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  • Ada Lovelace – an enchantress of science

    By Asha Gage, IET Archivist Augusta Ada Byron was born 10 December 1815 in London, the daughter of Baron and Lady Byron (George Gordon Noel Byron and Anne Isabella Noel, née Milbanke). Following the separation of her parents as a small child, Ada was raised by her mother and educated by tutors with a strong focus on mathematics and the sciences, as her mother hoped to deter her from following in the footsteps of her poetic father. Ada was fascinated by mechanical toys and scientific pursuits. At 17 she met the polymath Charles Babbage (1791-1871). Babbage showed Ada his first calculating engine, the Difference Engine, which aimed to automate the production of numerical tables, thereby reducing human error. The engine captured Ada’s imagination and she attended lectures regarding it, examined…

  • Because early exposure to engineering transforms futures

    How the IET Futures Fund helped a team of ten grow from beginners to award-winners. It’s one thing to fund a one-off experience. It’s another to support long-term growth, learning and transformation. For Team Activ8, sustained access to FIRST ® LEGO® League , thanks to funding from the IET Futures Fund has helped them evolve over three years from complete beginners to award-winning innovators. Their story shows why consistency matters. Year after year, they’ve come back stronger, growing not just in numbers, but in mindset, maturity and skill. The IET Futures Fund ensures that teams like Activ8 can keep building, not just their robots, but their futures. Helping young people explore their potential When asked about funding the response from the team is clear…

  • Thermoelectric Research and Sustainable Energy Application

    Engineering has been on the forefront of improving sustainability and reducing Green-gas emission over the years. In the preservation of tangible commodities - conventional refrigeration systems contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change due to the use of harmful refrigerants. Energy consumption also plays a crucial role in the preservation of perishable and biodegradable materials. To address this challenge, research has explored sustainable alternatives, with thermoelectric refrigeration emerging as a more environmentally friendly option. Thermoelectric refrigerators are silent, robust, and offer precise temperature control compared to traditional vapour-compression systems. As engineering continues to drive sustainable practices and support the global net-zero goal, developing…

  • 125 years of grantmaking: Meet the prominent engineers who supported us early on

    10 October 2025 marked 125 years since Foothold made its first financial grant to support engineers and their families. In that long history, tens of millions of pounds have been given to engineers worldwide during their toughest moments. This has only been possible thanks to the generous donations of IET members and corporate supporters. Foothold doesn't get any statutory funding or proceeds from IET membership fees. Members who want to support fellow engineers do so through direct donations to Foothold. To celebrate 125 years of grantmaking, we're combing through the archives to explore: How and why Foothold began The prominent engineers who donated early on The first grant A wartime turning point and the story of Speirs House How our grants work today, and how the need is…

  • Estate planning 101: how you can secure your family’s future

    October is Wills Month at Foothold. Many members of the engineering community have told us they would like more information and guidance on estate planning. So we've teamed up with financ ial advisers at SecondSight to explain the basics and provide a free webinar. Keep reading to learn how you can continue to support your family after you die, and have peace of mind knowing your wishes are known by those close to you. What is estate planning? Wouldn’t it be ideal if we could see into our future and plan accordingly for it? Unfortunately, no one can be certain of what the future holds, but one thing we can do is ensure that our family are looked after. That’s why it’s so important to have the right financial planning in place; so your money and assets (possessions and valuables) go to…

  • The Power of Volunteering in the Manufacturing Technical Network

    Engineering Community: The Power of Volunteering with Ben Unett and Christopher Proudfoot In engineering, technical skills are vital, but they’re only part of the story. What really brings the profession to life is connection. The IET Manufacturing Technical Network (TN) offers a space where professionals can share knowledge, build relationships, and contribute to the wider community. We spoke with two passionate volunteers, Ben Unett and Chris Proudfoot, who’ve found that volunteering has been both personally rewarding and professionally enriching.  In a recent conversation, they shared their experiences of volunteering, the impact it’s had on their careers, and why they believe others should get involved.  Giving Back with Purpose Ben Unett joined the TN with a clear goal: to give…

  • China’s EV Revolution: How Policy, Innovation, and BYD Are Reshaping the Global Market

