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  • It's All About Being Smart These Days...

    Last week the South Island Local Network was lucky enough to have Graham Ault as a speaker on Smart Approaches to Distributed Generation, Connection, and Operation. Graham was out from the UK to be a keynote speaker at the EEA conference, and whilst in NZ he went to several cities to give presentations for the IET.  I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation he gave in Christchurch, and was pleased to meet a number of engineers based in the city, as well as catch up with people I already knew.  If you're interested in looking at the content of the presentation, Graham has kindly allowed us to share it on this blog post, so please take a look! If you'd like to receive an invite to future events run by the IET (and you're an IET member), check your settings in MyIET, to make sure we're allowed to…

    Karla Smith
    Karla Smith

  • Last Call For IET YWE Applications

    In 2016, the IET proudly announced Dr Jenni Sidey as the IET YWE Award winner.  Since then, Jenni has gone on to win the Royal Academy of Engineering - Young Engineer of the Year Award and most recently; she was named Canada's newest astronaut by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) competing with 3,772  candidates for one of two spots! We are thrilled to have had an opportunity to work with Jenni and look forward to more opportunities with her in the future. Jenni is already an exceptional  role model for then next generation and wider community.  No doubt she will continue to go on to do more amazing things, creating a platform for women to come. Congratulations, Jenni!  2016 has been an incredible year for you.  The IET is so proud of you. Could you be the next Young Woman Engineer of the Year…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Annual Healthcare Lecture 2017 - Professor Kevin Warwick Announced As Keynote

    We're delighted to confirm that Professor Kevin Warwick will be joining us at the 2017 Annual Healthcare Lecture in September. Professor Warwick is Emeritus Professor at Reading and Coventry Universities and his research areas are artificial intelligence, biomedical systems, robotics and cyborgs. His talk, ' Neural Implants for Therapy and Enhancement ', will discuss the topic of implants connected into the brain and how they can be employed both for therapeutic purposes and also for enhancement. He will discuss the present and future uses of cochlea implants and deep brain stimulation. He will also consider the BrainGate both for therapy and human enhancement, in order to extend the human nervous system across the internet and to create new forms of communication. Biohacking will also be investigated…

  • "Architecture for Complex Systems" Speaker Announcement: Tim Rabbets and Louise Walker - QinetiQ

    A multi-disciplinary perspective on the architecting and engineering of certain complex engineered systems Tim Rabbets & Louise Walker, QinetiQ   Abstract This paper introduces the broad ‘landscape’ of systems engineering and architecting indicating some of the different genres which take into account system scale and applicable engineering abstraction.  Key notions of system complexity, architecture (and design), together with different genres of systems engineering and architecting are introduced and related.  Within this ‘landscape’ true multi-disciplinary approaches are positioned and related to more ‘standard’ practices.  Some areas of application of systems engineering and architecting in which the authors have experience are overlaid. The paper then draws on case studies to illustrate…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • IET Coventry and Warwickshire at the West Midlands Big Bang

    Over 4000 young people with many teachers and parents attended the West Midlands Big Bang at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry. The local network organised a stand to which most of the attendees came. Many hundreds of LED torches were made and most created miniature lightning with out Van Der Graaf Generator. Many learned about PAT testing and examined our eight plugs to identify mistakes in wiring and fuse ratings. We also welcomed to the stand Academy Racing from WMG with their winning F1 In Schools miniature car. Academy Racing won the UK finals and have been asked to represent the UK at the International Finals in Kuala Lumpur. Thay need to raise a large sum to be able to fly to Malasia and donations, however small, are welcomed. Please make cheques to WMG Academy for Young Engineers and send to…

    Derrick Willer
    Derrick Willer

  • Exciting “Girls In STEM” day at The Space Studio, Banbury Academy.

    Over 80 girls from local secondary schools enjoyed a full day of STEM activities organised by the new iSTEM Banbury Hub at the Space Studio, a remarkable section of the Academy devoted to STEM and the planets, stars and galaxies of outer space.   Introduced by the Mayor of Banbury, the keynote speaker, Orla Murphy, IET Young Woman Engineer 2016, talked of her choice to become an engineer in infotainment at Jaguar Land Rover because of her love of both engineering and music.   Abi Hirons, aged 16, from Academy Racing, the F1 In Schools UK winning team, enthralled the girls with her role in the design, testing and racing of their miniature car. She looks forward to competing in the International Finals in Kuala Lumpur in September.   The girls were then involved in STEM workshops and the day…

    Derrick Willer
    Derrick Willer

  • Mystic Meg And The 5G IoT Spectrum (IET Berkshire).

