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  • How to build a better building

    “The built environment industry strives to design, construct and operate buildings to withstand both natural disasters and man-made hazards,” ASHRAE president Bill Bahnfleth says. “We must use the knowledge gleaned from disasters like the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, Superstorm Sandy , last year’s Oklahoma City tornado and others, as well as predictions of the effects of climate change , to our advantage to save lives and infrastructure in the future.” Article in full: http://www.environmentalleader.com/2014/05/14/how-to-build-better-buildings/ Keep an eye out for the IET BE Sector Special Interest Publication (SiP) publishing later this year 'Managing Complexity and Uncertainty in Developing Cities' Find out more: http://www.theiet.org/events/2014/195075.cfm

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Software Reliability

    Software Reliability Software robustness is a hot potato in Software Development (from requirement capture to validation and verification - and yes, I think software robustness has to be considered and systematically built into each phase of the software development using appropriate processes and methodologies). Faulty, unreliable software designs are expensive to redesign, enhance, retest and/or maintain. They are also damaging - business and reputably damaging to the developer(s) and their client(s), with potential loss of end-user customers. The legal and technical wrangling over the Government's "abandoned" NHS IT system is an example of software development complexity, what can go wrong and how it went wrong: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHS_Connecting_for_Health http://www.theguardian…

    Abi
    Abi

  • Software Reliability

    Software Reliability Software robustness is a hot potato in Software Development (from requirement capture to validation and verification - and yes, I think software robustness has to be considered and systematically built into each phase of the software development using appropriate processes and methodologies). Faulty, unreliable software designs are expensive to redesign, enhance, retest and/or maintain. They are also damaging - business and reputably damaging to the developer(s) and their client(s), with potential loss of end-user customers. The legal and technical wrangling over the Government's "abandoned" NHS IT system is an example of software development complexity, what can go wrong and how it went wrong: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHS_Connecting_for_Health http://www.theguardian…

    Abi
    Abi

  • European Satellite Navigation Competition

    Do you have a brilliant idea that uses satellite navigation technology? The European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC) is looking for individuals, teams or companies with ground-breaking ideas in applying positioning, navigation or timing technology, to rapidly accelerate their ideas into successful businesses. Whether it’s an app, software platform or new piece of technology, the ESNC can connect you with a world-class network and provide expert business mentoring with guidance in protecting Intellectual Property (IP), refining your business model and maximising investor appeal. Click here for further details on the competition

    Deborah-Claire McKenzie
    Deborah-Claire McKenzie

  • Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance environment competition.

    The ICT KTN are announcing a competition... Traditional, well-modelled, structured information sources are supported by a growing amount of unstructured, less well-defined sources. The addition of non-traditional data sources creates various challenges in sensemaking including use of techniques that can cope with large-scale data. Through this themed competition, the Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE), are seeking projects to demonstrate solutions as prototype software capable of taking part in a live information processing experiment in September 2015. There is a competition briefing event on May 22nd in London. Full details are available via the SBRI website: https://sbri.innovateuk.org/competition-display-page/-/asset_publisher/E809e7RZ5ZTz/content/information-processing-and-sensemaking…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • The KTN And IET Forum: Direct Current Energy Systems

    The KTN and IET Forum: Direct Current Energy Systems 22 May 2014, London The KTN and IET are supporting a one day event on 22 May 2014 which will look at the landscape of Direct Current (DC) energy systems, the challenges they present to engineers, technicians and building managers alike, and the opportunities for wider application and user adoption of these emerging technologies. For more information including the event programme please visit the event page . You can register for the event online .

    Gemma Hadley
    Gemma Hadley

  • Call for Built Environment Innovations!

    Institution of Engineering and Technology Seeks Out World’s Best Built Environment Innovations The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has launched a worldwide search for the best innovations in Built Environment for one of the industry’s most prestigious awards programmes – the Innovation Awards. The Innovation Awards recognise excellence across 16 categories, which span the breadth of science, engineering and technology. The free-to-enter, international annual awards scheme provides a unique opportunity for engineering inventors to showcase their brightest ideas. Entries to the Built Environment Innovation Award category can relate to any aspect of the built environment including design proposals; system improvements or developments; installation methods; innovative use of new…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Ericsson demonstrates transformation to smart cities

    How will people’s lives in the smart city look like? What technologies will power the transformation to a Networked Society? Article in full: http://www.zawya.com/story/Ericsson_demonstrates_transformation_to_smart_cities_at_LTE_MENA_2014-ZAWYA20140508073400/

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Booked your place for the 22 May DC Energy Systems Forum?