    When we think of electric vehicles (EVs), names like Tesla often dominate the conversation. But in recent years, China has emerged as the true powerhouse of the EV revolution, thanks to bold government policy, strategic investment, and companies like BYD that are redefining what’s possible. In a recent interview, engineers John Samuel and Pete James offered a compelling look at how China’s approach is reshaping the global automotive landscape. From Zero to Global Leader China’s rise in the EV sector didn’t happen by accident. “The Chinese government came in force in 2012,” said John Samuel. “They invested about $6 billion in charge stations and EV buyer incentives. It was a chicken and egg thing. They could see this was going to be a big industry, but it wouldn’t work unless you had somewhere…

  • A Night of Inspiration and Innovation at PLAD2025

    On 4 October 2025 , the IET Malaysia Local Network proudly hosted the Prestige Lecture and Award Dinner 2025 (PLAD2025) at Pullman Kuala Lumpur , bringing together a vibrant community of engineers, technologists, and changemakers. This year’s theme, “Harnessing Responsible AI as a Catalyst in Engineering and Technology for Youth and Societal Empowerment,” sparked powerful conversations on the ethical advancement of technology and its role in shaping a better future. Welcome Address The evening began with a warm and inspiring welcome from Ms. Toni Allen , Chief Engagement & Growth Officer at The IET, setting the tone for a night of celebration and reflection. Prestige Lecture Highlight We were honoured to host YBhg. Professor Emeritus Datuk Ts. Ir. Dr. Siti Hamisah binti Tapsir…

  • Design Your Dream Retirement

    After a 35 year career in engineering, I retired 18 months ago and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience so far. I know some people struggle with the transition from work to retirement so I have written a short blog capturing what I have learned. For many, the transition from working to retirement is a difficult one. We assume that if we're lucky enough to retire, we'll have a long and happy post-work life. But this isn't always the case. Many retirees suffer from depression, anxiety, loneliness and boredom. In fact, nearly 3 million people in the UK recently returned to work after retiring according to research by Legal and General. Recent research shows the top three reasons for "unretiring" are: Financial pressures Loss of purpose Staying mentally active This creates a contradiction…

    John Drever
    John Drever

  • Sweet success with Professional Development courses

    Learning & development is our passion in the courses team. That… and cake. We love to design and deliver training to anyone looking to expand their skillset, update their knowledge and carry out CPD. All in bite sized chunks that are easy to digest. Oh - just like cake! From preparing to become professionally registered, giving back to the industry as a Mentor, to getting your technical report writing skills honed. If it develops your skills, then we are a happy team. The most rewarding part of our job is hearing the great success stories from our delegates. Whether that be gaining an in depth understanding of how to gain professional registration, right through to achieving that goal. It’s what gets us out of bed in the mornings! (well that & coffee of course!) We are driven to keep…

  • Advancing Nuclear Energy: Safety, Innovation, and the Path to Sustainable Growth

    Nuclear power plants have experienced critical incidents in the past, with accidents such as Fukushima and Chernobyl severely affecting both communities and the environment. These events have driven significant improvements in the design, construction, and operation of nuclear facilities, with a strong emphasis on optimizing safety standards worldwide. Today, as renewable energy adoption increases globally, incorporating advanced and reliable safety processes into nuclear power systems has become essential. Through ongoing research and innovative engineering, modern nuclear facilities are designed with sophisticate contingency to withstand a wide range of extreme events, leading to a noticeable reduction in impact of accidents. In my own professional journey, I have contributed to the design…

  • AI in Aerospace - a successful panel

    With a huge registration of 444 people, the IET's Aerospace Technical Network recently hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the aerospace industry. Hosted by Patrick Capaldo, and thoroughly organised by Victoria Rooke and Harry Hancock, the session brought together five experts working at the cutting edge of AI and aerospace: Alex Spiri – Digital Engineering Manager, Rolls-Royce Alistair Nottle – AI Research Project Leader, Airbus Alex Brooker – Founder & CEO, Airside Labs Ian Henderson – Head of AI Research, Thales UK Dr Mark Hall – AI Research Project Leader, Airbus The primary motivation for the event was to discuss how we reconcile these two industries: the AI industry that "moves fast and breaks things" and…

