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  • Payloads of the Past: Explorer 1 – America’s First Orbiting Satellite

    A New Year, A Cold War Deadline (Do not Worry we are looking at 1958) It is January 1958; the United States has already watched Sputniks 1 and 2 cross the night sky and seen the Vanguard launch fail on live television. Confidence, at least in public, was wobbling.​ Into that gap stepped an Army–JPL team, leading this were a few legends of the industry, Wernher von Braun and James Van Allen (You know the belt? This is why), they were given a brutally tight schedule to field a complete launch vehicle and science payload in 90 days. The result? A slim, pencil‑like satellite only about 2m long, 16cm in diameter and 14kg. Perched atop a modified Redstone known as Juno I and cleared to fly from Cape Canaveral before the patience of Washington became untenable and programmes were closed.​ At…

  • Celebrating Our Global Communities: A Year of Impact and Innovation

    As we close 2025, we want to share the incredible work our volunteers have done across our Global Communities . These communities are the heart of our organization—groups of passionate engineers and technologists who come together to share knowledge, inspire innovation, and create opportunities for professional growth. Our Global Communities include: Local Networks (LNs) : Volunteer-led groups in regions around the world that organize events, workshops, and networking opportunities for engineers and technology professionals. Technical Networks (TNs) : Specialist groups focused on advancing knowledge in key areas of engineering and technology, from AI and quantum engineering to antennas, power systems, and beyond. These networks are global, and because of that they are mainly online…

    Mariana Vazquez
    Mariana Vazquez

  • The Future of British Switchgear

    Sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆) is one of the most potent greenhouse gases in use today, with a global warming potential approximately 24,300 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO₂) over a 100-year period. Despite being used in relatively small quantities, its environmental impact is significant. It is one of the 6 notified greenhouse gases in the F Gas regulations. Across Great Britain, electrical switchgear is estimated to contain around 1 million kg of SF₆ , spread across more than 200,000 units . Approximately 97% of these assets operate at distribution level , within medium and high voltage networks. For decades, SF₆ has delivered compact, reliable switchgear. Why SF₆ Became the Standard SF₆ offers unrivalled electrical insulation and arc‑quenching performance, allowing high-energy switching…

  • Would you like to be a Professional Development Scheme Accreditation Assessor?

    Are you passionate about advancing professional development in engineering and technology? Do you have experience in academia or industry with a strong understanding of professional development schemes and higher education programmes? Join us as a Professional Development Scheme Accreditation Assessor for the IET and play a key role in ensuring the quality and effectiveness of professional development pathways worldwide. In this role you will review and evaluate organisational schemes against IET accreditation standards. Working collaboratively with other assessors, you will apply agreed criteria to identify high-quality schemes that align with professional registration requirements and provide constructive recommendations for improvement where needed. This opportunity offers you the…

  • Trust in Professions: Engineers Hold Their Ground in 2025

    The latest Ipsos Veracity Index , now in its 28th year, offers a fascinating snapshot of public trust across Britain’s professions. For engineers (and those who champion the profession) there’s good news! Engineers remain among the most trusted professionals in the country. But the broader picture reveals some striking shifts that are worth exploring, especially for a community like ours that values integrity, innovation, and public confidence. Engineers: A Pillar of Trust Once again, engineers feature in the top tier of trusted professions, alongside nurses, doctors, teachers, and professors. This consistency speaks volumes about the profession’s reputation for honesty and reliability. In an era where misinformation and scepticism dominate headlines, the engineering profession continues…

  • Inside ETCS: What Thameslink Taught Us About the Future of Rail

    The UK rail industry is on a journey toward digitalisation, and one of its most ambitious steps has been the deployment of the European Train Control System (ETCS) on Thameslink. This critical corridor through central London has provided a unique testing ground for in-cab signalling, offering lessons that will shape future deployments. In our first podcast episode for the IET Railway Technical Network, Jude Parsons spoke with Jamie Geraghty, Signalling Manager at Three Bridges, and Glenn Mitchell, Senior Asset Engineer at Network Rail, to uncover what ETCS has delivered so far—its benefits, challenges, and what we’ve learned along the way. Why Thameslink Matters Thameslink is a critical corridor connecting the north and south of the UK through central London, linking major hubs like Gatwick…

  • Would you like to volunteer as an Industrialist Academic Accreditor?

