• Nasa looks to expand the use of its free-flying robots aboard the ISS

    Nasa intends to expand the use of its Astrobee free-flying robots that carry out various activities aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The cube-shaped robots – named Bumble, Honey and Queen – have been helping astronauts and researchers perform technology demonstrations, scientific research and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities in space since 2018. The battery-powered robots fly around the space station’s modules using electric fans for propulsion and can ‘see’ their surroundings using lights, cameras and other sensors. They have interchangeable ‘arms’ that allow them to hold objects or remain steady for tasks requiring stability, and magnets to ensure they stay securely docked when recharging. Nasa is now seeking input from US companies for…

  • Engineering a quiet place

    We look at efforts to understand sound perception and restore a sense of peace and quiet. It was – and still is – the spookiest experience of my life. I was standing in an anechoic chamber, designed to cut out all noise, and it felt deeply disturbing. There was absolute silence. Even my breath was silent. Speech sounded weirdly muted because there was no echo at all. The hairs rose on the back of my neck and tingled. After a while, I realised I could hear my own pulse, which was a small comfort. No one stays in an anechoic chamber for long: the sensory deprivation makes people hallucinate. An anechoic chamber is insulated from external noises and designed to minimise the reflection of sound waves inside. It’s the opposite of everyday life. If you’re sitting in a quiet room right now, pause…

  • Comment: How to mass produce medical parts economically using additive manufacturing

    The healthcare industry has benefited from additive manufacturing (AM) technology for many years, particularly for producing patient-specific dental and orthopaedic implants. Enrico Orsi, AM product manager at global engineering technologies company Renishaw, explores how the healthcare industry can now move from small-scale production of customised parts towards volume manufacture. When compared to traditional manufacturing methods, AM is a relatively new technology, which presents some barriers to its mass adoption. AM was originally developed to manufacture high-value products in small batches, so before investing this process often requires a careful cost assessment. None more so than in the healthcare industry, which is a highly regulated industry, and any qualification process will…

  • Evil Engineer - How high do I turn my loudspeakers to be heard across the nation?

    This month, the Evil Engineer comes to the aid of a correspondent set on very public revenge. Dear Evil Engineer, I hope you don’t mind a villain industry outsider writing to you with a very particular plea for help. I have spoken to friends, my sister and my therapist, and none of them have been able to give me what I need – so I’m reaching out to someone who might. Earlier this month, I discovered my husband of 20 years has been having an affair. First came the denial, then the grief, then the resolution to give him what he deserves. I’m going to buy the biggest speaker system I can find – price is no object – and announce to the entire country that he is a cheating b*******. Could you help me as the others have been unable to: by telling me how loud I need my system to be in order…

  • Teardown - Humane AI Pin and Rabbit R1

    Are AI-led, voice-based devices capable to standing up to smartphones? Not yet, on this evidence. Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, the buzz around conversational AI – or large language models (LLM) – has reached fever pitch. Now two firms – Humane and Rabbit – have attempted to cash in on the trend with standalone devices designed to convince buyers to drop their smartphones in favour of something primarily designed to be interacted with through voice. The motherboard is densely packed to fit its diminutive size Hardware-wise, Humane’s AI Pin is probably the most interesting of the two, and is designed to be clipped onto a shirt or jacket and operated using voice commands. While it lacks a traditional screen, it does come with a tiny laser projector that beams information…

  • GCSE results show increase in crucial engineering subjects – but uptake of D&T still lagging

    Science and maths remain the top two subjects in GCSEs taken, but significant increases have occurred in statistics and computer science, and there has been a small uplift in design and technology (D&T). Students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland today received more than 5.6 million GCSE results. While the pass rate has fallen for a third year running (67.6%), results are similar to those in 2019 – the last year exams were taken before Covid-19. There has also been an increase in engineering gateway subjects. Figures released by the Joint Council for Qualifications reveal that science (980,786 entries) and mathematics (878,165 entries) had the highest number of entries. There continues to be an uptake in computer science with an increase at 5.8% – from 90,558 last year to 95…

  • Broad-ranging rail review recommends new northern train routes

    A review into the future of the UK’s railways commissioned by the Labour Party has recommended a new railway route connecting various northern cities together in a mirror of similar services in the south of England. The Rail and urban transport review was commissioned by Labour last December while it was still in opposition, although its recommendations have only just been published. It calls on the new government to approve an ambitious strategy to increase journeys by public transport, walking and cycling by 2035, and to double the mode share of rail within a decade. It follows the recent cancellation of various infrastructure projects by the Labour government, including the Restoring Your Railway Fund, which would have reopened lines and stations that had been previously shuttered…

  • China drastically cuts coal power approvals as renewables soar

    China has slowed down approvals of new coal power projects as its renewable energy adoption soars, a report from a think tank has found. Nevertheless, while the number of new coal power permits has decreased, the existing pipeline of projects “remains substantial”, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) said. It warned that the upcoming projects mean that China’s climate targets and energy transition ambitions are at risk. China undertook a surge in coal power permits in 2022 and 2023, with 100GW in approvals annually in both years. But in the first half of 2024, China reduced the number of permits by 83% compared to the same period last year, permitting only 9GW of new generation. The country still undertook construction on over 41GW of coal projects in the first half…

  • 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…

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