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  • Rock and roll to paradise!

    On this day in (engineering) history… March 25, 1807 - The Swansea and Mumbles Railway, then known as the Oystermouth Railway, became the world's first passenger-carrying Railway. March 25, 1807, a spring afternoon in Swansea, rapidly becoming the World's capital of the copper industry. The grey clouds are breaking into sunshine over a place called 'The Mount,' marked out by some small, low buildings near the centre of the industrial town. A group of men, women, and children climb and are helped into a strange contraption - a box mounted on wheels running on a plateway line. A horse will pull the box, not much more than a cart, on the World's first passenger railway journey, leaving the World's first recorded railway station. The first in some ways, but not in others The Mumbles Railway…

  • In conversation with a neurodivergent volunteer: Beverley Gibbs

    It's Neurodiversity Celebration Week (17-23 March), and to mark the occasion, we've been sharing real-life experiences from neurodivergent engineers within our member and volunteer base. Today, we're featuring an interview with Beverley Gibbs, Director of the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology and a valued IET Volunteer, conducted by Daisy March, EDI Manager. Beverley has worked in the industry for an incredible 37 years in a range of different disciplines. From training as a process engineer to moving into applied research and research management, to transitioning into academia for the second part of her career, she has had the benefit (and challenge!) of experiencing many different environments. One thing the sectors that have attracted Beverley all have in common, though,…

  • A 'day in the life' of a neurodivergent engineer: Helen's Journey

    It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week, and on Tuesday we invited you to join Gavin as he led us through his day as an engineer with ADHD and autism . Today, we’re delighted to be following Helen through hers as an engineer with dyslexia and ADHD. Meet Helen Helen is a Weights Engineer with BAE Systems, which means her role is to monitor all weight throughout the design stage of ships. Her aim is to keep each ship under a certain weight and monitor how the weight is distributed. She has kindly offered to bring us with her for a day to share what it’s like, and why it works well for her. Over to you, Helen! Mornings I should preface this with that fact that there is no real ‘typical’ day in engineering – everyday is different, which is part of the fun! However, today starts with…

  • Manufacturing Technology Adoption

    The IET Manufacturing Technical Network is hosting a Webinar on 9 th April 2025, titled Manufacturing Technology Adoption. Details and registration information can be found at Manufacturing Technology Adoption This webinar is designed to help businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), thrive in the rapidly evolving world of manufacturing. Attendees will learn how to develop a winning strategy for adopting the latest manufacturing technologies and gain a competitive edge. The webinar will cover: Discovering the latest technologies transforming manufacturing today Understanding the potential benefits and opportunities Finding support and resources for smooth technology adoption Identifying and developing the critical skills needed for success As we build…

  • A 'day in the life' of a neurodivergent engineer

    In 2023, we carried out research into the instance and experience of neurodivergent engineers, and we learned so much about the broad challenges they face within the industry. However, we also heard about the unique strengths that come from thinking differently as an engineer or technician. So, we’ve explored the big ‘stuff’, what about the smaller ‘stuff’? Well, in recognition of Neurodiversity Celebration Week (17 - 23 March), we thought it would be a great opportunity to share some insights into daily life as a neurodivergent engineer, and to take us through that today is our man on the ground, Gavin Russell. Gavin is an active member of our Neurodiversity Member Network and has kindly agreed to share a look into his day as a Building Performance Engineer – take it away, Gavin! Morning…

  • Korea-ing his way to winning the Educational Technology Medal

    Richard Harris saw how South Korea taught technology. Suddenly, a light switched on his mind and changed his whole approach to education technology. The best, most effective method of teaching anyone is to get the students involved in the subject as far as possible. The winner of our Education Technology Medal for 2024 has certainly arrived at novel ways of involving his students in Design and Technology. He is Richard Harris, Head of the Art and Design Faculty at Raynes Park High School in London. Within that role, he teaches Design and Technology GCSE, Art, Design BTEC, and Key Stage 3 Design. Switching on A good example of Richard's approach to using tech in the classroom is how he used Augmented Reality (AR). As Richard tells it, "[I] first came across that when I saw students playing…