    Are you passionate about shaping the future of engineering education? Are you an experienced industry professional with a strong understanding of higher education programmes? Join us as an Academic Accreditor for the IET and play a pivotal role in ensuring the industry input and influence on the curriculum and student learning experience is of high quality and is effective within engineering and technology degree programmes worldwide. As an Academic Accreditor, you will review and evaluate university programmes against IET accreditation standards. Working collaboratively with other accreditors, you will use agreed criteria to identify high-quality courses that align with professional registration requirements and provide constructive recommendations for improvement where necessary. …

  • Building over a working railway: Visit to Paris Austerlitz T6B construction site

    For over 30 years, investment has flowed into urban regeneration of the River Seine south bank (“rive gauche”) in eastern Paris. Most visible is the iconic Bibliothèque François Mitterrand (French national library) constructed in 1995 right on the riverside. Running just behind this building and parallel with the river is the railway approach to the Austerlitz main line train station. To create a neighbourhood better connected to the river, the architects and planners decided on a radical solution: construction of buildings directly over the top of the railway. Picture: Approach to Paris Austerlitz station before construction started (mirr.eu) On 28th November 2025, the ICE France Association organised a visit to one these construction projects (referred to as T6B) and invited members…

  • IET Robotics & Mechatronics TN – 2025 Year in Review

    As 2025 draws to a close and our final activity has happened, it’s a great time to reflect on what has been an exciting year for the IET Robotics & Mechatronics Technical Network (TN). From thought-provoking webinars to lively community discussions and insightful blogs, the TN has delivered a strong lineup of content to engage with. Digital First and Global Reach remit for our Technical Network This year, we delivered a strong lineup of free-to-attend webinars , each exploring cutting-edge topics shaping the future of robotics. The online format allows us to engage with engineers across the world and share knowledge, provide CPD and build our global communities. Among the highlights: Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and AI Models for Contemporary Robotics Systems This session…

  • A Fresh Way to Solve Problems: Build Your Team’s Skills, One Brick at a Time

    Who knew a bag of LEGO® could help your team solve real work challenges? If you think LEGO belongs only in a toy box (or on the floor waiting for a bare-footed victim), think again. LEGO® Serious Play® (LSP) is a hands-on method that helps teams explore ideas, tackle challenges, and communicate more clearly - all while having fun. So, what is it? LSP uses LEGO® bricks to build models representing challenges, goals, processes, or ways of working. It’s structured but open enough for everyone to contribute - even the quieter reflectors amongst us. Why it works When teams build together: Conceptual ideas become visual and tangible. Quiet voices are heard. Discussions are more open, creative, and inclusive. Insights emerge that slides, meetings, or reports rarely…

  • Technology Transfer in Manufacturing: Bridging the Gap Between Innovation and Industry

    In today’s fast-paced manufacturing world, innovation is everywhere but getting those ideas from the lab to the shop floor - that’s a whole different challenge. This journey, known as technology transfer , is the unsung hero of industrial progress. We recently sat down with Christopher Proudfoot and Ben Unett , volunteers from the IET Manufacturing Technical Network (TN) , to talk about why technology transfer matters, and how we can make it work better for everyone. From Research to Reality Christopher Proudfoot knows this journey well. With a background in control engineering and a PhD from Oxford, he spent years at Unilever leading automation strategies across global factories. “Throughout my career, I’ve been interested in technology transfer,” Chris said. “Transferring university…

  • Celebrating International Volunteer Day

    International Volunteer Day (IVD), celebrated on 5 December, is a global observance established by the United Nations in 1985 to recognise the incredible contributions of volunteers everywhere. It’s a day to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism and the power of people-led solutions to our shared challenges. To all our volunteers at the IET: you’re not just a part of our organisation, you’re at the very heart of everything we do. From inspiring young minds to shaping professional standards and influencing policy, your commitment helps us engineer a better world, together. This year’s theme focuses on the power of collective action, and we couldn’t think of a better example than showcasing the remarkable things you’ve achieved as a community. Together, you’ve delivered these exceptional highlights…

