Welcome to the Community Insights blog!

This blog features posts from and about the EngX community. Want to contribute? Read our blogging guide to help you get started.

  • Green skills need to be about more than just cutting carbon emissions

    The UK isn’t the global industrial powerhouse it once was. One area where it’s an undisputed champion though is in producing top of the range wildlife and nature documentaries. Not so long ago, these were an excuse for David Attenborough to show us a parade of beautifully filmed sequences of exotic wildlife in their native habitats. With Planet Earth III , just finished broadcasting but still available via BBC on-demand services, the focus has switched dramatically. Conservation isn’t just about preventing endangered species from going extinct at an alarming rate. The stories of these animals is inextricably linked with climate change and the need to reduce carbon emissions. And finding alternatives to the rapacious techniques that are devastating habitats across the globe isn’t going to…

  • Technology can’t overcome net zero barriers without the right skills in place

    Recent attempts to achieve a global consensus on what needs to be done to tackle climate change, and how quickly, have generated a lot of talk, but at least there’s a consensus gradually emerging. With a broad acknowledgement even by countries that rely on fossil fuel revenue that something does need to be done, attention switches to the question of ‘how’. Politicians who blithely throw talk of ‘innovative technologies’ into the debate, in the hope that the boffins will eventually come up with something to match their pledges, may be hoping that artificial intelligence will provide a silver bullet for identifying ways of reducing carbon emissions without having a devastating (and politically unpopular) impact on modern life. The truth, as engineers will be well aware, is that while AI is…

  • Which green skills are missing, and how does the world fill the gap?

    Now that the dust has settled on COP28 there’s a feeling that the politicians who finally hammered out a resolution all the countries involved could sign up to will be looking around with a sense of ‘Well, who’s going to make this happen then?’. Whether the semantics of making a transition to renewables rather than phasing out fossil fuels turns out to make any significant difference to how the net zero agenda plays out, the IET spoke up in UAE with events to highlight the results of an important new survey that identified an underappreciated obstacle. In August and September 2023, The IET commissioned independent research agency YouGov to quiz more than two thousand engineering employers from all over the world about their current priorities and challenges around climate change. The focus…

  • A World First: A Bridge Suspended In The Sky, Anchored To The Ground

    On this day in (engineering) history… Menai Bridge, the world’s first modern suspension bridge, opens January 30, 1826 It is January 30th, 1826. The moment everyone has waited years to see has finally arrived. A crowd has gathered on this chilly, grey January morning to watch the ceremonial cutting of a ribbon, musical accompaniment from a band, to open a new bridge. Today is momentous because the ceremonial is to open the Menai Bridge, the world’s first iron suspension bridge. Before the bridge opened, travel along the road from London to Holyhead, the closest port to Ireland, would take 36 hours and involved crossing the Menai Strait by boat. The waters of the Strait can be treacherous. Before the bridge, boats crossing the Strait in either direction would have to deal with the four…

  • Engineering worries of a climate changing world

    How are engineering employers thinking about climate change? The IET’s latest annual skills survey tells us… Climate change is worrying engineers and their businesses around the world. In China, this nervousness is shared by 98% of engineering organisations surveyed. That figure declines to 91% in Brazil. Even in the UK, the country least anxious about the issue, 65% of respondents said they are concerned or very concerned about the impact of climate change on their engineering business. Southern discomfort As we can see, it is countries in the global south that are most worried by the risks associated with global warming. When the subject moves to resilience in the face of the potential consequences of a heated world, it is these countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and China…

  • The Frisbee, Older Than You Think

    On this day in (engineering) history… The frisbee goes on sale for the first time It is a Wednesday in January 1957, the 23 rd to be exact, - there is snow on the ground with more on the way. But in the nation’s toy stores, there is something to get everyone looking forward to lazy, happy days in summer. A new toy, that looks like a flying-saucer has just appeared on the shelves. Its inventor used to call it the ‘Pluto Platter’. Next year, the Wham-O toy company (has there ever been a better named toy maker?) call it the ‘Frisbee’. Will it ever catch on? Walter Frederick Morrison promoting his Pluto Platters Like so many stories, this one doesn’t begin where everyone thinks it does. Back in 1937, 17-year-old Walter Frederick Morrison, from Richfield, Utah and his girlfriend Lucile…