  • Reflecting on Three Years as Chair of the IET Central London Network Committee

    Three years ago, I stepped into the role of Chair of the Central London Network Committee, a position that has been a rewarding leadership journey. Over the past 36 months, I have had the privilege of organising about 30 monthly events, each one a testament to the dedication and innovation of our team. From Space Technology, Cyber Security in Railways through to Solar Farming, our events have not only educated but also inspired a community of enthusiasts and professionals, allowing us in staying true to the IET’s vision to Inform, Inspire and Influence! One of the most significant achievements during my tenure has been the growth and development of our team. When I first took the helm, the committee was a close-knit dedicated group. Today, we have a robust team of volunteers, each bringing…

    Rimesh Patel
    Rimesh Patel

  • The IET Achievement Medals 2025 are now open for nominations

    The IET Achievement Medals celebrate the incredible talent within engineering and technology, and there is a wide range of categories to recognise people who have made a real impact in their industry, academia or as an IET Volunteer. Winning is about much more than just receiving a medal; it can boost careers, promote companies, and inspire others into engineering. What it would mean to someone you know? Richard Harris, 2024 Achievement Medal winner said about his win, "It felt amazing to have my passion for innovation and education recognised. This award means so much to me because it highlights the impact of bringing engineering to the forefront of students' learning experiences, and it reaffirms the power of education to inspire future innovators". The IET wants to hear about the person…

    Nicole Tiebosch
    Nicole Tiebosch

  • From Traffic Jams to Smooth Journeys: The Story of M25 Junction 10

    The IET London Network’s Friday Lunch Lecture for February (held on a Thursday this time!), featured Jonathan Wade, a senior manager at the Highways Agency, who provided an in-depth look at the M25 Junction 10 project. From Traffic Jams to Smooth Journeys: The Story of M25 Junction 10 The M25 Junction 10 project, also known as the A3/M25 traffic jam project, is a significant undertaking aimed at improving one of the busiest sections of the UK's motorway network. Jonathan Wade , the senior manager responsible for this project, shared valuable insights into the complexities and challenges faced during its execution. Introduction and Background Jonathan began by introducing himself and providing a brief overview of his career, which started with a mechanical engineering apprenticeship…

  • Tragedy in Japan - three disasters in one day

    On this day in (engineering) history… March 11, 2011 – The Fukushima Disaster – Earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident in one. The most powerful earthquake in Japanese history caused a massive tsunami, three nuclear meltdowns, the deaths of nearly 20,000 people, with another 6,000 people injured and 2,500 people missing. Even ten years later, almost a quarter of a million people were still living in temporary accommodation of one sort or another. This was the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami (the Great East Japan Earthquake, or 3.11 – san ten ichi-ichi in Japanese), which swamped 2,000km (1,242 miles) of Japan’s northeast coast. It also caused the most serious nuclear accident since the explosion at Chornobyl in 1986. Powers greater than we can imagine On the cold, wintery afternoon…

  • Applications for Young Woman Engineer of the Year 2025 are now open!

    Who will you nominate? Saturday 8 March was International Women’s Day, a celebration of women – past and present - across the globe, and in our everyday lives. As has become tradition, to mark the occasion we opened applications for our 2025 Young Woman Engineer (YWE) of the Year awards on Saturday. But wait – this year there’s a twist! For the first time ever, we will be enabling nominations for YWE. This means that if you know an exceptional woman engineer or apprentice who deserves recognition, all you need to do is share their name, email and organisation via the nomination link and they will be directly invited to apply. Remember, there are four prizes that make up our YWE awards, each with their own criteria – click below to learn more about them. The Young Woman Engineer of the…

  • Celebrating Women in AI: Breaking Barriers and Shaping the Future

    As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it's essential to acknowledge the significant contributions women have made in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). While AI continues to revolutionise industries globally, the gender gap in tech remains a pressing issue. This day serves as both a celebration of women in AI and a call to action for greater inclusion and diversity in the field. Understanding AI's need for minimised bias is crucial. Bias can infiltrate AI outputs, data, and algorithm development, often unintentionally. When solutions are developed with a narrow perspective, they inevitably become biased. This isn't out of malice, but rather a consequence of limited viewpoints, leading to outcomes that aren't societally fair. “Papers with at least one female co-author tend to…