    IET Volunteering Team
    IET Volunteering Team

  • Alternative routes to becoming a chartered engineer

    Many of our members have taken the traditional route to becoming a Chartered Engineer, taking an engineering degree and/or gaining experience by working in the profession. However, there are other routes to becoming a professional engineer. Apprenticeships have been around in Britain since the Middle Ages, when a family would enter into a contract with a master craftsman or tradesman, binding a youth for five to nine years. Sometimes this involved paying a fee. Over the centuries industry bodies and governments have introduced measures to improve the rights of apprentices and to offer support to businesses wanting to take on apprentices. Military Service conscription in the 1900s drastically reduced the number of apprentices, but it wasn’t until 1964 that Industrial Training Boards were…

    David James
    David James

  • Payloads of the Past: Gemini 7/6A – Rendezvous Above the Earth

    December 4 th is a fabulous day, and not because it my birthday. Back in 1965 a historic event occurred, one that in today’s Space and Satellite growth, has significant relevance. Gemini 7 lifted off from Cape Kennedy carrying Frank Borman and Jim Lovell, who would later become famous for his command on Apollo 13, embarked on what would become a nearly 14‑day mission, the longest U.S. crewed flight to that point. Officially a medical and long‑duration test flight, Gemini 7 had a secondary task, to serve as the passive target for Gemini 6A, flown by Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford, which launched on December 15 th , and executed the first true crewed orbital rendezvous, closing to within about 1ft of its sister spacecraft. The mission pair answered two critical questions on the road to…

  • Attend our 2025 Young Woman Engineer of the Year ceremony

    On Thursday 11 December at IET London: Savoy Place, we will be holding our 2025 Young Woman Engineer of the Year awards ceremony – a celebration of past, present and future women talent across engineering and technology. During the ceremony we will award the prestigious IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year, WES, Mary George Memorial and Gender Diversity Ambassador prizes. The free to attend ceremony will take place between 19:00-20:15 in the Kelvin Lecture Theatre, with doors opening to attendees from 18:00. Ahead of the ceremony and immediately afterwards, you’ll be invited to the Riverside room to network, explore our exhibitor stands and have a drink and something to eat - all while enjoying spectacular views over London. This is one of our most popular events, and registration can…

    Daisy March
    Daisy March

  • What’s the fuss about?

    Three years ago, in conjunction with Bilfinger UK, the Mersey & West Cheshire Local Network developed the idea of a regional award that would recognize a company’s efforts in the recruitment and development of their engineering talent. The award is to recognise organisations who have demonstrated a commitment to the industry of the future by investing in talent through graduate schemes, apprentice schemes and youth training schemes. The winner in 2024 was Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN). Setting their entry apart was its visionary approach to workforce planning. The company has ingeniously combined local recruitment with centralised training programs, transforming its workforce ahead of the curve. In doing so, SPEN fills an impressive 50% of its engineering and technical roles and…

    Julie
    Julie

  • Powering the Future: Batteries, Drives, and the Silent Revolution in EV Technology

    The electric vehicle (EV) revolution is not just about sleek designs and zero-emission promises—it’s powered by decades of behind-the-scenes innovation in batteries and power electronics. In a recent interview, engineers John Samuel and Pete James shared their insights into the technological breakthroughs that have made modern EVs possible. The Battery Bottleneck One of the earliest and most persistent challenges in EV development has been energy storage. As John Samuel explained, “There’s something like a 60 to one differential between petrol and battery power.” While electric propulsion is more efficient than internal combustion, the sheer weight and volume of batteries needed to match the energy density of petrol posed a major hurdle. “In the early days, we were working with rather…

  • Volunteer Louis Redding - The day a little boy saw the Vulcan fly overhead was to define a life

    As a boy, my grandfather took me to an air show where I saw the Avro Vulcan conduct a fly over. To me it was like watching something from out of space and the iconic ‘howl’ as the delta wing flew over where we stood was to define the direction of my life. I remember my grandfather stating that when I grew up, he thought that my wish would be to fly that one day to which I responded, “no, I want to be the person who could design and make it”. Whilst I never became an aircraft designer, it defined my ambitions and a career in engineering was to follow. Following a traditional career path Upon leaving school I joined the British Steel Corporation, Cookley Works as an apprentice tool maker where I was trained in the design and manufacture of stamping dies for the manufacture of electrical…