    Join us this 22 May for a FREE, invited speaker event! https://communities.theiet.org/built-environment/dc-energy This focused one day event on 22 May 2014 will look at the landscape of Direct Current (DC) energy systems, the challenges they present to engineers, technicians and building managers alike, and the opportunities for wider application and user adoption of these emerging technologies. This is a joint event organised by The KTN and The IET Built Environment Sector. #IETBuiltEnv

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Looking for Power Electronics Engineers of the Future? Join The KTN on 15 May

    The EPSRC Centre for Power Electronics in partnership with the TSB and KTN are running a showcase of early stage power electronics researchers on 15 th May at Warwick University. The objective is to encourage the sector to meet the engineers of the future, currently funded by EPSRC or TSB projects. The event will encourage a dialog assist these early stage researchers to better understand the needs of industry and industry, the aspirations of a forthcoming generation of power electronics engineers. To find out more and book to attend, click here: http://bit.ly/1jA1lYF

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • #BringBackOurGirls: To Help Our Girls Have A Future And Opportunities

    The 237 school children in question were studying for their physics exam when they were abducted. ''I'm no expert in Nigerian politics, let alone " Boko Haram ", which interprets as "Western education is sinful" - all I know, is how sad this crisis is playing out in one of the poorest parts of Nigeria, where education is at its low and remarkable that the Nigerian Government is not doing enough to free the release of over 200 missing schoolgirls. Although, now, there has been public anger in Nigeria and worldwide, regarding the governments earlier slow response. We are now seeing world powers getting involved, including the girl who fought her right to education, Malala'' Article by Yetunde Adediran IET Member, Founder and STEM Education Campaigner - creator of OpenVirtualSTEM Read more.. …

  • £500 million package to support ultra low emission vehicles market, infrastructure and research

    Government announces outline of £500 million package to support ultra low emission vehicles market, infrastructure and research. On 30 April 2014 - Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg yesterday announced the main elements of a £500 million package of measures to support the development and use of ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs) from 2015 to 2020. The measures have been designed to support the ultra low emission vehicle industry, as well as to help drivers afford and feel more confident in being able to use electric cars. Article in full: http://bit.ly/1niRNED

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • The future of our cities lies in the technology - ecology balance

    By 2050, it is predicted that the human population will have reached nine billion, with three quarters of us living in urban areas. If these areas are to support this rapid population growth, change will be essential. Sustainable urban development, which is integrated with technology, is the answer - but it cannot be achieved without recognising the vital role of the natural environment and its fundamental impact on economic prosperity, health and social cohesion. As space in cities becomes more precious, planning for green needs to be a fundamental consideration, not an optional add-on or a nod towards biodiversity. In light of this, a new report by Arup, supported by the Landscape Institute and Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, reveals how we need to rethink our urban environments. ‘Cities Alive…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Using MyCommunity

    For those of you new to the IET online community and would like some assistance, there plenty of tutorials and online guides on MyCommunity, which can be found by clicking on the support button on the left hand navigation bar.

    Allan Casey
    Allan Casey

  • Government backs UK Launch Site Plan for Space Tourism

    Excellent news that the UK government has backed plans for a four-fold expansion of the UK space industry to £40bn by 2030. Plans for developing a commercial spaceport in the UK look interesting as well. For more details on this BBC article click here .

    Deborah-Claire McKenzie
    Deborah-Claire McKenzie

  • Satellite Debris found in Amazon

    Not what you normally expect to find on a fishing trip! Some debris from the Alphasat telecommunications satellite launch at the Kourou base in French Guiana was found in a remote part of the Amazon this week. For more information click here .