    Focusing on the theme of field based technologies; I took opportunity to attend an event hosted by the IET Berkshire network. Dr.Abhaya Sumanasena Managing consultant at Real Wireless and Martin Wren-Hilton Director of Mobile Innovation at TalkTalk discussed how NB IoT was emerging as the chosen technology by cellular operators to provide services within the Unlicensed spectrum. Mystic Meg was pictured - Perhaps demonstrating that the transition to 5G can have many winners ! Particularly, NB IoT was discussed against Lora and SigFox networks. Where, whilst Lora and SigFox may have more use cases, NB IoT is likely to become the preferred choice for carrier grade networks to play within the Low Power Wan (LPWA)  arena. Uplink and downlink speeds were discussed for field based devices, and whilst…

  • International Robotics Showcase: Speaker Highlight

    Speaker highlight: Dr Rob Buckingham   Dr. Rob Buckingham is Director of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the first Head of the new centre for Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE). Dr.Buckingham was a lead author of the UK’s Robotics and Autonomous Systems 2020 Strategy. Before joining the UKAEA, Dr. Buckingham co-founded and was Managing Director of OC Robotics, which developed and commercialized snake-arm robots in hazardous and confined spaces working in the nuclear sector, aerospace, construction and petrochemicals. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology and a visiting professor at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory. Dr Buckingham will be speaking at approximately 12:05 on 'Robotics for extreme…

    Gemma Hadley
    Gemma Hadley

  • Do LEOs Dream Of ‘The Grand Tour’? – The Satellite Systems & Applications Network Certainly Do!

    Following on from our World Space Week event which focussed on the theme of ‘Remote Sensing Satellites for Global Sustainability’. If you couldn’t manage to get along to the event, then don’t forget to catch up with our filmed presentations from Dr Vanessa Lawrence CB, Senior Strategic Geospatial Global Advisor and Director, Location International Ltd and Ralph Cordey Earth Observation Key Account Manager at Airbus Defence and Space.   Chris Brunskill, Chairman of the Satellite TPN recently attended the Space UK 2017 conference and together with my colleague Natalie Sullivan has filmed some videos which we’ll share with you in the community group area as soon as they’ve been edited.   The TPN are currently working on their penultimate event of the 2016-17 session which is a joint event with…

    Deborah-Claire McKenzie
    Deborah-Claire McKenzie

  • On the Road with the Automotive & Road Transport Systems Network

    Just recently in May, Dr John Walker, one of the Network Executive Team volunteers organised an extremely popular seminar, joint with ITS(UK) on Behavioural Psychology in Transport in London.  This event sold out before we’d fully advertised it, the power of social media!  As a result of the excellent feedback we had from delegates and the high demand for the event the Network are planning a follow-up event in October 2018.  You can catch-up with the presentations here as they were filmed for iet.tv    The Network’s next event will be a workshop on Connected Corridors on 13 July 2017 at IET Austin Court, Birmingham and will be joint with Highways England.   Don’t miss this excellent opportunity to hear about the latest developments on this project and also give Highways England your feedback…

    Deborah-Claire McKenzie
    Deborah-Claire McKenzie

  • International Robotics Showcase: Speaker Highlight

    Speaker highlight: Professor Andrew Blake   Professor Andrew Blake is Research Director at The Alan Turing Institute. Prior to joining the Institute in 2015, Professor Blake held the position of Microsoft Distinguished Scientist and Laboratory Director of Microsoft Research Cambridge, England. He joined Microsoft in 1999 as a Senior Researcher to found the Computer Vision group. In 2008 he became a Deputy Managing Director at the lab, before assuming the directorship in 2010. Before joining Microsoft Andrew trained in mathematics and electrical engineering in Cambridge England, and studied for a doctorate in Artificial Intelligence in Edinburgh. He was an academic for 18 years, latterly on the faculty at Oxford University, where he was a pioneer in the development of the theory and algorithms…

  • Aerospace Network The Skies Are Not The Limit!

