Latest Insights from the EngX Community

  • William Morris Mordey

    Guest blog by Alex Mordey Look at almost any electrical device in your home. The phone charger, the kettle, the television, printed or moulded beside the voltage figures, you will find a small wavy line: ∿. The alternating current sinusoidal wave (or Sine wave). It is one of the most reproduced symbols on earth, stamped onto every mains appliance ever manufactured, and almost nobody knows its origin. It was proposed in a single sentence, one evening, in a lecture theatre at the Institution of Electrical Engineers in 1889, by a self-taught telegraph clerk named William Morris Mordey. Ninety six years later the same Institution sat on the British committee that wrote his symbol into law. The AC Sine wave is only the most visible of his legacies. Behind it sits a body of work that helped build…

  • Curiosity, Courage and a Life at Sea: Exploring the World while building an Engineering career

    When I spoke with Leroy Osbourne FIET, CEng, MSc , for our 'My Engineering Career' blog series, I expected to hear about warships, sonar systems and a successful engineering career spanning the Royal Navy and industry. What I didn't expect was a story full of curiosity, adventure, resilience and lifelong learning. From a young boy fascinated by electricity and aeroplanes to a Chartered Engineer, IET Fellow and engineering leader, Leroy's journey demonstrates that there is no single route into engineering. In fact, some of the most rewarding careers begin with simply asking questions and refusing to stop learning. "I just wanted to know how things worked" For Leroy, engineering wasn't a carefully planned career choice. It was the natural outcome of a childhood spent being curious. Growing…

  • Engineering the Adaptive Workspace: From Asset Maintenance to System Strategy

    Managing change in modern engineering requires a radical shift in how we look at infrastructure . For generations, the focus has been on maintaining physical buildings. Today, the true challenge lies at the intersection of workplace strategy, data-driven insights, and human centric design. As the former Head of Research and Insight at the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) and now working at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) within our Local Networks, I have spent my career tracking how disruption shapes industry. The biggest disruption we face today is not a specific technology, but a fundamental change in the purpose of our workspaces. The Evolution of the Workplace The traditional office environment is no longer just a physical structure where…

Read more Community Insights ...  

 

Latest IET EngX News

  • Curiosity, AI and the Future of Engineering - July's Highlights on EngX

    July on EngX was packed with thought‑provoking ideas, career reflections and practical engineering conversations. From exploring the decision‑making challenges behind artificial intelligence to rethinking how we design workplaces and infrastructure, the community shared a wide range of perspectives on how engineering continues to evolve. Alongside these future‑focused topics, personal career stories and lively forum discussions reminded us that some of the most valuable insights come from sharing experiences with one another. Here's a look at some of the content that stood out this month. Blogs worth a read Dead on Arrival: Why fresh produce needs a digital brain, not just a GPS This fascinating blog explored how digital twins, IoT sensors and predictive AI could help tackle one of…

  • June Highlights on EngX: Digital twins, decarbonisation and community conversations

    June on EngX brought together a fascinating mix of future-focused thinking, practical engineering challenges and inspiring community stories. From exploring how digital twins are transforming decision-making across industries to tackling the realities of decarbonising energy-intensive sectors, members continued to share insight, experience and expertise. Alongside these technical discussions, stories celebrating engineering talent, STEM education and inclusion helped showcase the people driving our profession forward. Here’s a look at some of the content that stood out this month. Blogs worth a read Digital twins in motion: why a multi-disciplinary debate matters now Digital twins have rapidly evolved from an emerging concept into a practical engineering tool, and this blog explored…

  • 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…

Read more from IET EngX News ...  

 

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…

Read more from Partner News...

Latest articles from E+T Magazine

  • A-level day: Engineering and technology courses see 14% surge in acceptances

    There has been a 14% year-on-year increase in the number of students being accepted into engineering and technology degree courses this year, UCAS data has revealed. With A-level results announced today, it’s been revealed that the top three subjects with the largest growth in acceptances overall are engineering and technology, with 34,100 placed applicants (+14% on last year), followed by social sciences with 48,840 placed applicants (+6%), and then law with 28,590 placed applicants (+5%). With student loan debt and cost-of-living pressures mounting, the increase could suggest a trend towards students veering towards more vocational degrees. Public perceptions around engineering are also shifting, with the subject no longer exclusively seen as traditional civil or mechanical work. In…

    E+T Magazine
    E+T Magazine

  • Extreme space weather raises radiation risk for aircraft passengers

    Severe solar storms can increase radiation exposure at cruising altitudes and disrupt onboard systems, researchers have said. Space weather is a consequence of the behaviour of the Sun, the nature of Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere, and our location in the Solar System. It drives changes in the electromagnetic and radiation environment in near-Earth space, in the atmosphere and at the surface. As such, it can represent a real threat to human technology, including satellites and power grids. The most severe solar radiation storms can travel from the Sun to Earth in as little as 10 minutes. A study led by the Surrey Space Centre (SSC) found that extreme space weather events can significantly increase radiation exposure at typical flight altitudes of 8km to 14km for aircraft passengers…

  • Latex party balloon biodegrades in nine months rather than decades

    A biodegradable latex party balloon has been designed to break down completely after use, without leaving behind harmful chemical residues or microplastics. Developed following three years of research by a team at Imperial College London, Bioloon has many of the properties associated with conventional latex balloons - stretchiness, ease of blowing up and ability to stay inflated - but it can be used multiple times and degrades far more quickly. While made from natural rubber, balloons are treated with a process called sulphur vulcanisation, which relies on harmful chemicals. Once a party or event is over, these balloons are usually thrown away. However, they don’t degrade easily and if they find their way into the environment, they can be hazardous to natural habitats and wildlife. …

Read more articles from E+T Magazine ...

 

Community Rules & Guidelines