  • O-Pen To the Future. The application of renewable light & power dynamics. The virtual Neutral monitor in EV and fixed wiring (IET Central London Network January Evening Lecture)

    It may have been a cold winters night outside, but a lot of light was shone by an ensemble cast on the challenges surrounding Energy Transition and the widespread adoption of renewable technologies. The first of our guest speakers was George Ashley-Cound of Lightworks Ltd . George has had a long and varied career supplying lighting and power designs to the entertainment business and more than 50 of the world’s most luxurious hotels but he was rightly proud of one of his major successes, installing a solar farm at the Calabash Hotel in Grenada. The solar farm made a quick return on the investment and is now a major producer of electricity for the hotel. George thought this was a pathway to a new career, making Caribbean hotels self-sufficient. Alas, the global pandemic intervened, and George…

  • Pointing to the Pole, finding Magnetic South

    On this day in (engineering) history… January 17 th , 1909 - Edgworth David, Douglas Mawson, and Alistair Mackay become the first to reach the Magnetic South Pole It is a still bright summer night. The wind is blowing hard, there are kilometres of snow beneath their feet and the temperature is somewhere in the -20s °C. This is Antarctica and three men who are by now exhausted, hungry and cold have just arrived at the Magnetic South Pole. In a short, solemn ceremony they plant a flag and claim the area for the British Empire. The three men are Professor Edgworth David, a Welsh-Australian Professor of Geology at Sydney University, Douglas Mawson, who lectured in minerology at the University of Adelaide, surgeon Alistair Mackay. They make up the core of the scientific team of Ernest Shackleton…

    EngX Editorial
    EngX Editorial

  • The Benefits of Digitalisation for Energy Transition (IET Central London Network October Evening Lecture)

    Man-Maths. Noun: the process of making the hopelessly unaffordable seem unequivocally financially logical. See also: denial, head in sand, massive balloon. Man-maths was the concept Rod Buchanan used to illustrate how head over heart prevailed when he made the financially driven decision to change cars from a large three litre Audi to a Tesla. This was not an easy choice as the car, known as “ Harry ”, was obviously part of the family. Rod's journey from the defence industry (fast jets) through autonomous systems (R2D2) to becoming a Tesla owning Chief Technology Officer of Amp X has happened at a time of Energy Transition. More and more households are adopting technologies such as Electric Vehicles, Heat Pumps and Airconditioning which add to the load on the distribution grid whilst only…

  • Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Technology in Modern Telehealth Systems

    Congratulations to Book Editors, Agbotiname Imoize, Dr. Chandrashekhar Meshram, AWOTUNDE Joseph Bamidele and Dinh-Thuan Do and to all of their chapter contributors on the publication of this new IET book: Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Technology in Modern Telehealth Systems About the Book The expansion of telehealth services is enabling healthcare professionals to consult, diagnose, advise or perform tasks remotely, enabling them to treat more patients in their own homes or consult on cases on the other side of the world. The security of sensitive user information is critical to effective and efficient delivery of healthcare services. Artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology are identified as key drivers of emerging telehealth systems, enabling efficient delivery…

  • Clouds gather on the Horizon

    What does the Horizon scandal say about software testing, standards and accountability? Could it happen again or are we now better prepared and guarded against such human frailty? It isn’t often a TV drama strikes at the national consciousness and changes the law. A famous example would be the BBC’s ‘Cathy Come Home’ in 1966. Now we have ‘ Mr Bates v The Post Office ’. The drama starring Toby Jones, describes the campaign by a sub-postmaster to clear his name and that of hundreds of others convicted of an array of offences from fraud to theft to false accounting. The common factor was the evidence provided by an online accounting system built by Fujitsu. The scandal has gone down as the largest miscarriage of justice in British legal history. The background is this : in 1999 the Post…

  • Innovative infectious disease Professor awarded top Engineering Research Prize

    A researcher leading a new generation of tools and technologies for infectious disease surveillance, testing and care has been awarded our top A F Harvey Engineering Research Prize worth £350,000. Rachel McKendry is Professor of Biomedical Nanoscience at University College London and Director of the i-sense EPSRC IRC in Early Warning Sensing Systems for Infectious Diseases. Her research lies at the cutting edge of quantum technologies, deep learning and telecommunications for infectious diseases and public health. McKendry led the i-sense team to help tackle a range of infections from HIV to the global response to COVID-19, developing new diagnostics and analysing data for public health surveillance. She is also working to transform the ability to accurately interpret HIV results with the…

