to make a vertical rocket launch into orbit from UK soil. The firm said that no one was injured in the incident and that the launch pad itself had not taken any significant damage. “Any immediate danger has been mitigated,” it…

  • Ministers approve London City Airport passenger expansion despite climate concerns

    London City Airport has been given permission to ramp up passenger numbers by 40% after ministers overruled Newham Council, which had objected to the plan. The council previously rejected the airport’s proposal to increase its capacity by introducing more weekend and early morning flights over concerns that it would create more air and noise pollution that would impact nearby residents. But both Angela Rayner, secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, and transport secretary Louise Haigh overrode the council and approved an increase in capacity from 6.5 million to 9 million passengers a year. Nevertheless, proposals to extend operating hours on Saturday afternoon were rejected – the airport currently closes at 12.30pm on Saturdays, but it had petitioned to extend…

  • Lego’s latest campaign encourages fans to pass on their bricks

    The Lego Group has launched a new ‘made to be played’ campaign, inspiring fans and families to pass on their bricks to the next generation. The Lego brick has stood the test of time. For a toy that is over 66 years old, it certainly has longevity. This is all down to its design. First patented in 1958, every Lego brick features an interlocking system, which means that regardless of when the brick was manufactured, it can be built and rebuilt with any other Lego brick in existence in an infinite number of ways. And there are millions of these little bricks in existence. According to Lego, on average there are 80 Lego bricks for every person on earth. But rather than ending in landfill, the bricks can be passed on when they are no longer needed. This is what Lego is encouraging with its…

  • EDF Renewables UK to build more than 300MW of battery storage in the next year

    EDF Renewables UK has said it will launch six battery projects across the UK in the next 12 months, with a combined capacity of more than 300MW. The firm, which is a subsidiary of the French state-owned energy giant, said the projects include a 57MW battery in Braintree, Essex, and a 47.5MW battery in Indian Queens, Saint Austell. It also energised a 52MW battery in Bedfordshire in July, as well as Dorset Council last week approving planning for a 47.5MW battery near Mannington. As of June 2024, the UK’s operational battery storage capacity was 4.6GW, so the new projects represent a roughly 7% increase nationwide. The UK’s total battery storage is expected to increase to 7.4GW by the end of the year. The technology will be needed if Labour is going to meet its target of decarbonising…

  • MoD’s first dedicated Earth-imaging satellite to support military operations launches into space

    The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has seen its Tyche satellite blast off into space to provide crucial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. On 16 August 2024, SpaceX launched the Transporter-11 rideshare mission from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Using its reusable Falcon 9 rocket, more than 100 satellites were blasted into low-Earth orbit for government and commercial outfits. Among these satellites was the Tyche, the MoD’s first fully-owned satellite to provide timely space-based imagery and videos of the Earth’s surface in support of the British Armed Forces. Commissioned by UK Space Command – a joint command of the British Armed Forces responsible for space operations, space workforce and space capability – the £22m contract was awarded to Surrey Satellite Technology…

  • Researchers develop methods to detect ‘fake’ honey without even opening the jar

    A research team at Cranfield University has developed two fast and accurate methods to detect sugar syrup adulteration in jars of honey. Honey is a natural substance produced by honey bees. However, in recent years it has become less and less ‘natural’, with cases of sugar syrup adulteration increasing. What this means is that vegetable-based syrups from maize, corn, rice, sugar beet, wheat, cassava and even potatoes are used to dilute real honey. The resulting concoction can comprise as little as 15% honey. This ‘fake’ honey, which is sold for as little as 69p a jar, is flooding our supermarket shelves. Trading data from the UK government found that in 2023 £89.8m worth of honey was imported into the UK. According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), this equates to 51,400 tonnes of…

  • Manufacturers call for rapid investment in Britain’s crumbling roads

    Britain’s deteriorating road infrastructure has forced manufacturers to spend more on logistics, as well as increasing difficulty around labour mobility and access to skills, Make UK has said. The lobbying group said that over half of manufacturers (54%) believe that national road infrastructure has deteriorated over the last decade. Its latest study found that manufacturers believe that successive governments have put too much emphasis on cost when valuing infrastructure projects, and not enough on their potential benefit. Manufacturers in the north of England were particularly critical of the state of road infrastructure compared to other areas of the UK, with 68% of those in the north-west saying that infrastructure has deteriorated over the last decade. Recent data from the AA found…

  • UK and New Zealand to collaborate on offshore wind energy

    The UK government has unveiled plans to collaborate with New Zealand to develop the offshore wind energy sector. A new report by energy consultancy Xodus has highlighted the significant opportunity to be gained from New Zealand harnessing offshore wind power. With 15,000km of coastline, the report states that New Zealand possesses the essential ingredients to accelerate its offshore wind industry: one of the world’s best wind resources, regulatory framework, government support and social need. While New Zealand is just past the starting gates of its wind power journey, the UK is the world’s second-largest offshore wind market with 13.9 gigawatts fully commissioned as of 2023 and boasting a highly capable supply chain. Indeed, in July 2024 Great British Energy announced that it will…

  • The UK has Europe’s greenest bus fleet as figures show surge in uptake

    Zero-emission buses now represent a quarter of all new registrations, with the UK achieving the greenest bus fleet in Europe, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has said. New figures from the body showed that the UK’s bus sector recently posted its fifth consecutive quarter of growth, demonstrating a “gradual return of operator confidence” following sharp decline during the pandemic. The SMMT also said that the Bus Fare Cap Grant notably stimulated demand – the government-funded scheme introduced a maximum fare of £2 on eligible bus journeys across England (outside London) between 2023 and 2024. The Department for Transport (DfT) introduced the cap to help ease the pressure on people suffering from the cost-of-living crisis and reduce carbon emissions on local journeys…