    Deborah-Claire McKenzie
    Deborah-Claire McKenzie

  • Space Robotics Presentations

    Members in the Satellite Systems & Appliactions My Community may be interested in the following three presentations filmed towards the end of 2013. Catching a Comet: The Rosetta Space Mission Professor Ian Wright Catching a Comet: The Rosetta Space Mission >> Play webcast >> more Robotics Challenges for Planetary Exploration Professor Ralph Cordey Developments in Space Robotics >> Play webcast >> more Space Robotics Research: Past, Present and Future Professor Yang Gao Developments in Space Robotics >> Play webcast >> more

    Deborah-Claire McKenzie
    Deborah-Claire McKenzie

  • Royal Aeronautical Society Activities

    Here are details of some activities coming up that may be of interest to you. Space Group lecture: The Future of Human Space Exploration 14 May 2014 RAeS HQ, London Click here to find out more. This lecture will be given by Dr Ellen Stofan, Chief Scientist and Jim Adams, Deputy Technologist at NASA. The Future of Weapon Systems Trials – A Case for European Collaboration? 20 May 2014 MOD Boscombe Down Click here to find out more. This conference looks to address the concern that Europe has insufficient capability to prove future Weapon Systems. Advanced Aero Concepts, Design and Operations Conference 22 – 24 July 2014 Bristol Click here to find out more.

    Deborah-Claire McKenzie
    Deborah-Claire McKenzie

  • Curiosity Rover gets set for third drilling operation on Mars

    Caked in red silt, NASA’s Curiosity rover looks like it’s been trekking through a Martian dust storm in this latest interactive panorama. But nothing can tarnish the joy of seeing this incredible machine hard at work on another planet. The dust-covered robot is currently preparing for its third drilling operation on Mars, at a site nicknamed the Kimberley. The rover will run this sample through a series of tests to give scientists a better understanding of the history of water in this area. For more details on the mission and some stunning images please click here .

    Deborah-Claire McKenzie
    Deborah-Claire McKenzie

  • Curiosity Rover Third Drilling Operation on Mars

    Caked in red silt, NASA’s Curiosity rover looks like it’s been trekking through a Martian dust storm in this latest interactive panorama. But nothing can tarnish the joy of seeing this incredible machine hard at work on another planet. The dust-covered robot is currently preparing for its third drilling operation on Mars, at a site nicknamed the Kimberley. The rover will run this sample through a series of tests to give scientists a better understanding of the history of water in this area. For more details on the mission and some stunning images please click here .

    Deborah-Claire McKenzie
    Deborah-Claire McKenzie

  • BE Sector supports Future Cities - Internet of Things & Open Data Symposium (FIOS2014)

    Held in February 2014, the event attracted o ver 100 people attendees from a variety of sectors. You can see a short video on the event here - http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/APS/OpenLabs/127638.htm And read the write up on the event here - http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/NewsUpdate/viewarticle/1401/ Did you attend?

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • University experts help create first mobile-connected smart city ranking

    Experts help develop the first ever global mobile-connected smart city ranking Smart cities will use communication technologies including mobile networks to advance city life A recent report by BIS values smart cities industry at more than $400 billion globally by 2020 Article in full: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/news/nr/university-experts-create-smart-cities-ranking-1.371415 Have you played a part in this work?

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • 12th Staffordshire Conference on Clinical Biomechanics

    The 12th SCCB conference is taking place at Staffordshire University in Stoke on Trent 2-3 May. Please see a full press release below: New research could prevent foot amputations among diabetic patients. Four out of five foot amputations among diabetic patients could be prevented according to scientists at Staffordshire University. This follows ground-breaking research by the Biomechanics Team at Staffordshire University which has identified the likely cause of foot ulceration among people with type 2 diabetes which in extreme cases can lead to amputation. Led by Professor of Biomechanics, Nachiappan Chockalingam, the team has discovered a correlation between blood sugar levels and stiffness of the heel pad. Stiffer heel pads limit the tissues' ability to evenly distribute loads which in turn…

    Gemma Hadley
    Gemma Hadley

  • Functional Safety Made Easy

    On 7 April 2014, the IET Bristol Local Network held a joint event with the Safety Community. Ron Pierce, the current Chairman of the Community Steering Group, gave a presentation titled Functional Safety Made Easy . His talk introduced some of the concepts and general principals of managing functional safety in critical systems, including some of the insights he has gathered through working as the nominated UK expert on MT61508-3, the standards committee responsible for maintaining IEC 61508 Part 3. The presentation, liberally illustrated with anecdotes from Ron's career in software engineering, went down well with the audience and inspired a lively Q&A session! Slides from the talk are available in the Bristol Network's Files Area on MyCommunity. Volunteers from the Safety Community Steering…

    James Inge
    James Inge

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