  • Railway Systems Integration – Dealing with Complexity (IET Central London Network February Evening Lecture)

    “you cannot outsource integration” The March IET Central London Network evening lecture was something special, as it was in collobaration with our friends from the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers . Our guest speaker was Emma Davey , head of engineering for the Transport for London Docklands Light Railway , and the aim was to provide the full lecture theatre at Savoy Place an insight into her vast experience of dealing with complexity whilst delivering UK railway projects. Emma has been both client and supplier, and she was to draw on her experience of delivering the Jubilee Line Extension and Crossrail . She identified five key themes whilst dealing with Railway Systems Integration¹: Responsibility Complexity Staged Delivery Scope Stakeholders Of these bullets two…

  • Frugal visions of the connected future: cheaper and self-organised wireless communications

    Prof. Muhammad Ali Imran is the winner of the IET Wireless Communications achievement medal. His vision of the future is more connected, inclusive and…cheaper Professor Muhammad Ali Imran has won the 2024 IET Wireless Communications achievement medal for his work on energy-efficient and self-organising digital technologies and wireless communication infrastructure. He is also the Dean of Graduate Studies and Transnational Education for the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Glasgow, where he set up the Communication, Sensing, and Imaging Hub, which has pioneered 6G technologies and energy-efficient, self-organised cellular networks. Past in Brief Muhammad arrived in the UK more than twenty-five years ago on a scholarship from the Government of Pakistan as well as…

  • Three things that happened this week

    Hope for cyber security in the age of quantum computing With hopes for the future of quantum computing come fears of the implications for cybersecurity. Researchers in Switzerland have developed a new communications system hardened by quantum-resistant encryption, which will shield communications systems from quantum computing-powered attacks. A number, not a name. Swiss technology developer SEALSQ presented the system called ‘QS7001 ’, in January, at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The company describes its Quantum Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (Quantum ASIC) as a breakthrough in semiconductor design. QS7001 uses a chip with two embedded quantum-resistant encryption protocols. Another feature is a dramatically reduced data transmission time, making it far harder to attack…

  • Because we need engineers from all walks of life

    IET Awards can help people from a wide range of backgrounds access career-progressing opportunities. Zahra D’Souza is currently in the second year of her master’s degree in systems engineering at Warwick University. As an IET Future Talent Award winner, she’s seen the benefits of this scheme first-hand, and believes it can greatly improve the diversity of the engineering industry by helping a wider range of young people access opportunities and higher education. Both are key to nurturing the next generation of engineers, she notes. “Thanks to the financial element of my Launch scholarship, I have the opportunity to apply for a wider range of internships,” she explains. “I also have the chance to establish and grow my network at special events that give me the chance to meet other female…

  • Post-War Progress: the Promise of Electricity to Transform British Kitchens

    Guest blog by Orla Latham , University of Leeds In this blogpost I show how The Electrical Age magazine published by the Electrical Association for Women (EAW) provides insights into domestic innovation in the latter stages of the Second World War. Specifically, I look at volume 4 (1944-46) to examine how the EAW promoted the Bradford and Poplar model kitchens to show how electricity could transform kitchens into spaces of modernity and efficiency. I also offer guidance on how researchers can delve into the fully digitised Electrical Age – a key resource for understanding the technological and cultural shifts in post-war Britain – to uncover more about the intersection of technology, culture and everyday wartime life. As World War 2 approached its final phase and plans for D-Day developed…

  • The revolver’s revolution in engineering

    On this day in (engineering) history… February 25, 1836 - Samuel Colt Patents the Colt Paterson Revolver "There is nothing that cannot be produced by machinery." – Samuel Colt, 1854 When a new machine or device is patented, it has the potential to save life, add to life or take it. Or, by allowing people to protect themselves, save life. Either way, Samuel Colt's Paterson Revolver will change handguns forever. A Curious Child Samuel Colt was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1814. His father was a farmer turned city businessman, while his mother died of tuberculosis when Samuel was 6 years old. His three sisters would also pass away at a young age. His father eventually remarried. When Samuel was eleven, his father indentured him to a farmer from Glastonbury, where he did chores…

  • The Future of Lasers in Manufacturing: Advancing Precision, Speed, and Efficiency

