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.

  • Speaker Highlight - Intelligent Imaging (Part Nine)

    With the Intelligent Imaging event just around the corner, we are revealing our last few speakers for the day! The event will take place on the 14 October 2016 at IET London: Savoy Place . We are delighted to confirm: Robert A Lamb , Chief Technical Officer (EO), Leonardo. About Robert: Robert directs the Applied Research programme for electro-optic technologies in support of future product development in laser systems and EO sensors for airborne targeting. He has thirty years’ experience as a research scientist in solid state lasers, non-linear optics, low-light level sensing and photonics in both MoD and industry. His main areas of research include solid state lasers for designation, rangefinding and countermeasures, single photon counting 3D imaging lidar, computational imaging and photonics…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • Eurohaptics 2016

    The IET Robotics and Mechatronics TPN recently supported and participated at the Eurohaptics 2016 Conference. Below, our exec team member, Christos Bergeles reports back: Eurohaptics 2016 took place in London, at Imperial College, and was hailed as one of the most successful events in terms of participation and submission. Overall, more than 400 attendees joined the conference, to learn about the achievements presented on more than 90 academic papers. Eurohaptics is among the flagship conferences for haptic interfaces and algorithms, linking strongly to the robotics technologies that the TPN promotes. It was an excellent opportunity for IET to engage with the participants of the conference at our booth, alongside the industrial exhibitors. IET was one of the 21 sponsors of the conference, spanning…

  • Students get to grips with local heritage in Birmingham

    Students will be given a unique opportunity to gain hands on experience at some of Birmingham’s most historic and culturally significant sites as part of a new course equipping them for a career in the culture and heritage sector. Birmingham Museums Trust has teamed up with Birmingham City University to provide one of the only courses in the country which mixes academic training with an integrated year-long on-the-job experience in the heart of some of the UK’s most recognised sites. More details

  • Norway plans world’s first underwater floating tunnel

    Necessity is the mother of invention. One such pressing need is leading Norway to build an engineering marvel: the world’s first underwater floating tunnel. According to reports, western Norway comprises almost 1,200 fjords, which are long, narrow, deep inlets of the sea between high cliffs formed by submergence of a glaciated valley. Because of such geography, which is stunning to see, travelling across the nation’s coastline is a nightmare. Learn more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • Microsoft will ‘solve’ cancer within the next 10 years by treating it like a computer virus, says company

    The human body will eventually be able to be ‘reprogrammed’ back into a healthy state, experts working for the tech company have claimed Learn more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • Check Out The Tactic Women Who Worked For Obama Used When A Man Spoke Over Them

    Try out an effective tactic used by women who work in the White House. Learn more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • IET Scotland Committee 2016-17

    TBC

    Lynsay Callaghan
  • Why Do Projects Fail?

    This is a question that we all as project professionals constantly ask ourselves.  I was conducting a literature search recently for a paper that I am drafting and came across this comic strip which should have resonance with all our members.  Please follow the link and view the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEQWSjWSx4Q Having viewed the video it would be interesting to hear the thoughts of our group members and I am sure that we can all relate to the messages the video contains..... Over to the reader to comment........

    Louis Redding
  • Spotlight on Project Controls Network exec member: Louis Redding

    Louis Redding has been a member of the exec team for 3 years now and I'm very pleased to say he has recently been awarded CEng.   I was keen to know why Louis joined the committee: Louis says " Having attended an engineering exhibition in London a conversation was struck with a fellow passenger who had been to the same event.  That person was the current Chairman ....Alec.  The role of engineering within the economy and the need for qualified engineers quickly became the subject of the discussion.  For me, the choice of engineering was never just a career it is a vocation for life.  Throughout my life the profession has been central to everything I have done.  Whilst the barriers to excellence are high the attainment has served to provide great challenges and satisfaction.   Sadly the fact…

    Joanne Longton
  • Take control of your productivity

    Whether you’re a civil engineer working onsite, an aerospace engineer working in an office or a mechanical engineering apprentice trying to study as well as work on the shop floor, it can be tough to balance everything without getting stressed. Implementing some simple time-management strategies is an obvious first step to getting some control over your day – but how do you use that newly-found time as productively as possible? Here’s a quick look at some popular productivity systems that might work for you. Learn more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • Factories Of The Future: Where Next? A Look Back

    On Wednesday last week, I was at the Factories of the Future: Where next? event, organised by the Control & Automation TPN exec team, and held at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry.   It is a great venue, part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, and operates some of the most advanced manufacturing equipment in the world.     Factories of the future represents the next big revolution in manufacturing – a transition from industrial age to digital age – that will involve complete automation and integration of systems across factory floor, and beyond. The ultimate goal of the future factory will be to seamlessly, safely and securely integrate systems across domains, hierarchies, geographic boundaries, value chains and even life cycle phases. The role of humans will change from…

  • Cybersecurity Challenges And Predictions

    Cybersecurity Challenges and Predictions 7:00 p.m.  Seminar Hall, Bahrain IET Local Network BSE, Juffair,  Kingdom of Bahrain. Sunday 25 Sept. 2016.  Speaker:   Hakem B. Isa,  Executive Security Advisor IBM, USA. Abstract:  Cybersecurity Challenges and Predictions:  A new security reality is here, where… Sophisticated attackers break through conventional safeguards every day. Organized criminals, hacktivists, governments and adversaries are compelled by financial gain, politics and notoriety to attack your most valuable assets. Their operations are well-funded and business-like %u2012 attackers patiently evaluate targets based on potential effort and reward. Their methods are extremely targeted %u2012 they use social media and other entry points to track down people with access, take advantage…

    Prof. Ebrahim Mattar
  • Congratulations to Toronto LN executives

    Congratulations to Rose Almond, Anni Feng and Timothy So to be Toronto LN Chair, Treasurer and Secretary.