  • Zeekr reaches EV delivery milestone and announces new ultra-fast charging batteries

    Global premium electric mobility technology company Zeekr has reached a milestone of delivering 300,000 electric vehicles (EVs) worldwide since the launch of its first model in April 2021. This announcement comes as news of its upgraded EV batteries for ultra-fast charging is also revealed. Founded in March 2021 by China-based automotive company Geely Holding, Zeekr’s mission is to produce luxury EVs to compete with the likes of Tesla and Nio. Following the launch of its first model – Zeekr 001 – it has not only expanded the line-up, including its latest Zeekr 7X SUV, but also rapidly expanded out of China into other markets – particularly Europe – with a direct-to-customer business model. Zeekr operates three R&D centres in China and one in Gothenburg, Sweden, which is also home to…

  • Battery the size of a human hair could power medical robots inside the body

    A tiny battery the width of a human hair could be used to power autonomous robots for drug delivery within the human body, researchers have discovered. A team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed the cell-sized battery, which is just 0.1mm long and 0.002mm thick. It works by capturing oxygen from air and using it to oxidise zinc, which can create a current of up to 1 volt – enough to power a small circuit, sensor or actuator. “We think this is going to be very enabling for robotics,” said Professor Michael Strano, senior author of the study. “We’re building robotic functions onto the battery and starting to put these components together into devices.” While other researchers have developed microscale robots that use solar power, they must have a laser or…

  • Altar stone at heart of Stonehenge hails from Scotland rather than Wales, research reveals

    Research has revealed that Stonehenge’s monumental six-tonne altar stone, long believed to originate from Wales, actually comes from northern Scotland. Stonehenge is a prehistoric megalithic structure on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. It is believed that construction on the structure began 5,000 years ago, with changes and additions being made over the next two millennia. It consists of an outer ring of vertical standing stones each topped by connecting horizontal lintel stones. Lying in the centre of this stone circle is a ring of smaller bluestones. The largest of these bluestones, known as the altar stone, is a 50cm thick sandstone block measuring 5x1 metres and weighing six tonnes. It was believed that this stone, along with the other smaller bluestones, hailed from the Preseli Hills…

  • Shini Somara on diversity in engineering: “it’s not just ‘nice’—it’s crucial for our future”

    Shini Somara doesn’t think diversity is ‘nice’ – she believes it is crucial. Dr Shini Somara is a mechanical engineer and fluid dynamicist, author, TED talker and broadcaster, and has provided inspiration for both the current and next generation of engineers. She is passionate about creating a more diverse and equal engineering sector. Shini spoke to Tim Fryer about these issues. Q It’s fair to say that the issue of diversity both within the engineering sector and society as a whole has had a tumultuous few years. Certainly. It’s an interesting industry because it turns out so much innovation, it really advances technology and progresses society, but it’s not the most diverse or inclusive industry. Q In a diverse world we all benefit from a diverse engineering workforce. Absolutely…

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    E+T Magazine

  • First cohort of students receive Engineering & Manufacturing T-level results

    It is exams results day for many students across England, and among this group are the first to study Engineering and Manufacturing T-levels. The two-year T-level courses were introduced by the UK government in September 2020. They are technical-based courses that can be taken by 16-18-year-olds after completing their GCSEs and are equivalent to three A-levels. The courses include a mix of classroom learning and on-the-job experience, with a 45-day industry placement. They have been designed with businesses to help give students the workplace skills that industry needs. T-levels are being phased in and currently there are over 20 subjects on offer. The first Engineering and Manufacturing courses started in September 2022, with students able to choose from the following: design and development;…

    E+T Magazine
    E+T Magazine

  • BAE Systems Recruitment Insight Morning in association with E+T

    At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world's most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions. Employing a highly skilled workforce of around 100,000 people across 40 countries, we work with customers and local partners, in developing, engineering, manufacturing, and supporting products and systems to deliver military capability, protecting people and national security, while keeping critical information and infrastructure secure. Our new site in Filton will provide an outstanding engineering hub, where employees can utilise their knowledge and skill set and thrive within their roles on some really exciting Combat Air projects. We are recruiting for circa 100 roles across: Mission SystemsSoftware, Engineering IntegrationSafetyFlight Systems Simulation Join us…

    E+T Magazine
    E+T Magazine

  • Italian minister vows to save the iconic Vespa from future EU environmental restrictions

    Italy wants the Vespa Piaggio motorcycle to be recognised as a “national cultural heritage” and save it from future EU carbon emissions regulations for vehicles. Italy’s nationalist League party, part of the ruling coalition, has submitted a draft law to the Italian parliament in Rome, which states that “in view of its symbolic value and its excellent manufacturing quality as well as its historical, artistic and cultural value, the motorcycle Vespa Piaggio, patented on April 23, 1946, is to be recognised as national cultural heritage”. The party states this law would exempt the Vespa from future traffic restrictions related to pollutant emissions imposed by local, national or European lawmakers. The bill is actively supported by Matteo Salvini, Italy’s vice prime minister and transport…

  • Chinese robotaxi firm WeRide gets green light to test with passengers in California

    China-based autonomous driving start-up WeRide has received approval to test its driverless vehicles with passengers in California. The permit from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which lasts three years, allows WeRide to test its vehicles with passengers both with a driver and without one. However, the company is not allowed to offer rides to the general public and cannot charge fares. The move comes as WeRide begins the process to go public on the US stock market at a valuation of nearly $5bn. However, Reuters reports that this is despite the US considering a ban on Chinese-connected vehicles, including autonomous vehicles. WeRide, founded in 2017, claims to be the first autonomous driving company in the world and is operating and testing in 30 cities across seven…

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