    Tori Rooke
    Tori Rooke

  • N-ATLAS: Nigeria's AI Future

    N-ATLAS is an initiative started by Silas Adekunle, a Nigerian-British robotics engineer, inventor, and entrepreneur. He is the CEO and co-founder of Awarri, the frontier technology company that built Nigeria's first multilingual AI assistant, which was trained locally with Nigerian talent and languages. Awarri and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMCIDE), in partnership with the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) as well as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), have launched Nigeria's first multilingual and multimodal large language model (LLM) to the world. N-ATLAS is an LLM designed to support major Nigerian languages like Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Nigerian-accented English. This immediately…

  • The stealthy rise of passive radar

    Passive radar is rapidly emerging as a transformative technology in the world of surveillance and air defence. Unlike traditional active radar systems, which transmit their own signals and analyse the reflections, passive radar leverages ambient electromagnetic emissions from sources such as radio towers, television broadcasts, and satellite constellations. This approach enables detection and tracking of objects without emitting detectable signals, making passive radar systems inherently stealthy, resistant to jamming, and often more cost-effective. The evolution and significance of passive radar While the concept of passive radar is not new, recent technological advancements have significantly enhanced its capabilities and broadened its applications. As electronic warfare becomes more…

    Garima Satija
    Garima Satija

  • A Robot Touch of AI: London Summer School in Robotics & AI 2025

    On Wednesday, 25 June 2025 , King’s College London hosted the third London Summer School in Robotics & AI , a free, one-day event supported by the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) . Jointly organised by King's College London , University College London , and Imperial College London , the summer school combined cutting-edge research talks with hands-on experiences to inspire the next generation of robotics and AI talent. Held at King’s newly renovated Quad, the event ran from 9:45 am to 7:00 pm and brought together over 40 participants from across the UK and Europe. The audience included A-level students, undergraduates, master’s and PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, software engineers, and faculty members from a diverse…

  • Hot Tea, Cold Science: The invention that keeps things just right

    Let’s rewind to 20 September 1842 . That’s the day Sir James Dewar was born, a name that might not immediately ring bells unless you’ve spent time in cryogenics or have a fondness for keeping your tea hot during long site visits. But Dewar’s contribution to engineering is quietly profound. He’s the mind behind the vacuum flask, a deceptively simple invention that’s had a surprisingly wide impact. The Challenge of Storing Cold Liquids Dewar wasn’t trying to invent a lunchbox accessory. His work was rooted in experimental physics, particularly in the study of gases at extremely low temperatures. In the late 19th century, he was attempting to liquefy hydrogen, a task that required storing it at temperatures close to absolute zero. The problem? As soon as you collect the liquid, it starts warming…

  • “Nigeria and the Seoul Accord: Claiming Our Seat in the Digital Future”

    Over the past few years, I have been deeply engaged in conversations around Nigeria’s engineering education standards — particularly our transition from provisional to full signatory of the Washington Accord through Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and National Universities Commission (NUC). I have spoken about it at forums like the 15th Mechanical Engineering Distinguished Lecture (MEDL), and I continue to believe that aligning with global benchmarks in TVET is critical if we are serious about producing world-class engineers. But the world is changing, and as someone working at the intersection of engineering, AI/ML, and computer vision, I see another equally urgent frontier: computing and IT education. Much like the Washington Accord for engineering, the…

  • UK's Inclusion Week and Global Communities

    This week, during the UK's Inclusion Week, we had the privilege of hearing from our trustee, Katy Deacon. She shared her personal story and explained how, following her diagnosis, she used her engineering knowledge to adapt her home. This experience has inspired her to promote a more inclusive approach to engineering in her work and now at the IET. Her talk about :Why we need inclusive engineering, reminded me of the concept of "humanitarian engineering." While I fully agree with both of these ideas, I believe that in an ideal world there shouldn't be a separation. Engineering should be inherently inclusive and humanitarian, and its purpose should be to solve the relevant problems that arise. This vision is central to what we aim to achieve with our global IET communities: to be hubs with…

