Latest Insights from the EngX Community

  • AI in Manufacturing: Why Most Initiatives Fail & How to Deliver Real Engineering Value

    This article builds on discussions from the “AI, Ethics and Manufacturing” event hosted by the Manufacturing Technical Network in collaboration with the Mersey & West Cheshire Local Network and the AI Technical Network, which took place on 27 January 2026. The session explored the practical realities of implementing AI in manufacturing – moving beyond ambition and into execution. What became clear is that the challenge is no longer understanding AI – it’s making it work where it actually matters. The technology is advancing rapidly, and its potential is widely recognised. The real difficulty lies in applying it effectively within operational environments, where processes are complex, data is imperfect, and decisions carry real consequences. In one manufacturing facility, a production line…

  • What does accreditation mean to you?

    Many of us are looking to develop ourselves in our careers as well as personal aspirations. Learning & development is at the heart of everything we do to progress, invite new opportunities and grow as individuals. It keeps us current and enables us to deliver a positive impact on business goals whilst fulfilling the desire to expand our skills and knowledge. Training is key to continued professional development and is delivered any many ways - from experiential learning from peers and coaches to attending training courses that focus on specific skills & knowledge gaps. Having spent much of my career in L&D - designing and delivering training, and managing wider learning portfolios, I’ve seen first-hand the impact the right learning can have. But there’s one question that comes up time…

  • From BIM to CNC: Ensuring Digital Fabrication Through ISO 19650 Information Management

    Building Information Modelling (BIM) has transformed how buildings are designed, coordinated, and documented. Digital models now enable multidisciplinary teams to collaborate within shared information environments, improving coordination and reducing errors throughout design and construction. However, a critical question remains within digital construction: Can BIM models reliably support fabrication and CNC-based manufacturing? In many projects, BIM models are primarily used for coordination, clash detection, and documentation. Yet, when projects move toward industrialised construction or digital fabrication, models must do more than represent geometry; they must contain structured, validated, and fabrication-ready information . Without clear information governance, the transition…

    Shahin Khalilian in CEng

Latest IET EngX News

  • February Highlights on EngX: AI shifts, cyber reality checks, and conversations that got us thinking

    February on EngX brought another lively mix of thought‑provoking blogs, practical engineering discussions and broader reflections on how technology is shaping the world we work in. From unravelling sustainability terminology to exploring the foundations of AI, assessing the UK's cyber readiness and reflecting on the potential of hydro sites for pumped‑storage energy, the community continued to share knowledge and support one another. Here’s a round‑up of what caught the eye this month. Blogs worth a read ClimateTech, CleanTech, DeepTech… what’s the difference? Dr. Mohammad Harris tackled an issue that resonates across engineering and sustainability circles, the confusing overlap between terms like climate tech, clean tech and deep tech. Speaking from industry experience, he explained…

  • Innovation, Safety and Systems Thinking: January highlights on EngX

    The start of a new year always brings fresh conversations, new ideas, and thoughtful reflection, and January on IET EngX was no exception. From forward looking technical insights and policy discussions to lively forum debates and career focused questions, our community has been busy sharing knowledge and supporting one another. Here’s a roundup of some of the blogs and discussions that caught our attention during January 2026 and sparked great engagement across the platform. Blogs worth a read From racing cars to electric dreams: the origins of EV innovation One of the standout career‑focused blogs this month explored the career of Sir John Samuel from his early roots of electric vehicle innovation and tracing his journey from motorsport engineering to pioneering EV development. Personal…

  • December Highlights on EngX: Celebrations, reflections and a look to the future

    December on EngX had that familiar end‑of‑year feeling, a blend of celebration, reflection, and excitement for what’s ahead. It was a month filled with stories of global impact, technical achievement, and inspiring people across our engineering community. Celebrating Global Communities and a year of impact One of the most uplifting posts this month came from Mariana Vazquez in Celebrating Our Global Communities: A Year of Impact and Innovation . It offered a wonderful look at just how far the IET’s volunteer‑driven activities reached in 2025. She shared that the IET’s Local and Technical Networks delivered over 900 events globally , welcoming more than 51,000 participants , with activity across 25+ countries . Technical Networks also expanded their reach, with webinars accessed in 101…

Latest Partner News

  • 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…

  • In-flight Broadband Connectivity and Experimentation for Beyond 5G Networks “AeroNet”

    This work is supported by the HORIZON-MSCA-2024-SE-01-01, Project ID 101236523 and Innovate UK. Total amount is €1.8 million for five Universities and 3 Industries in EU and UK. Raed A Abd-Alhameed, Viktor Doychinov, Vuong Mai, Ifiok Otung University of Bradford, (UoB), Organisation in United Kingdom London South Bank University (LSB), Organisation in United Kingdom Technische Universität Dresden (TDN) - Organisation in Germany University of Athens (UoA) - Organisation in Greece University of Trento (UDT) - Organisation in Italy Fogus Innovations and Services PC (FGS) - Organisation in Greece Sigint Solutions Ltd (SGT) - Organisation in Cyprus JIO Platforms (JIO) - Organisation in Estonia Fogus Innovations and Service P.C. (FGS), Athens, Greece Sigint Solutions Ltd (SGT), Nicosia, Cyprus…

Latest articles from E+T Magazine

  • Flexible hydrogel could power your wearables using just body heat

    A soft material that converts body heat into electricity could pave the way for self-powered wearable devices, according to a new study. Researchers at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane, Australia, found that a soft hydrogel was able to capture wasted heat and turn it into usable electrical power with “record efficiency”. Low-grade heat is widely distributed in industrial processes, the environment and even the human body, accounting for a significant share of global energy loss. In their research, the team investigated how efficiently a soft hydrogel material could convert this wasted heat into electricity using the thermal diffusion process known as the Soret effect. The hydrogel achieves this by controlling how charged particles move through a soft polymer network…

  • Heathrow’s plan for major increases to landing fees blocked by the regulator

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has rejected efforts from Heathrow to significantly raise its landing fees to fund a series of upgrades to the airport. While Heathrow Airport is privately owned and run, it is strictly regulated by the CAA as it has an effective monopoly on many international long-haul flights, which could lead to steep price increases without government intervention. With the current regulatory period coming to an end, the CAA has just published its initial proposals for the next period covering 2027 to 2031. While Heathrow wanted a 17% increase to landing charges (around £33 per passenger), the CAA set the cap on airport charges at between £27.20 and £30.50 per passenger. The airport is currently undergoing a £10bn transformation plan that will see the demolition…

  • External displays on driverless vehicles could reduce risk to runners and pedestrians

    Driverless cars could be fitted with external displays to help them communicate with vulnerable road users such as runners and cyclists. Researchers at the University of Glasgow and KAIST in South Korea have used augmented reality tech to explore how runners’ behaviour differs from walkers’ when crossing roads and junctions. They found that runners are much more likely to take risks when negotiating traffic than walkers and often took less time to process the road conditions around them. On several occasions, they were ‘struck’ by virtual vehicles in the team’s simulated road tests. The team suggested that displays of lights on the exteriors of cars called external human-machine interfaces, or eHMIs, could enable them to communicate their intentions more quickly and effectively. These…