  • Machine Learning in Medical Imaging and Computer Vision

    Congratulations to Book Editors, Amita Nandal, Liang Zhou, Arvind Dhaka, Todor Ganchev and Farid Nait-Abdesselam and to all of their chapter contributors on the publication of this new IET Book: Machine Learning in Medical Imaging and Computer Vision About the Book Medical images can highlight differences between healthy tissue and unhealthy tissue and these images can then be assessed by a healthcare professional to identify the stage and spread of a disease so a treatment path can be established. With machine learning techniques becoming more prevalent in healthcare, algorithms can be trained to identify healthy or unhealthy tissues and quickly differentiate between the two. Statistical models can be used to process numerous images of the same type in a fraction of the time it would take…

  • Engaging with our Young Professionals Committee

    Our Young Professionals Committee (YPC) recently gathered in Glasgow for its inaugural in-person meeting of this current session. Our 13 committee members are dedicated volunteers from all around the globe, all sharing a common enthusiasm, expertise and determination to enhance the appeal of the engineering and technology sector for aspiring professionals. As the Young Professionals Coordinator and Secretary for the Committee, it was my responsibility to bring together our committee members for a productive weekend. The planning started many months beforehand. Once the location had been decided by the staff team, I researched suitable meeting venues and hotels in the city and managed all of the logistics that comes with bringing together a group of volunteers and colleagues…

  • Radio TechCon, a conference for the UK Radio Community, held at the IET

    Simply Unique. There are several media conferences in the UK each year, but most follow the money, focussing on TV and streaming services. There’s one notable exception, held at the IET in London each year, Radio TechCon. This event isn’t just unique because it focusses on radio, but also because of the values it embodies. Topics covered aren’t only technical, the overlap between technology, social issues and accessibility are regularly covered, and 10% of tickets are offered free to those who would otherwise be unable to attend. It doesn’t exist to make money, it’s there because the organisers believe there should be a conference for those working in radio engineering, and it should be accessible to all. The talks are not just for engineers, they are intended to be useful to everyone with…

  • The Artistic Application of Extraordinary Engineering (IET Central London Christmas Lecture)

    The Artistic Application of Extraordinary Engineering (IET Central London Christmas Lecture) "To understand your present, you must understand the past" explained Mark Dakin, Principal of TAIT, at IET Savoy Place, hosted by the IET Central London Network at their Christmas 2023 evening lecture. The evening was introduced and had opening remarks from Mamta Singhal MBE BEng MSc MBA CEng FIET and IET Trustee. His talk covered how from the Greeks to the modern day, all eras utilised technology in theatre productions. He presented a chronological order (1958 to 2020) of how different technologies were used by the most popular musicians of the day and how mega events fueled the need for technology innovations, whether that be from the technical milestones of 1958 that used electronic lighting…

    Rimesh Patel
    Rimesh Patel

  • Medical Imaging Informatics: Machine learning, deep learning and big data analytics

    Congratulations to Book Editors, Mamoon Rashid, Vishal Goyal, Ali Kashif Bashir and Saqib Hakak and to all of their chapter contributors on the publication of this new IET Book: Medical Imaging Informatics: Machine learning, deep learning and big data analytics About the Book Medical imaging informatics play an important role in the effectiveness of present-day healthcare systems. Advancement of artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and internet of things technologies contribute greatly to various healthcare applications. Artificial intelligence techniques are contributing to improvements with traditionally human-based systems and ensuring that the accuracy of prediction and diagnosis is being continually enhanced. The development of reliable and accurate healthcare models is becoming…

  • 20 ideas for gifts for Engineers!

    'Tis the season to be jolly, and nothing spreads more joy than the perfect Christmas gift. So, how do you choose the perfect gift for an Engineer? And, if you're an Engineer yourself, which of the gift suggestions in our list of '20 ideas for gifts for Engineers' would you love to receive? Let us know in the comments! DIY Electronics Kits : building circuits, gadgets, or small robots. Multitool Pen: A pen that doubles as a screwdriver, ruler, stylus, and more. 3D Printing Pen: create 3D drawings and structures by hand. Engineering Books : technical reads or books exploring the history of engineering. Coffee Mug Warmer: For those late-night design sessions. Puzzle or Brain Teasers: mechanical puzzles or Rubik's cubes to engage problem-solving skills. Subscription to Tech Magazines…

