Latest Insights from the EngX Community

  • Beyond AI: Biological Intelligence and Africa’s Genomic Sovereignty

    Biological Intelligence (BI) refers to computing systems built using living human brain cells (neurons) cultured on silicon chips, pioneered by companies such as Cortical Labs and other wetware-computing startups. Wetware computing merges biology with synthetic interfaces. The living neurons are grown on Multi-Electrode Arrays (MEAs) that send and receive real electrical signals. The tissue does not simply read code; it experiences the input as a pattern of physical, energetic simulation. Right now, the wetware industry is centered in European, American and Australian biotech hubs. To build these biological processors, companies use Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs), which are human skin or blood cells reprogrammed into embryonic-like stem cells state and then developed into human brain…

  • MVHR: The Design Only Works If It Can Be Built

    I’ve worked on enough MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) installations now to know that a design can look perfectly reasonable on a drawing and still become a completely different proposition once you get onto site. One project in particular brought that home to me. The MVHR design itself made sense on paper. The required extract and supply points were there, the duct routes had been considered and technically the system worked. The problem was that the building didn’t quite agree with the drawing. A central corridor formed the main route through the property, and once the other services and the actual construction were taken into account, the available space for the ductwork was far more restricted than it first appeared. That is where MVHR design becomes less about drawing…

  • The Volunteer Crew: Why communities take calculated risks

    The more time I spend working with IET volunteers, the more I realise that resilience and innovation have something else in common: both require a willingness to take risks. Now, before anyone starts worrying, I'm not talking about ignoring governance, abandoning standards, or throwing processes out of the window. Engineers are trained to understand risk, manage it, and minimise it where it matters. That's exactly what we should continue to do when safety, ethics, and public trust are involved. But when it comes to building communities, connecting people, and creating opportunities for learning, being overly risk-averse can sometimes become a barrier to progress. I've been reflecting on this after reading Be More Pirate by Sam Conniff. One of the themes that stood out to me wasn't rebellion…

Read more Community Insights ...  

 

Latest IET EngX News

  • Smarter Systems, Stronger Infrastructure: September on EngX

    With Autumn now underway in the Northern Hemisphere, September has brought another fascinating mix of ideas, insight and engineering know‑how to EngX, exploring how technology is reshaping the industries and infrastructure we rely on every day. From the impact of artificial intelligence on UK manufacturing and the growing role of private 5G networks to the challenges of modernising existing factories and securing vital water resources, this month's content highlighted the opportunities and complexities that come with engineering change. Alongside these thought‑provoking blogs, community discussions continued to tackle real‑world challenges across energy, sustainability and engineering practice, creating a valuable space for sharing expertise and fresh perspectives Blogs worth a…

  • From Industrial Waste to World Cup Audiences: August on EngX

    August brought another diverse mix of ideas, experiences and thought‑provoking discussions to the EngX community. Last month’s highlights ranged from rethinking industrial waste and exploring the future of broadcasting to examining how engineers can turn insight into action on complex projects. Alongside these blogs, members continued to share expertise across the forums, tackling topics from renewable energy and EV infrastructure to AI and the future of engineering practice. Together, they showcase the breadth of knowledge and curiosity that makes EngX such a valuable place to learn, connect and collaborate. Blogs worth a read Industrial Waste Passports: can better data unlock a circular future? What if we treated waste as the start of a new value chain rather than the end of an old…

  • 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…

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

  • Evri unveils 4ft wheels-on-legs delivery robot in Barnsley

    Delivery firm Evri has launched a trial of wheeled, two-legged autonomous delivery robots in Barnsley, the UK’s first government-backed ‘Tech Town’. The trial, in partnership with Japan-based Refined Robotics, will explore how advanced robotics can support couriers in parcel delivery. The robots will be used for what is known as last-mile delivery – the final step of the shipping process when the parcel is in the recipient’s neighbourhood and has to be delivered to their doorstep. Carrying parcels weighing up to 15kg and travelling at speeds of up to 6km/h, the four-foot-tall robots are able to navigate stairs, uneven surfaces and outdoor environments. Its two articulated legs with wheels at the feet mean the robot can roll when conditions allow and then use its legged architecture when…

  • UK launches publicly owned Great British Grid to speed up connections

    The UK government has announced the creation of Great British Grid (GBG), a publicly-owned entity tasked with speeding up connections to the grid and upgrading the electricity network. Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister, made the announcement as part of his keynote speech at the annual Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. At the start of his address, he drew strong applause from the audience when he vowed to overturn Margaret Thatcher’s 1980s reforms to give the public greater control over housing, water and energy. Focusing on the energy sector, he revealed that the new GBG will be “a publicly-owned company that will challenge the private sector operators. It will increase competition, drive down costs and speed up connections so businesses can expand and grow more quickly.” It will…

  • AC and DC ratios measured using a single device – new study

    A room-temperature diamond quantum sensor successfully unifies both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) ratio calibration within the same device set-up, according to a new study. Researchers led by Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology developed the current comparator, which can accurately measure both current ratios in single, highly integrated configuration. A current comparator is a high-precision device that uses balancing magnetic fields to measure the exact ratio between two electrical currents, helping to calibrate instruments used in power generation, transmission and distribution. Historically, because the underlying measurement principles differ for AC and DC, completely separate measurement technologies, distinct calibrations…

Read more articles from E+T Magazine ...

 

Community Rules & Guidelines