  • Engineering a Greener Future: Highlights from IET North Yorkshire’s 2025 Events

    Hello Everyone, My name is Pranali and I am volunteer member of IET North Yorkshire Local Network. Over the past few months, the IET North Yorkshire Local Network has been actively involved in a series of inspiring events aimed at promoting sustainability, climate resilience, and engineering education. These initiatives have not only sparked meaningful conversations but also brought communities together to explore innovative solutions for a better future. The first event took place on 6th May 2025 at the picturesque Museum Gardens in York, where Kevin Smalley and Joe Hodgekinson delivered a compelling talk for the York Philosophical Society. The focus was on Sustainable Drainage Solutions (SuDS) and their environmental benefits for cities like York. Drawing on Kevin’s research, the presentation…

    Pranali Ukey
    Pranali Ukey

  • Shaping the Future of Systems Safety Engineering: Our 2026 Roadmap

    The Systems Safety Engineering Technical Network (SSE TN) is excited to share our strategic objectives and plans for 2026. As we look ahead, our focus is clear: to expand our reach, enhance professional development opportunities, and foster collaboration across the industry. This year promises to be transformative, and we invite you to join us on this journey. Our Vision for 2026 Safety engineering is evolving rapidly, driven by technological innovation and global challenges. At SSE TN, we believe that collaboration and knowledge sharing are key to staying ahead. Our roadmap for 2026 reflects this commitment, with initiatives designed to empower professionals, support emerging talent, and strengthen our community. Strategic Objectives Collaboration: We aim to work closely with other…

  • Big Give Christmas Challenge campaign opens 2 December 2025

    We are excited to announce that this Christmas, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is going to participate for the second time in the Big Give Christmas Challenge to raise £12,400 for the FIRST® LEGO® League! There are less than two weeks until it opens so mark your calendars and get ready to make a difference Together, we can achieve something incredible! The campaign will run from 2nd – 9th December 2025 , and during this time every donation you make will be matched pound for pound, doubling your impact at no extra cost. To contribute during this period and have your donation matched, please visit: Biggive - First Lego league Thanks to your donations, more young people from areas of disadvantage will have the chance to take part in an amazing, real-world STEM (science…

  • World Television Day

    Today is World Television Day, but what exactly is it and what does it mean? From our perspective as members of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) we do see it as an important celebration especially as we look forward in this 100th year of Television towards the next 100 years. In 1996, the United Nations held the first World Television Forum which recognised the increasing impact television had on decision-making by bringing world attention to conflicts and threats to peace and security and its potential role in sharpening the focus on other major issues, including economic and social issues. Soon after the 21st November was proclaimed to be World Television Day in recognition of this - UN World Television Day . Today we see that it's impact has only being magnified by the…

  • Microswimmer Robots in Cardiovascular Therapies

    Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death worldwide[1] Untethered microscale robots (“microswimmers”) have emerged as a promising class of minimally invasive tools for addressing vascular pathologies. These tiny devices often magnetically actuated can navigate the bloodstream and reach sites of interest (e.g. arterial blockages) that are inaccessible by conventional instruments. Researchers note their potential to targeted drug delivery , clot removal , and even plaque debridement in arteries [2]. For example, Microswimmers can carry and release therapeutics at precise locations to improve efficacy while reducing side effects [3]. They can also be designed to mechanically clear obstructions: e.g. rotating magnetic helices could “scrape” lipid-rich plaque from vessel walls…

  • ‘Get Into LANE’: the EAW, Nuclear Energy and Domestic Liberation

    Guest blog by Dr Eleanor Peters. In February 1955, the British Government issued a White Paper announcing its 10-year program for nuclear power stations. The Electrical Association for Women (EAW) responded with unwavering support asserting that ‘the development of nuclear power for peaceful purposes is essential not only to the economy of this country, but to the progress of our civilisation’. [i] Their sentiments echoed the industry’s assertion that nuclear energy was needed to meet the growing demand for electricity in post-war Britain. The EAW continued to uphold a positive nuclear narrative amid rising anti-nuclear sentiment in the second half of the twentieth century. The EAW’s longstanding pro-nuclear stance prompts a re-evaluation of how women’s organisations contributed to the…

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