  • Gridlock or Green Light? EVs, Renewables, and the Energy Infrastructure Challenge

    As electric vehicles (EVs) become increasingly mainstream, a new challenge emerges, not under the bonnet, but in the wires and substations that power our world. The integration of EVs with renewable energy sources and the national grid is a complex, evolving puzzle. In a recent interview, engineers John Samuel and Pete James unpacked the technical and systemic hurdles we face, and the innovative solutions that are already taking shape. The Intermittency Problem Renewable energy is clean, abundant, and essential to a sustainable future. But it’s also unpredictable. “The problem of intermittency with wind and solar is well known,” said John Samuel. “What a battery can do is smooth out the supply, depending on its duration.” He offered a vivid example: “In California, everyone comes home…

  • What’s Next for the IET Manufacturing Technical Network? A Look Ahead at Upcoming Activities

    The IET Manufacturing Technical Network (TN) continues to build momentum with a packed calendar of events and initiatives designed to explore the future of manufacturing, foster collaboration, and support engineers at every stage of their careers. Whether you're a seasoned professional, a student, or someone looking to broaden your horizons, the TN offers a dynamic space to engage with emerging technologies, industry challenges, and fellow engineers. Here’s what’s coming up—and why you should get involved. Quarter 4 2025 The future of Lean Manufacturing and beyond , 16th September While lean principles have been around for decades, the TN is taking a fresh look at what lean means in 2025. Manufacturing and Space , 7th October Building on the success of the 2024 event, the TN will revisit…

  • Are you passionate about shaping the future of engineering through guiding professionals as a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Advisor?

    Join us as a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Advisor and play a pivotal role in providing feedback and guiding others within the engineering field. As a CPD Advisor, you will inspire members to demonstrate engineering excellence through Continuing Professional Development. You’ll play a key role in upholding high standards and ensuring consistency as well as adhere to the IET’s volunteer policies and stay current with our CPD requirements. While being professionally registered and a member of the IET, your responsibilities will include reviewing individual CPD records, providing constructive feedback, and assessing whether members are maintaining professional competence through meaningful development activities. This role will offer you the opportunity to: Network with a…

  • Feeling flat after summer? Here's a tool to help you recalibrate

    As September arrives, many of us are shifting gears. For those of us in the UK, the summer holidays are behind us and the rhythm of work is picking up again. Whether you're on site, in the lab, or at your desk, the change of season can bring a sense of renewal and productivity. But it can also leave many of us feeling a bit... flat. Particularly if you're in a technical or project-driven role, or an engineering student, September often means diving back into complex tasks, tight timelines and high expectations. And with responsibilities ramping up, days getting shorter and mornings getting colder? It's understandable to experience a dip in mood, lower energy, or more stress. That's why it's more important than ever to check in with how you're feeling. A quick, confidential way to check…

  • Volunteer Spotlight: David Parr

    At the IET, our volunteers play a vital role in supporting the engineering and technology community. From mentoring to professional registration, their contributions help shape careers and inspire others. In this edition of our volunteer spotlight, we caught up with David to learn more about his journey, the variety of roles he’s taken on, and what keeps him coming back. Let’s start at the beginning, what inspired you to start volunteering, and how has your experience evolved? My interest in volunteering began early in my career, inspired by the encouragement of colleagues at my first workplace, particularly my first manager, whose support was instrumental in my journey towards CEng registration. That early influence sparked a desire to get involved, and I soon joined the younger members…

  • Shaping Tomorrow: Skills for Innovators and Problem Solvers

    What does it take to thrive as an engineer in a world of constant change? That question was at the heart of “Shaping Tomorrow: Skills for Innovators and Problem Solvers” , a recent event hosted by the IET Victoria Network at Monash University. The panel brought together students, graduates, and industry professionals for an insightful discussion on the evolving skillsets engineers need to succeed. We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible panelists: Daisy Pei , Graduate Engineer at Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Heshna Uppadoo , Graduate Engineer at Middleton Group Pela Markogiannakis , Director of Transformation at NEXTDC Robert Loader , General Manager, Transformation at MLC Life Insurance Each speaker brought a unique perspective shaped by their experiences…

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