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.

  • ‘A MANY-SIDED CRYSTAL’: THE QUAKER PHYSICIST & ELECTRICAL ENGINEER SILVANUS PHILLIPS THOMPSON (1851–1916)

    ‘A MANY-SIDED CRYSTAL’: THE QUAKER PHYSICIST & ELECTRICAL ENGINEER SILVANUS PHILLIPS THOMPSON (1851–1916)

    Please see a revised programme below for this event to commemorate Silvanus Phillips Thompson, who died one hundred years ago.   This workshop should be of interest to historians of science & technology; historians of instruments; historians of intellectual property; historians of science & religion; Quaker historians and historians of the book.   Although the registration deadline is 13th September, places are limited so early registration is strongly advised. Register here (standard fee £25): tinyurl.com/AfLevents   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ‘A MANY-SIDED CRYSTAL’: THE QUAKER PHYSICIST & ELECTRICAL ENGINEER SILVANUS PHILLIPS THOMPSON (1851–1916)   https://silvanuspthompson.wordpress.com     A Workshop to Mark the Centenary of his…

    Anne Locker
  • Speaker Highlights – The Ethics Of Acceptable Safety

    Speaker Highlights – The Ethics Of Acceptable Safety

    We are delighted to announce the two confirmed speaker for the IET Functional Safety TPN ‘The Ethics of Acceptable Safety’ event, on the 25th November 2016 at IET London: Savoy Place. Join us at this exciting and informative free event to find out more and get involved in  the discussions and networking.   Online registraiton is open. Register to attend. About the event: Presented jointly by speakers from the High Integrity Systems Engineering Group at the University of York and the Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre at the University of Leeds. This tutorial addresses the dilemmas and duties of engineers when dealing with ethical concerns surrounding safety risk management decisions. The aim of the day is to provide attendees with the knowledge and guidance to identify the ethical questions…

    Lynsay Callaghan
  • Get Involved - Are You Interested In Volunteering For The IET Radar, Sonar And Navigation Network?

    Get Involved - Are You Interested In Volunteering For The IET Radar, Sonar And Navigation Network?

    The Radar, Sonar and Navigation (RS&N) Network is the home of an extensive community of scientists and engineers with an interest in all aspects of radar, sonar and navigation systems   The RS&N Network facilitates sharing and understanding of technical information and knowledge for the benefit of IET members and the wider community.  We provide a platform for the community to exchange knowledge and engage networking opportunities, both online and face to face, with members from across industry and academia.   We are looking for interested scientists and engineers to join the RS&N Executive Committee, helping to shape the direction and priorities of the network. We are looking for people who are passionate about their field of work and want to be more engaged, who want to extend their knowledge…

  • Airlander 10 Completes Successful Test Flight

    Airlander 10 Completes Successful Test Flight

    Its excellent to see that the Hybrid Air Vehicles, Airlander 10 airship has just completed a successful test flight from its hanger at Cardington Airfield.  The airship is the world's longest aircraft and during its test flight flew up to 500 feet and reached speeds of around 35 knots. I've flown on many different types of aircraft and on my list of aircraft that I'd like to fly in is an airship, so hopefully in time HAV will be able to secure investment to develop a passenger model.   Whats your thoughts, would you like to see passenger airships make a return to the skies and if so would you be prepared to fly in one? Further details on the test flight can be found here. There's also a great video you can view here  on our IET.tv YouTube channel.  (Photo courtesy of the Engineer website).

    Deborah-Claire McKenzie
  • New IET Book - Fundamentals Of Systems Engineering For Defense Systems Applications

    New IET Book - Fundamentals Of Systems Engineering For Defense Systems Applications

    Fundamentals of Systems Engineering for Defense Applications is a user guide to systems engineering with an emphasis on applications in the defence sector and a practical approach based on putting the theory and tools to work in real-life situations.   The book is split into four sections to provide a complete introduction to systems engineering theory and practice: (i) core systems engineering processes; (ii) applications of core processes; (iii) advanced topics in systems engineering; and (iv) systems engineering management and development. Find out more and order here. Topics covered include: -  an introduction to systems engineering -  the phases of systems engineering -  system trade studies -  performance-driven requirements -  system performance evaluation -  architecting process - …

    Lynsay Callaghan
  • New IET Code Of Practice on the cyber security of ports and ports systems

    New IET Code Of Practice on the cyber security of ports and ports systems

    A number of incidents at European ports have significantly raised the profile of cyber security and the risks associated with the complex systems used by port owners and operators. To help senior port personnel address this emerging security issue the Institution of Engineering and Technology (the IET) have worked in close association with the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to produce this new code of practice. This code of practice provides actionable good practice advice on areas such as: Developing a Cyber Security Assessment and Plan Devising the most appropriate mitigation measures Having the correct structures, roles, responsibilities and processes in place Handling security breaches and incidents Highlighting the key national…

  • Speaker Highlights - Intelligent Imaging (Part Two)

    Speaker Highlights - Intelligent Imaging (Part Two)

