Latest Insights from the EngX Community

  • The Space Balloon That Launched a Communications Revolution

    On 12 August 1960, a giant reflective balloon orbiting hundreds of kilometres above Earth helped demonstrate something that would change global communications forever. The satellite was Echo 1, and on that day engineers successfully transmitted radio signals across the United States by bouncing them off its surface. The achievement marked the first practical demonstration of satellite communications and opened the door to the connected world we now take for granted. Today, billions of people rely on satellite technology for television, telecommunications, navigation, weather forecasting and internet access. Yet the origins of this capability can be traced back to a remarkably simple concept: placing a large reflective object in orbit and using it as a giant mirror for radio waves. For engineers…

  • Simply, thank you

    We all know, one of the great strengths of the IET has always been the people who give their time to make it better. Across our communities, volunteers bring experience and, in many cases, a sense of unsurpassable enthusiasm that creates opportunities for others and helps keep the IET relevant, welcoming and connected. Over the past few months, I’ve learnt about a group of volunteers who have been helping us think about the future of our Communities and Networks. What has been the most impressive, isn't just the quality of the ideas that emerged from the group, but the openness with which everyone approached the conversations. Individuals with different experiences and perspectives came together, challenged each other's thinking when needed, and remained focused on what will create the greatest…

  • We all have our cheese moved

    Change is something we all experience, yet few of us truly welcome it. Whether it's a new role, new technology, organisational change, or an unexpected challenge in life, our first instinct is often to resist. We become comfortable with what we know. We build routines, develop expertise, and find confidence in familiar surroundings. Then one day, something changes. For many years, one of the books that has stayed with me is Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr Spencer Johnson. It tells a simple story, but one with a powerful message: change is inevitable, and our success is often determined by how we respond to it. Like many people, there have been times in my career when I wanted to fight back against change. I wanted things to stay the same because the familiar felt safe. Looking back, I realise…

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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…

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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

  • PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ widespread in commercial pet food, study finds

    PFAS, often referred to as forever chemicals, are frequently detected in commercial pet foods sold in Japan, particularly fish-based products, according to an Ehime University study. PFAS were first produced at the end of World War II and can now be found in everything from furniture and cosmetics to food packaging, non-stick pans and clothing. But due to their unbreakable chemical structure and widespread use, high concentrations are building up in water supplies, soil and food, raising concerns about the impact on human health. Researchers at Japan’s Ehime University analysed 100 dry and wet food products for dogs and cats sold in Japan, testing them for 34 different PFAS compounds. The study examined how PFAS patterns differed according to food type, ingredients and country-related product…

  • Relaxing EV targets could delay £1.56bn of home charger sales

    Relaxing electric vehicle (EV) targets could delay up to £1.56bn worth of UK home charger sales and installations, a trade body has warned. Officially introduced on 1 January 2024, the government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate is a series of targets to ramp up the number of EVs sold annually, until traditional internal combustion engine vehicles are ditched entirely by 2035. However, the mandate has received severe backlash from the automotive industry over concerns they’d be difficult to meet. Stellantis blamed the “stringent” targets for the consolidation of its UK manufacturing hubs at the end of 2024, putting 1,100 jobs at risk. In response to mounting pressure, ministers launched a review of the ZEV mandate. Rather than an outright ban of new petrol and diesel vehicles in…

  • Iranian hackers infiltrate and shut down UK power plant

    Iranian hackers were able to infiltrate and shut down a small UK power plant last month, The Telegraph has reported. For security reasons, it has not been disclosed which facility was impacted. But it did not affect one of Britain’s essential power plants, likely just a smaller gas-fired plant designed to act as backup when the grid is under strain. It is thought to be the first time that Iran has been able to pull off an attack of this scale, but it underlines the potential weakness that Britain’s energy grid has to overseas adversaries. The attack took the plant offline for four days in total, but according to a government source, the generator was so small it was below the legal threshold required to notify the government of cyber activity. Across the UK, there are hundreds of small…

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