As summer rolled in, June brought a rich mix of innovation, inspiration, and engineering excellence across the IET EngX community. From celebrating pioneers to exploring cutting-edge construction and wireless technologies, here are some of the standout moments from the past month:
Featured Community Insights
From Bees to Base Stations: CAWE 2025
On 11 June, the University of Liverpool hosted the 13th Colloquium on Antennas and Wireless Electromagnetics (CAWE’25). Organised by the IET’s Antennas and Propagation Technical Network, the event brought together over 45 experts to explore the latest in antenna design and wireless systems. Highlights included a keynote by Professor Yi Huang on liquid and dispersive antennas, showcasing the future of adaptable wireless tech.
Tackling the Housing Crisis with Volumetric Construction
In a compelling blog post, Ketan Varia from the Manufacturing Network explored how volumetric construction, building housing modules offsite, can help address the global housing shortage. This manufacturing-led approach promises faster build times, reduced costs, and scalable solutions for social housing
Celebrating Verena Holmes – Engineer, Inventor, Trailblazer
On 23 June, the community paid tribute to Verena Winifred Holmes on what would have been her 136th birthday. A mechanical engineer and passionate advocate for women in STEM, Holmes broke barriers in early 20th-century engineering and remains a powerful role model today
Read the Verena Holmes tribute blog
George Stephenson: The Man Who Put Britain on Track
Marking 244 years since his birth, we revisited the legacy of George Stephenson, the “Father of the Railways.” His innovations in locomotive design and railway infrastructure laid the groundwork for modern transportation.
Read the George Stephenson feature blog
Volunteers’ Week 2025
June also celebrated Volunteers’ Week, spotlighting the incredible contributions of IET volunteers. One standout story was that of Rambali Raghavan, a Professional Registration Advisor whose dedication to mentoring and outreach continues to inspire
Read Rambali's inspirational story
Discussions that got the EngX community talking
Retrofitting Legacy Control Systems for Cybersecurity
This technical discussion focuses on retrofitting older industrial control systems to meet modern cybersecurity demands. Members are sharing strategies for balancing safety, cost, and compliance.
Flashing Your Headlights at Temporary Traffic Lights
A relatable and lively debate exploring whether flashing car headlights at temporary traffic lights will make them change from red to green
Add your thoughts to the debate
Permanent Magnet Generator Issues
An EngX community member has reported apparent magnetic flux reduction after rewinding a permanent magnet generator. The community has chimed in with diagnostic tips and design considerations.
Share your expertise in the discussion
Get Involved!
Our community thrives on shared knowledge, curiosity and collaboration. Whether you're sharing a technical insight, asking a question, or offering support, your voice helps shape the conversation.
As one member recently put it:
“It’s not just about finding answers, it’s about learning from each other’s experiences.”
If something this month sparked your interest, or if you have a question to ask or a topic to raise, join the discussions and help keep the community thriving.