  • Volunteering and you, volunteering and me

    Hi, my name's Julie Hudson and I'm a Local Network Manager in our Communities team. I've been with the IET for over 16 years now, working with volunteers for all that time. I love my job and supporting local network volunteers in the UK with their aims and objectives. Volunteering is such an important part of the IET - we simply couldn't be without you! So, I've written this blog to explain how important volunteering can be for your own self-benefit. We want to make sure you get as much out of volunteering as you put into it. That’s why we can support you in your role by offering a dedicated member of staff to support and advise you and a suite of online tools to help you fulfil our objectives. What are the benefits of volunteering? Volunteering for the IET offers numerous benefits, both…

  • Meet Shinu Yohannan

    Shinu Yohannan works for Turbo Power Systems as a Principal Engineer, which focuses on rolling stock product development. “My role looks at product development, testing, validation, technical documentation and customer support.” Becoming a Chartered Engineer (CEng) Shinu tells us about how he was inspired to become an engineer by his father, who served in Airwork Vinnell (Middle East) for the US Air Force. As a child, Shinu was attracted to all things science and maths, so his father encouraged him to pursue engineering. “During my engineering studies, I recognised that Professional Registration is the highest recognition in the engineering profession globally.” The next step in his career was to become Professionally Registered, as he tells us how he believes that engineers should…

  • Gasping for breath, when a city almost asphyxiated

    On this day in (engineering) history… The Great London Smog, December 5, 1952 Step outdoors on the evening of December 5, 1952 and you will be met by a fog; a sickly, yellow brown fog so thick that in places, such as east London’s Isle of Dogs, people couldn’t see their feet. Over the coming days, it is so dark, you spot policemen using flares to see around them and provide a point of reference for traffic and pedestrians. Soon, you feel your eyes, throat and lungs develop a burning sensation. You start coughing and struggle to breathe. The next day is the same, and the next. The smog will remain stuck over large swathes of London for the next four days. The winter of 1952 was particularly cold . This day opened with a chill bite in the air, clear skies, light winds and moist air at ground…

  • Mission to Mars – Disappointingly Successful

    On this day in (engineering) history… Stephen Phillips November 28, 2023 Mariner 4 blasts off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, bound for Mars It is a fine winter morning at Launch Complex 12 on Cape Canaveral, Florida. Perhaps it is too cold for NASA’s mission controllers to sweat, while they nervously wait for the two-stage rocket sitting on the pad to lift off. Today is November 28 th , 1964, the vehicle is carrying Mariner 4, and at 9:22AM local time, the engines will ignite and (hopefully) send the space craft on its 228 day voyage to Mars. Up to now, there have been six failed attempts to send a probe to Mars, five by the USSR and Nasa’s failed Mariner 3. Mariner 4 now carries the hopes of everyone in the space agency. Mariner 3 made it to earth orbit only for a metal fairing…

    Former Staff Member
    Former Staff Member

  • Hyperloop Edinburgh (HYPED) events - talk & visit report

    The SESAME ( South East Scotland Afternoon Meetings and Events) 2023 events programme continued with a talk given by five members of the Hyperloop Edinburgh (HYPED) team in October with a follow up Visit to the HYPED facilities at the University of Edinburgh School of Engineering at the King’s Buildings campus in November. Both events were organised by our Secretary Ian Smith who also provided the event report below. HYPED is an interdisciplinary student team dedicated to progressing the concept of the Hyperloop transportation system by producing pod prototypes, conducting full-scale research, expanding the Hyperloop community and raising awareness of STEM. The project has been running since 2015 with a team of up to 150 undergraduates of different STEM disciplines, working in collaboration…

  • New IET report explores neurodiversity within engineering and technology

    The results of a new IET report published this week reveals there is an urgent need to make engineering and technology more inclusive for neurodivergent people – and provides practical guidance to employers, managers and colleagues of neurodiverse professionals and external partners on how to build a more inclusive profession. In 2022, the IET conducted a survey within our volunteer community and, of those who responded, 19% identified as definitely or possibly neurodivergent. As a continuation to this survey, we carried out further qualitative research, as well as a series of 10 focus groups with neurodiverse engineers and technicians to better understand and increase awareness of the lived experiences of neurodivergent people within the engineering and technology sectors. The report found…

Community Rules & Guidelines