    During the past few months the Aerospace TPN have taken advantage of the warmer weather to organise some technical visits.  Bob Darby one of our volunteers organise a couple of visits the first one in May to Farnborough Air Sciences Trust  and the National Air Library, with the second one in June to the TAG Airfield . Bob has written a couple of blogs which I’ve highlighted so you can catch up with what they covered.    Its now a busy time for the Aerospace TPN in terms of professional awareness activities and Ray Smith and David Lindley, Vice Chairman and Chairman respectively of the TPN, have recently attended a safety day at the DE&S,  MOD Abbeywood to promote the IET/TPN.  Ray together with Lee Murton, Chairman of our Aerospace Young Professionals Group also went to a special event at the…

    Deborah-Claire McKenzie
    Deborah-Claire McKenzie

  • International Robotics Showcase: Speaker Highlight

    Speaker highlight: Dr Sandra Wachter   Dr. Sandra Wachter is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Data Ethics and Algorithms at the Oxford Internet Institute and a member of the Ethics and Philosophy of Information research cluster. Her research focuses on the legal and ethical implications of Big Data, AI, and robotics as well as governmental surveillance, predictive policing, and human rights online. She also worked at the Alan Turing Institute and the Royal Academy of Engineering on topics such as connectivity, AI, and autonomous systems and is policy advisor for governments and NGO’s on regulatory and ethical questions concerning emerging technologies.  Dr Wachter will be speaking at approximately 10:10 on the topic of fairness, accountability and transparency in AI and robotics. Make sure you…

    Gemma Hadley
    Gemma Hadley

  • And The Winner Is.....

    Railway Quiz 2017 The IET Railway Network Quiz challenged the teams knowledge of all aspects of the railway industry – in a quite demanding way! Hosted by our quiz-master Peter Sheppard, the IET Railway Network Quiz night is an annual event that takes place at Doggett’s Coat and Badge pub near Blackfriars Bridge and we supplied a free buffet which was sponsored by Ricardo Rail.    The quiz was an ideal event for people interested in networking with railway professionals and did not only challenge their knowledge on railway but also encouraged an enjoyable evening with peers in the industry and have some fun.  We had teams from AECOM, Apollo Train Control, CPC Systems, Network Rail, Ricardo, RSSB, Transport for London and London Underground.   With a full house, 47 attendees and 8 teams, it…

    Lynsay Callaghan
    Lynsay Callaghan

  • How Do We Cool The Tube?

    The IET Railway TPN had the pleasure of introducing Sharon Duffy, Head of Station Systems Engineering, LU Crossrail and Stations, to an audience at IET London:  Savoy Place to hear about how LU are looking to Cool the Tube. The Cooling the Tube programme was established in 2005 to mitigate the problem of increasing temperatures across the London Underground network, and to ensure the continued safe operation of trains. With plans for line upgrades and increased services through the introduction of new, faster trains that will use more energy and create more heat, there is a need to find effective methods of controlling temperatures. Over a decade on, this session covered what London Underground has achieved and what future plans are in development, including the opportunity for waste heat to…

    Lynsay Callaghan
    Lynsay Callaghan

  • Extend Your Professional Network: Action Learning Sets

    As the Initial Professional Development (IPD) and Mentoring Manager at the IET , it may seem illogical for me to write a blog about not seeking a mentor for Professional Registration – but in doing some research around students and mentoring I came across an idea which fits in with IPD that I wanted to share.   Research has shown that young professionals, particularly those in Generation Z (those born from the mid-1990s), are a generation of self-starters who are comfortable with technology.  Given their ambition and drive, there is potential in supporting a wider pool of development than traditional mentoring allows for.   Action Learning Sets   Action Learning Sets can be formed as a small group who meet regularly to discuss and understand issues and problems around a particular task or area…

  • International Conference On Railway Engineering (ICRE) 2017

    ICRE17 returned to Hong Kong on 24-25th May 2017 The International Conference on Railway Engineering (ICRE) is held every three years in Hong Kong with the objective to provide a forum for sharing knowledge and experience; promoting collaboration among practitioners; as well as revealing recent development and applications of new technologies in railway engineering. The organiser, Railway and Transport Section of the IET Hong Kong is composed of engineering professionals from disciplines of electrical, electronics, industrial, mechanical and railway engineering. In this connection, the conference is a railway event of high regard in the industry. The conference was held on 24 to 25 May 2017 at Hotel ICON in Hong Kong and was followed by a technical visit on 26 May 2017. ICRE 2017 Theme The…

    Lynsay Callaghan
    Lynsay Callaghan

  • IET Solent Rewards Highbury College Student

    The Institution of Engineering and Technology is keen to reward success on courses that lead the way to the student becoming a Chartered Engineer, Incorporated Engineer, or Engineering Technician. Sergio Gomez who is employed by NATS and studies at Highbury College had been recommended by his course supervisor to receive an IET award for his excellent performance during the 2016/17 academic year. Sergio received a certificate to acknowledge his success, a cheque for £100 and his name engraved on the perpetual shield trophy that remains on display at the college. The award was presented by Simon Blumlein, the Chairman of the Solent Retired Members Section at Highbury College on Thursday 22nd June 2017 in the presence of engineering students and Engineering Department lecturers. Simon Blumlein…

