Latest Insights from the EngX Community

  • The Next Milestone for Space Manufacturing Is Trust

    Advanced manufacturing is changing how spacecraft and aerospace systems are designed, produced and maintained. WAMS 2026, the third ESA/NASA International Conference on Advanced Manufacturing, brought together researchers and engineers from across industry, academia and space agencies to discuss progress in additive manufacturing, advanced joining, process monitoring and manufacturing beyond Earth. A clear theme throughout the conference was that the field is moving beyond demonstrating what can be manufactured and towards proving that these processes are repeatable, inspectable and suitable for operational use. What the First Metal Prints on the ISS Revealed One of the most notable presentations covered the first metal 3D-printing experiment conducted aboard the International Space Station…

  • 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…

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…

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…

Latest articles from E+T Magazine

  • JCB’s hydrogen-powered vehicle breaks world land speed record

    UK engineering firm JCB has set a new world land speed record of 653.909km/h (406.320mph) with the hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats. In May, JCB announced it was aiming to race a hydrogen-powered vehicle, 20 years after setting the diesel land speed record. In 2006, the JCB Dieselmax, driven by RAF Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, broke the diesel engine land speed record with a speed of 560km/h (350mph), a record that still stands. The firm decided to return to the Bonneville Salt Flats in 2026 but this time with the JCB Hydromax and, Green, the only person to break the sound barrier on land, came out of retirement to be behind the wheel. While the testing programme during June in Cambridgeshire saw the vehicle top speeds of 335km/h (208mph), the team hoped…

  • Jellyfish swarm triggers emergency shutdown at French nuclear plant

    Three reactors at a French nuclear plant have been shut down after a massive swarm of ‌jellyfish clogged seawater intake filters used to cool the facility. The Gravelines nuclear power plant, near the northern city of Dunkirk, is the largest in Western Europe, with six 900-megawatt reactors. EDF, the state-owned utility that owns the site, has been forced to implement security measures to manage a “massive influx” of jellyfish that had entered the plant’s water intake pipes and pumping stations. The plant is cooled by pumping water via a canal directly from the North Sea. Thousands of gallons of water are drawn in per minute, and it is here where the jellyfish entered. The huge mass present in the pumping station’s filtration system was effectively blocking any water from entering the…

  • Solar eclipse could cut 1GW from UK power grid tonight

    Tonight’s eclipse is estimated to see around 1GW in electricity cut from the National Grid as the effectiveness of solar panels dips dramatically. The amount of lost energy, which is equivalent to a mid-sized coal-fired power plant, will likely be supplanted by ramping up gas generators or importing energy from Europe at a time of peak demand for households. To put it in perspective, country-wide demand for energy on an average Wednesday is around 31GW, so the loss in solar represents around 3.2% of the total UK grid demand. During the event, energy firm Octopus is calling on customers to cut back on their electricity usage in an attempt to fill some of the gap. Speaking to E+T Magazine, Kieron Stopforth, the firm’s head of flexibility, said that previous customer-led initiatives have been…