Latest Insights from the EngX Community

  • Nuclear Power in the USSR. Two pamphlets from the library collections

    Daniel Simkin, IET Library Deputy Library Manager In this blog we will look at the development of nuclear power in the USSR via two pamphlets in the IET library collections. These are First in the World! An Illustrated Description of the Soviet Atomic Electricity Station (Soviet News, 1956) and Chernobyl (Central Electricity Generating Board, 1986). I will be using the spellings Chernobyl and Kiev, rather than Chornobyl and Kyiv, as this is how they are presented in the second pamphlet. First in the World! An Illustrated Description of the Soviet Atomic Electricity Station (1956) Our first pamphlet was published as Soviet News Booklet no. 2 in London in 1956. Soviet News was a publication of the embassy of the USSR, at that time based in Rosary Gardens in South Kensington. First published…

  • Call for Abstracts: Appropriate Healthcare Technologies for Low‑Resource Settings (AHT 2026)

    Does the same technology meet healthcare needs regardless of context or economic environment? Be part of the conversation If you are developing, implementing or evaluating healthcare technologies for low‑resource settings — or learning through experience what does not work — we strongly encourage you to submit an abstract and contribute to this important global discussion. Together, we can help shape healthcare technologies that are not only innovative, but truly appropriate for the contexts where they are most needed. The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) invites abstract submissions for Appropriate Healthcare Technologies for Low‑Resource Settings (AHT 2026) — a virtual event focused on the design, innovation and engineering of healthcare technologies that genuinely…

  • Payloads of the Past: Yuri Gagarin

    A first step into the unknown On 12 April 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to travel into space, completing one orbit of the Earth aboard Vostok 1 in 108 minutes. The flight was brief, but its significance was enormous. It marked the moment humanity moved from imagining spaceflight to proving that a person could survive it, control it and return safely. Vostok 1 was more than a symbolic moment. It was a complex mission that brought together launch capability, spacecraft design, life support, communications, tracking and recovery under intense political and technical pressure. Gagarin’s mission was a milestone in the Space Race, but it was also a milestone for engineering discipline and mission assurance. Why it mattered then Gagarin’s flight arguably changed how the world…

    Aaron Russell

Latest IET EngX News

  • AI, Engineering Skills and Real‑World Challenges: May's highlights on EngX

    As we wrap up May, it has been another thoughtful and wide‑ranging month across the IET EngX community. From deep dives into engineering history and emerging technology challenges to open conversations around skills, wellbeing, and global impact, members have continued to share insight, experience and practical knowledge. Here are some of our top highlights from across EngX in May. Top Discussions This Month The forums have been as active as ever, with conversations spanning cutting‑edge technology, career development, and practical engineering challenges. A number of threads explored AI and digital transformation, including discussions such as Beyond hype: uncovering the critical research axes and future trajectories of AI‑driven digital transformation and Zero Trust was not built…

  • From Space Stories to Smart Systems: April on EngX

    April on EngX brought together a thoughtful mix of emerging technologies, industry insight and personal journeys. From a closer look at how 5G networks are evolving behind the scenes to fresh perspectives on the continuing influence of broadcast media, the blogs this month highlighted both the pace of change and the importance of understanding the fundamentals. Alongside these, inspiring career stories and reflections on the history of space exploration added a more human dimension, while discussions across the forums explored automation, energy systems and real‑world engineering trade‑offs. Here’s a look at some of the content that stood out this month: Blogs worth a read Massive MIMO: the brains behind 5G networks This detailed post from Soubhagya Ranjan Mohapatra explores how Massive…

    Lisa Miles
  • March Highlights on EngX: AI Insights, Inclusive Voices and Engineering Impact

    March was a month packed with fresh technical thinking, practical guidance, and human‑centred stories across the EngX community. From deep dives into industrial AI to personal reflections from engineers shaping their workplaces, here’s your roundup of what captured attention and sparked conversation this month. AI in Manufacturing: Why So Many Initiatives Stall One of the most thought‑provoking reads this month came from Dr Paul Johnson , whose article AI in Manufacturing: Why Most Initiatives Fail & How to Deliver Real Engineering Value explores why organisations continue to struggle with turning AI investment into meaningful operational outcomes. Johnson illustrates this through a real‑world predictive maintenance example where an AI model successfully identified early warning signs…