    The Intelligent Imaging seminar (a joint event between the IET Vision and Imaging Network and the Knowledge Transfer Network) is due to take place on the 14 October 2016 at IET London: Savoy Place . We are excited to announce that our second confirmed speaker for the day is.. Alex Knight , Principal Research Scientist at National Physical Laboratory About Alex: Alex received his BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Kent at Canterbury in 1990. He then moved to the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, where his PhD research focused on the molecular biology and biochemistry of myosin molecular motors in plants and animals. After receiving his PhD from the University of Cambridge in 1994, he moved to the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research in Cambridge, MA, USA, as an…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • SpaceX Production Facility Tour

    SpaceX Production Facility Tour

    SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft, it’s business model is based on the premise that the costs of putting people and satellites in space can be significantly reduced if the rockets can be reused. This is because the majority of launch costs come from building the rocket (the fuel is only a small proportion of the costs of launch) so by reusing the first stage rocket, in the same way that commercial airliners make multiple flights the capital costs of rocket design and manufacture can be ‘repaid’ over multiple launches. To achieve this, SpaceX rockets are designed not only to withstand reentry, but also to return to the launch pad or ocean landing site for a vertical landing. In comparison other rockets currently used for orbital and sub orbital flight…

  • Our Committee Members

    Our Committee Members

    All of these events and activities are made possible by the efforts of a dedicated group of volunteers. If you would like to know more about our committee, or would like to volunteer for us, please get in touch with any of the volunteers listed below. Ian Naylor Chairman Ian joined Threepwood in July 2015 as a Principal Consultant and he is a Chartered Electrical Engineer. Prior to this he worked at EA Technology as a Team Manager and Key Account Director.  Ian has worked on many projects around the world including specifications and maintenance documentation.  Ian began his career as a colliery electrician before passing his electrical degree in Huddersfield.  He then worked as a Research and Development Engineer at Merlin Gerin in Leeds before moving to the asset management section of Yorkshire…

    Gemma Hadley
  • IET Diamond Scholarship

    IET Diamond Scholarship

    Watch Mhairi Galloway explain how our IETDiamond scholarship has helped her at university.  Diamond Jubilee Scholarships were awarded for the first time in 2013 and Mhairi started studying at University of Glasgow. Scholarship winners will each receive an IET Scholarship of at least £1,000 per year, for up to three years for Bachelors students and four years for MEng students. Winners will also receive free membership of the IET for the duration of their course, if not already received as an IET Academic Partner with their University. Approximately 100 Scholarships will be available in 2016. Scholarship winners are expected to be ambassadors for the IET and engineering. Find our more about the IET Awards and Diamond Scholarships .

    Lynsay Callaghan
  • Playlist: 5 TEDx Talks from women transforming STEM

    Playlist: 5 TEDx Talks from women transforming STEM

    Take a look at this great TEDx playlist from women who are passionate about STEM. Read more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • Speaker Highlights - Intelligent Imaging

    Speaker Highlights - Intelligent Imaging

    We are delighted to announce our first confirmed speaker for the Intelligent Imaging event, a joint event between the IET Vision and Imaging Network and the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) on the 14 October 2016 at IET London: Savoy Place. Owen Nicholson , Head of Growth at In-Part and Head of Operations at Dyson Robotics Lab, Imperial College. About Owen: Owen is one of the five co-founders has over a decade of experience in early stage R&D management working on various research portfolios including the UK Special Forces and the Nuclear Submarines Programme.  He spent four years building the External Research Programme at Dyson and is now the Head of Operations at the Dyson Robotics Lab.  He also holds the position of Head of Growth for IN-PART, a digital start-up specialising in connecting…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • Engineering and dyslexia, Microsoft windows 10 disability functions.

    Engineering and dyslexia, Microsoft windows 10 disability functions.

    A feature that I have found, but has potential conflict with other, speech recognition systems. Find Control Panel. Look for speech recognition. Have a go,  do not use if you have any other speech recognition system. Microsoft do have a free disability service https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/answerdesk/accessibility

    Brian Reynolds
  • Meet The Most Powerful Woman In Particle Physics

    Meet The Most Powerful Woman In Particle Physics

    Fabiola Gianotti isn’t new to CERN, the Geneva, Switzerland-based research organization that operates the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the world’s biggest particle collider. In fact, the Italian particle physicist was among the CERN scientists who made history in 2012 with the discovery of the Higgs boson. Read more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • 9 Ways Parents Can Combat Gender Stereotypes

    9 Ways Parents Can Combat Gender Stereotypes

    Take a look at some of these ideas to help combat gender stereotypes Read more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • New electrical ebooks in IET library

    New electrical ebooks in IET library

    The library service has recently added a number of new electrical titles to its ebook service . These are available through the Dawsonera service. 17th Edition IET Wiring Regulations: wiring systems and fault finding for installation electricians Brian Scaddan 6th revised edition 2015 9781315725659 •Fully up-to-date with the 17th Edition IET Wiring Regulations: Amendment 3 •Covers all the principles and practice of testing and fault diagnosis for students and non-electricians •This book deals with an area of practice that many students and non-electricians find particularly challenging. It explains how to interpret circuit diagrams and wiring systems, and outlines the principles of testing before explaining how to apply this knowledge to fault finding in electrical circuits. Electrical Installation…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • Launch Of IET 2016 Skills Survey And ‘Engineering Work Experience For All’ Campaign

