Latest Insights from the EngX Community

  • From Wind, Water and Uncertainty: The Engineering Lessons of the Golden Gate Bridge

    On 27 May 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge opened to the public, completing what was then the longest suspension bridge in the world. Spanning the turbulent Golden Gate strait between San Francisco and Marin County, the bridge represented a decisive leap in structural engineering, construction safety, and aerodynamic understanding. Nearly ninety years later, it remains a working piece of infrastructure and a reference point for engineers designing at the limits of scale. The engineering problem in context Before construction began in 1933, many experts believed a bridge across the Golden Gate was infeasible. The strait is over 1.6 km wide, with depths exceeding 100 m, powerful tidal currents, persistent fog, and strong winds flowing directly in from the Pacific Ocean. The site also lies near…

  • A brief history of the Sperry 1412 Computer

    Guest blog by Peter M Hills DipEE MSc CEng MIET The Sperry 1412 computer’s design was first postulated at Sperry Gyroscope’s Bracknell R & D department in 1967. The prototype appeared in 1968. Given that computer systems of the time were nearly the size of small houses, its applications were initially thought to be in the aerospace industry where a fast, general-purpose digital computer of shoebox dimensions and low weight would appeal to system designers. In fact, most applications were for the British and French Navies. Those applications were the Exocet MM38 missile pre-launch fire control system, operational in 1974 and its later upgrade MM40 operational in 1986, the Sea Archer GSA.7 gunfire control system for the Royal Navy, operational in 1983 and project Chevaline – a secret British…

  • Ambition vs Capability: Is the UK’s Space Vision Outpacing Its Engineering Talent?

    With growing investment in sovereign capability, resilient communications, and next-generation connectivity—including Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) and advanced Satcom—the UK’s ambition is clear. However, ambition alone does not deliver capability. The real question is whether the nation’s engineering talent base is keeping pace with the scale and complexity of these aspirations. Across industry, there is increasing concern that the UK is not producing sufficient expertise in critical domains such as radio frequency (RF) and microwave engineering, FPGA development, and digital signal processing (DSP)—skills that underpin modern satellite and defence systems. Evidence suggests this gap is both structural and persistent. According to EngineeringUK, the UK requires approximately 173,000 new…

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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
    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…

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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…

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Latest articles from E+T Magazine

  • New quantum behaviour in plutonium could reshape nuclear science, according to study

    Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory have discovered unusual quantum behaviour in a plutonium compound, with potential applications across various fields including nuclear science and quantum computing. First synthesised and isolated in 1940, plutonium is a highly radioactive, human-made metallic element used as a fuel in nuclear reactors, as a compact heat source for spacecraft and in nuclear weapons. It is the sixth element in the actinide series, a group of elements known for their complex electronic structures. To understand how plutonium’s electrons govern critical properties such as magnetism and electrical conductivity, scientists must observe those properties at the quantum level. This helps them to predict how nuclear materials will age, how to improve reactor safety and how…

  • London City Airport's plan to allow larger jets faces setback over noise concerns

    Proposals to allow larger aircraft to land at London City Airport could be put on hold as local politicians have expressed concerns about noise pollution. The airport, the capital’s most centrally located, was given permission to ramp up passenger numbers by 40% in 2024 after ministers overruled Newham Council, which had objected to the plan. But the application did not allow for an increase in the number of flights. Instead, numbers would be boosted by allowing airlines to land higher capacity next-generation planes that operate at a lower decibel level on their descent compared with others of a similar size. But in a letter to the airport’s chief executive Andy Cliffe, the London Assembly Environment Committee expresses concern “about the potential noise impacts of the proposed lower…

  • Electric TaxiBot to tow aircraft before take-off at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

    Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has launched semi-robotic electric TaxiBots to tow commercial aircraft between the gate and runway, potentially reducing CO2 emissions by around 299kg per flight. Following successful trials earlier this year, easyJet and the airport have announced that four easyJet Airbus A320neo aircraft will be fitted with TaxiBot systems. Developed by sustainable aviation solutions provider Smart Airport Systems in collaboration with aviation services firm Menzies Aviation, TaxiBot is a semi-robotic towing tug that enables aircraft to taxi between the gate and runway without using their main jet engines. Operating at speeds of up to 23 knots (42km/h), a pilot controls the TaxiBot from the cockpit and only starts the aircraft engines just before departure on the runway. During…

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