Latest Partner News

  • Josie Harries discusses how Domino is working to increase support for women in the workplace

    Encouraging women to choose careers in STEM subjects has been top of the agenda for many years – but what fresh ideas can you introduce within the workplace to attract and support female employees? At Domino, we are committed to improving the gender ratio in leadership roles within a business to 40% by 2030. This target, endorsed from Board level down, now stands at 25%, from a starting figure of 18%. Support networks Recently we re-launched our Women@Domino global network to promote inclusion within the business and facilitate the sharing of ideas and experiences, as well as networking, mentoring, events and training. Gender was also one of three key areas in our new Inclusion & Diversity strategy. The network is not limited to female employees; male colleagues are encouraged to participate…

  • Road to Engineering event introduces children to the world of engineering

    BAE System's Submarines Academy for Skills and Knowledge (SASK), Barrow-in-Furness successfully hosted the 6th Road to Engineering event which took place over three action-packed days. Over 200 children from the Furness area participated in the event which aims to inspire future careers in Engineering. This year's theme was 'Adapt and Change' following the British Science week theme. Supporting the event were the Institution of Engineering and Technology, the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, Barrow District of Associate Engineers and the Royal Institute of Naval Architects who contributed valuable insight, merchandise and STEM packs for schools. Stephen Rowe, Project Director of Engineering Transformation said, "It was a privilege to attend the Road to Engineering event and…

  • H&MV Engineering appointed as principal designer and contractor for the Thorpe Marsh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

    H&MV Engineering has been appointed as principal designer and contractor for the delivery of the 400 kV grid connection and electrical infrastructure for the Thorpe Marsh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) – the largest of its kind in the UK and among the largest in Europe. This landmark project, led by Fidra Energy and backed by major investment from EIG and the UK Government’s National Wealth Fund (NWF), has now reached financial close with construction commencing immediately. Located on the site of the former Thorpe Marsh coal-fired power station in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, the 1,400MW / 3,100MWh facility will be capable of exporting over 2 million MWh annually, supplying clean energy to approximately 785,000 homes. Once operational in mid-2027, it will be three times larger than…

Latest articles from E+T Magazine

  • Recycling push could slash Europe’s reliance on Chinese rare earths

    More than half of Europe’s demand for critical minerals (CRM) could be met within the continent itself if a robust recycling system is implemented, researchers have said. Europe is currently facing difficulties in sourcing enough CRMs to fuel its green, digital and defence sectors. With many countries around the world decarbonising their energy grids and moving towards electric vehicles (EVs), global demand for the elements is expected to increase. China has long been the dominant player in the market, accounting for around 70% of global mining production and over 90% of global processing of rare earth metals – a key subset of CRMs. While the elements can be found outside of China, decades of investment in supply chains mean the country has by far the most robust production pipeline. …

  • New heat-resistant material could help astronauts build on the Moon

    Researchers at Nasa have discovered a new material with extreme heat resistance that could be used in future lunar structures and vehicles. Nasa is researching ways in which future lunar astronauts could harness resources on the Moon to support life, such as using materials to build infrastructure. A team at its Glenn Research Centre in Cleveland has studied how various materials interact with melted Moon rocks, which are highly corrosive, quickly wearing through a lot of materials. They combined simulated lunar dust with a compound called scandium oxide. Following heat treatment using a furnace that can reach around 1,590°C, the mixture had formed into a completely new material – one that did not match any of the more than one million substances in their X-ray analysis database. To…

  • Ferrari unveils the Luce, its first all-electric vehicle

    Italian luxury sports car maker Ferrari has unveiled the Luce, a €550,000 electric vehicle (EV) with a top speed of 310km/h and a 530km range. Unveiled at an event in Rome, the brand said its launch marks “the beginning of a new chapter in Ferrari’s storied history of engineering excellence and innovation”. Drawing on in-house electric technology developed through its World Endurance Championship programme and ocean-racing yacht Hypersail project, the Italian marque has showcased its EV ambitions while rival brands such as Porsche and Lamborghini are scaling back. Like its predecessors, the Luce’s main components are engineered, developed and manufactured in-house at its facility in Maranello, Italy, from the electric engines to the battery pack. As such, the project includes more than…