  • International Robotics Showcase: Speaker Highlight

    Speaker highlight: Professor Tony Pipe   Professor Tony Pipe is Deputy Director of the Bristol Robotics Laboratory. He has 20 years of experience in carrying out research on advanced sensor-systems, medical robotics, biologically inspired robotics, machine learning and adaptive behaviour, applied to intelligent and distributed control/monitoring systems for robotics. His research foci are: innovative medical technology, safe physical Human Robot Interaction for robots co-located with humans; modelling animal brain signal processing and control structures; self-healing VLSI electronic hardware for safety-critical applications. He has co-authored over 200 internationally reviewed publications. Prof. Pipe will be speaking at approximately 09:40 on the topic of Social Care and Independent Living…

    Gemma Hadley
    Gemma Hadley

  • Behavioural Psychology In Transport – Behavioural Insights (“nudge”)

    Back in May 2017 the Automotive & Road Transport Systems Network held a seminar on this informative and interesting subject which attracted a high demand for places and covered the following topics:   Results from behavioural insights trials, and how behavioural insights and people-centred approaches are being embedded at DfT. Transport project management: behaviourally informed ways of working. Behaviour change in young and novice drivers. Behaviour Change at Transport for London. How people deal with travel disruption. Investigating customer experience on the railway. Gamification and active travel.  Delegates heard from a number of key experts in this field and we were fortunate in being able to film most of the speakers (the DfT speakers were unable to be filmed due to the general election…

    Deborah-Claire McKenzie
    Deborah-Claire McKenzie

  • Antarctica And Beyond - Predicting The Extreme

    IET Central London Evening Lecture Savoy Place, 14-Jun-2017 Speaker: John Griffiths explorer & meteorologist     Important note: These are the author's personal recollections and interpretations, which are likely to suffer from errors and selectivity. There is no endorsement from the IET or the speaker.   On a warm and sunny evening, it seemed incongruous to be transported down to the frozen wildness of Antarctica. Yet it was well worth the journey to get an expedition into meteorology in extreme environments.    What a hostile environment to operate in:  On a floating ice-shelf, over 100 km away from the nearest base and 1000 km from any other land mass With temperatures from -56 to -1 degC, 3 months of no sunshine and 3 of sun (when 24 hr shifts are possible, if so desired!), very windy …

    David Tabor
    David Tabor

  • International Robotics Showcase: Speaker Highlight

    Speaker highlight: Dame Mary Archer   Dame Mary Archer DBE started her career as a physical chemist and taught Chemistry at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities. She was chair of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for ten years and is currently chair of the Science Museum Group, Imperial College Health Partners’ Advisory Council and Cambridge Early Music. She is President of the UK Solar Energy Society and the Guild of Church Musicians, a trustee of Britten Sinfonia, iCould and the Global e-Health Foundation, and a non-executive director of Hydrodec Group plc. In 2012, she was appointed DBE for services to the UK Solar Energy Society and the Guild of Church Musicians, a trustee of Britten Sinfonia, iCould and the Global e-Health Foundation, and a non-executive director of…

  • International Robotics Showcase: Speaker Highlight

    The IET Robotic and Mechatronics network are delighted to be working with the EPSRC UK-RAS once again to deliver the International Robotics Showcase, the pinnacle event of UK Robotics Week 2017.  Over the next few days we’ll be highlighting some of the fantastic speakers and exhibitors who will be attending the event.   Speaker highlight: Professor Guang-Zhong Yang Professor Guang-Zhong Yang is co-founder and director of the Hamlyn Centre for Robotic Surgery at Imperial College London. Building on research expertise in medical imaging, sensing and robotics, he holds leadership roles in multiple centres of excellence.  Professor Yang pioneered the concept of perceptual docking for robotic control and led the development of a number of medical robot platforms. Professor Yang is also a recipient…

  • 3rd Annual Future Of Medicine Highlights

    A month has now passed since the 3rd Annual Future of Medicine – the role of the doctor in 2027 took place. Let’s look back at some of the highlights of the day… Nick Hunn ‘The best way to save the NHS is to use it less.’ The above concept has spawned much of the new Medtech industry. Nick’s presentation mainly covered wearable technology and the reasons why this hasn’t made the revolutionary changes we think it has. Watch  Nick's talk on IET.tv. Shafi Ahmed ‘Med students aren’t buying books anymore so how do we train them?’ Shafi talked about his experience in medical education and training and how we can move things forward using modern technology. He mentioned his use of Google Glass, Twitter and Snapchat to live broadcast surgeries to interact with a younger audience. Watch Shafi's talk…

    Gemma Hadley
    Gemma Hadley

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