    Manufacturing has always been a dynamic sector, continuously evolving with advancements in technology. Over the past few decades, lasers have played a crucial role in reshaping production processes, enabling manufacturers to achieve higher precision, speed, and efficiency. From cutting and welding to marking and additive manufacturing, laser technology has become indispensable across industries. However, the future of lasers in manufacturing promises even more transformative possibilities, driven by advancements in fiber lasers, ultrafast lasers, and AI-driven laser systems. One of the most promising developments in laser technology is the continued improvement in ultrafast lasers, particularly femtosecond and picosecond lasers. These lasers operate at incredibly short pulse durations, enabling…

  • Cementing a solid future for carbon free concrete

    The winner of the Sir Henry Royce Medal is laying the foundations of a firm future for decarbonised concrete Fragkoulis Kanavaris is the 2024 winner of the IET's Sir Henry Royce Medal for his work in lowering the carbon content of concrete. He is Arup's global Concrete Materials Specialist Lead and the organisation's global lead for Concrete Decarbonisation. He graduated with a Master's in Civil and Structural Engineering at the University of Liverpool in 2012 before pursuing a PhD at Queen's University, Belfast, in 2017. After a brief spell at the Universidade do Minho as a Visiting Research Fellow, he joined Arup. The fascination with concrete is something Fragkoulis traces to his father. "I have to give part of this to my father because he is also a structural engineer (retired). When…

  • Research opportunity: Connecting suffragettes, technology and society

    The IET Archives are excited to announce a WRoCAH funded Collaborative Doctoral Award project with the University of Leeds - Connecting suffragettes, technology and society: Caroline Haslett’s international correspondence network. This is open to UK and international applicants to study on a full-time or part-time basis. If you are a student with a background in the history of science and/or technology, women’s history, gender history, social history, or international history, this could be the project for you. The deadline for applications is 12 noon (UK time) on Wednesday 5 th March 2025. Project summary One-time suffragette Dame Caroline Haslett (1895-1957) was arguably the most transformative woman of 20th Century Britain outside parliament. While her international work in promoting…

  • Marketing the Mundane – How The Electrical Age Used the Allure of America to Sell Electricity to Women in Britain

    Guest blog by Anna Lowry, University of Leeds Introduction During the mid-20th century, the concept of electricity was largely unappealing to families and households. While its potential was revolutionary, many regarded it as frighteningly dangerous—people often associated the new technology with electrocution accidents, and even for delivering death sentences via the Electric Chair in the US. Meanwhile for some, it was an unseen enigma, a mysterious and almost alien concept, something they used without fully understanding. As a result, it remained cloaked in fear and functional banality. The Electrical Age addressed these concerns, and the EAW not only worked hard to guarantee housewives ‘Safety First’ – that electricity could be safe to use in the home – but also to assure their readers…

    IET Archives
    IET Archives

  • Techniques and Technologies in Electrical Stimulation for Neuromuscular Rehabilitation

    Congratulations to Book Editors, Ian Swain, Jane Burridge and Tamsyn Street and to all the chapter contributors on the publication of this new IET Book: Techniques and Technologies in Electrical Stimulation for Neuromuscular Rehabilitation. About the Book In its simplest form, electrical stimulation is the application of electrical impulses to nerves via electrodes placed over the nerve or muscle or implanted within the body. The aim is to evoke a muscle contraction. People may not be able to activate their own muscles sufficiently to execute effective movement due to damage to the nervous system preventing the signals from the brain reaching the muscles, for example, after a stroke or spinal cord injury, or due to disuse, often because of pain. Electrical stimulation can be used to restore…

  • Women’s work and Electrification: the Second World War intersection

    Guest blog by Otto Macdonald, University of Leeds, and Graeme Gooday, University of Leeds. In this blogpost, I explore the intersection of three important aspects of mid- 20th century British history: the electrification of the nation, the Second World War, and the progression of women’s social status. As previous blogposts showed The Electrical Age, published by the Electrical Association for Women, gives us important insights on women’s evolving relationship with national campaigns for electrification. I look specifically at issues of The Electrical Age in the period 1943 – 1946 to show how it contributed to the wartime cause with articles that highlighted how women’s responsibilities developed during the conflict. Promoting women’s war work, electrical and manual During the Second…

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