    Launch Of IET 2016 Skills Survey And ‘Engineering Work Experience For All’ Campaign

    Launch of IET 2016 Skills Survey and ‘Engineering Work Experience for All’ campaign Tuesday, 20 September – 12noon to 3pm, IET London: Savoy Place   You are invited to attend the dual launch of the 2016 IET Skills Survey, together with ‘Engineering Work Experience for All’, a new campaign championing the right of every engineering student to have access to practical experience in the workplace.   A large proportion of engineering employers are not satisfied with the practical and technical skills of school leavers and newly qualified graduates.  The ‘Engineering Work Experience for All’ campaign is designed to rally employers, universities, Government and students to make a range of different work experience opportunities more widespread.   Of course, many employers and universities already…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • Ada Lovelace Day Live! 2016 - Tickets on Sale Now!

    Ada Lovelace Day Live! 2016 - Tickets on Sale Now!

    Ada Lovelace Day is an annual celebration of the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and maths. Ada Lovelace Day Live! is our flagship ‘science cabaret’ event which this year will be held at The IET on the evening of 11 October. Playing host to the UK’s most fabulous women in STEM, ALD Live is an entertaining evening of geekery, comedy and music suitable for everyone over the age of 12. If you’d like to enjoy a taster, take a look at our videos from2015, 2014 and 2013! Read more and book...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • Renewable Energy: Establishing Regulation/Guidelines for Prospective Customers: Linking Renewable Energy Systems to Power Utilities-Power Grids.

    Renewable Energy: Establishing Regulation/Guidelines for Prospective Customers: Linking Renewable Energy Systems to Power Utilities-Power Grids.

    Establishing Regulation/Guidelines for Prospective Customers: Linking Renewable Energy Systems to Power Utilities-Power Grids. IET Workshop I to [WREC 17]:  17th World Renewable Energy Congress. http://www.wrec2016-bahrain.com/ 1.       Renewable Energy Law 2.       Renewable Energy Supporting Bylaws a.       Bylaw 10 – exemptions b.       Bylaw 73 – Energy Efficiency c.       Bylaw 49 – Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund d.       Bylaw 50- Direct Proposals 3.       Strategic Plans that are implementing Renewable Energy 4.       Regulatory Entities Requirements to implement renewable energy projects; Greater Amman Municipality, Ministry of Environments 5.       Instructions of the Engineers Association for Renewable Energy Projects 6.       Types of Renewable Energy and show case of

    Prof. Ebrahim Mattar
  • Discover the Top Ten Career Hacks

    Discover the Top Ten Career Hacks

    If you want to get ahead - your goal has to be professional registration. Our top career hack is to sign up for IET Career Manager now and start working towards professional registration today. Read more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • Developing The X-Factor

    Developing The X-Factor

    The perimeter platforms of the 90's that secured and kept stable most TCP/IP networks might now provide clarity on how networks designed at TCP/IP layer 2 and 3 can help with securing cloud infrastructures i.e. modern networks. Cloud based platforms offer high level of functionality at layer 7, though through standardisation, there are some satisfactory mitigative controls designed. For the agile modern network, compensatory controls through policies and procedures might not provide the granularity of oversight that customers might require. So inherently having those compensatory controls at the lower layers ensures the modern cloud platform has an end to end security posture that is better fir for purpose. The requirement will continue to fuel next gen layer 2 devices and perhaps we might…

  • Meet the women using 'miracle material' graphene to inspire girls into science

    Meet the women using 'miracle material' graphene to inspire girls into science

    If you haven’t been keeping up with science, you’ll be forgiven for not knowing: graphene is going to change the world. Discovered in Manchester in 2004, graphene is a two-dimensional material that's stronger than steel, but also incredibly light. It canconduct electricity and heat. What's more, one sheet - around a metre squared in size and a single atom thick (so thin it can't be seen with the naked eye) - can support the weight of a 4kg cat.  No wonder many have called it a ‘miracle material’. Now, graphene is the subject of an exciting new exhibition at The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester called Wonder Materials: Graphene and Beyond. Read more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • 26 of the most powerful female engineers in 2016

    26 of the most powerful female engineers in 2016

    Nearly every element of our modern lives is a result of the work done by some engineer: running water, electricity, and the internet, as well as our buildings, cars, phones, computers, televisions — even our dating apps. Read more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • Dartmouth graduated more women than men in engineering this year

    Dartmouth graduated more women than men in engineering this year

    Dartmouth just became the first national research university to graduate more women than men in the engineering department. More women have been going into engineering in the last several years, according to theAmerican Society for Engineering Education (AASE), and women made up 37 percent of the class in Dartmouth’s engineering school in 2015. But women tipped the scales this year at a whopping 54 percent at Dartmouth — 34 percent higher than the national average. Read more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member