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • Facts About Night Vision Technology

    Check out some of the amazing blog posts by Gabby Di, here on Engineering Communities! Night vision technology gives us the ability to see in almost complete darkness. It is mainly used by the military and police forces, but night vision technology can find its use in the civilian world. In this article, we will cover some interesting facts about night vision goggles and other devices. Learn more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • Getting ‘Pretty Muddy’ for charity

    Three apprentices from Sellafield recently took part in the Pretty Muddy Race for Life to raise money for Cancer Research. Mechanical design apprentice Lauren Clarkson, electrical design apprentice Laura Ward and business admin apprentice Bethany Cavanagh stepped up to the challenge on 24 June, taking part in the Pretty Muddy Race for Life 2016 at Tatton Park in Cheshire. Learn more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • STEM Seeds Planted Early

    For younger learners, the key to capturing and maintaining this interest is to engage them in STEM learning daily. Finding math and science connections in everyday life and using those instances to demonstrate basic principles can be an effective way of building a lifelong interest in STEM subjects, inside and outside of the classroom. Playing with blocks might be the gateway to an engineering career, taking on a simple coding exercise may lead to a lifetime fascination with technology. The possibilities are endless if we can help young learners access the appropriate resources. Learn more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • Astronomers unveil most detailed map of the Milky Way to date

    Astronomers have unveiled the most detailed map to date of the Milky Way, after charting the positions of more than 1bn stars with stunning precision. The map, based on observations from the European Space Agency’s Gaia probe, still only represents about 1% of the Milky Way’s stars, but is already 20 times more complete than any previous observations of the night sky. Learn more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member in Space
  • Hinkley Point to be given 'green light' by Theresa May

    The Hinkley Point nuclear power station looks set to be given the go ahead within days after the French firm EDF was reportedly told it has been approved. Read more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • Amazon Echo: What can Alexa do and what services are compatible?

    Amazon Echo is a hands-free speaker controlled with your voice. It features a personal assistant called Alexa, who will perform various tasks for you and control various systems. Read more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • Speaker Highlight - Intelligent Imaging (Part Eight)

    The joint IET Vision and Imaging Network and Knowledge Transfer Network event Intelligent Imaging is soon to take place on the 14 October 2016 at IET London: Savoy Place . We are excited to announce that our eighth speaker for the day is: Andrew Schofield , Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham. About Andrew: Andrew Schofield has a BEng in Electronics, a PhD in Neuroscience and a PG-Diploma in Psychology. He is a multidisciplinary thinker whose work crosses the boundaries between Psychology and Computer Science. After receiving his PhD Andrew completed a Research Fellowship in Computer Vision and Neural Networks at Brunel University and then worked for a year in the Civil Service as an Image Processing expert before returning to academia as a Research Fellow in Psychology…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NEWS: Have You Downloaded The CPD TWAVES Poster Yet?

    From January 2017, IET members with designatory letters may be chosen to have their previous year’s records reviewed.  In the lead up to this time, we want to ensure that everyone understands the different types of activities that can contribute toward their CPD.  We have produced a poster which explains the simple acronym TWAVES which represents the different categories of CPD recognised by the IET.  What are TWAVES?   The IET categorise CPD activities in to six main categories: T raining courses; W ork experience; A cademic study; V olunteering; E vents and seminars; S elf-study.  The new TWAVES poster, available in two sizes, is now available to download.  To help you share this knowledge the poster below can be downloaded from our website  and placed on work notice boards, handed out at…

    Kathryn Bain
  • Calling innovative SMEs to solve real-life NHS issues

    A new R&D Horizontal Innovation Programme for SMEs to the value of £35,000 has launched by the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and IET. This innovative programme will fund and assist an SME (from any industry sector) in adapting its own existing technology solution from design to commercialisation in the healthcare sector.* Application forms and more details are available online. The opportunity will be awarded to the business that best demonstrates a technology solution in the healthcare sector, in particular one that addresses the current NHS challenges within Emergency Care - Critical Care and Intensive Care Units. The proposal should aim to solve a real-life issue within NHS patient care, which could include anything from initial patient transportation through to recovery.

  • Calling Innovative SMEs To Solve Real-life NHS Issues

    A new R&D Horizontal Innovation Programme for SMEs to the value of £35,000 has launched by the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and IET. This innovative programme will fund and assist an SME (from any industry sector) in adapting its own existing technology solution from design to commercialisation in the healthcare sector.*  Application forms and more details are available online . The opportunity will be awarded to the business that best demonstrates a technology solution in the healthcare sector, in particular one that addresses the current NHS challenges within Emergency Care - Critical Care and Intensive Care Units. The proposal should aim to solve a real-life issue within NHS patient care, which could include anything from initial patient transportation through to recovery.

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member
  • Speaker Highlight - Challenges In Tribology (Part Two)

    The second confirmed speaker for the two day event Challenges in Tribology , produced by the IET Tribology Network has been announced! Doctor Henry Begg , Senior Project Leader, Surface Engineering at TWI Ltd. Henry will be speaking as part of the second day of the event 'Materials and Coatings for extreme environments' on the 17 March 2017. About Henry: Dr Henry Begg is a Senior Project Leader within the Surface Engineering section at TWI Ltd, where he manages a variety of thermal and cold spray projects on behalf of TWI’s industrial members. Having studied for an undergraduate degree in materials science at Cambridge University and completed a PhD at the University of Oxford looking into novel processing of aluminium alloys (including manufacture via thermal spraying), he is now involved…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member