Latest Insights from the EngX Community

  • The Next Generation of Metals: Forging Our Future in Extreme Environments

    As engineers, we look at the world not just as it is, but as what it could be. Personally, the evolution of materials and the advancements in engineering that enable those developments absolutely fascinate me. My passion started young, always fascinated with the engineering of exotic metals and the concepts behind using them in innovative ways. I remember watching films and animations featuring robotics and powerful exoskeleton suits, which helped develop an already overactive imagination. The idea that we could use clever design and advanced materials to physically extend our reach and improve our resilience is a powerful motivator. This enthusiasm drives my interest in the development of new, wonderful ways that can help us grow toward unknown possibilities for humanity. From the crushing…

  • How is the automotive industry evolving, and what is driving the shift toward Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs)?

    Over the past 15 years, the automotive industry has shifted from emphasizing mechanical features like torque and horsepower to a software-centric approach emphasizing driver convenience, assistance, infotainment, and connectivity. This evolution is driven by changing customer expectations—today’s users seek continuous feature updates, personalized services, and on-demand functionalities even after purchasing a vehicle. These demands are pushing the industry toward Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs), which offer flexibility, upgradability, data-driven insights, and seamless connectivity. I witnessed how customer expectations began to mirror their digital lifestyles, treating vehicles as extensions of their smart devices. This transformation sparked my interest in how software could redefine user…

  • The Future of Lean: From Factory Floor to Digital Sustainability

    Blog by Ketan Varia The IET Manufacturing Technical Network (MTN) hosted a global webinar on The Future of Lean on the 16 September 2025 , attracting 160 attendees from around the world. You can also view the on demand event. Lean thinking began as a simple but powerful mindset: create value, reduce waste, make things flow, and avoid overstressing processes. Over the decades, it has evolved, flourished, and quietly embedded itself in surprising places. Today, Lean stands at a crossroads; facing the challenges of digital transformation, sustainability, and global economic shifts. Lean and Sustainability: A Green Imperative Professor Konstantinos (Kostas) Salonitis of Cranfield University’s Sustainable Manufacturing Systems Centre opened the MTN webinar with a compelling vision: Lean…

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Latest IET EngX News

  • October Highlights on EngX: AI, Automation & Inspiring Journeys

    October was packed with fresh perspectives, bold ideas, and some truly inspiring stories from across the IET EngX community. Whether you’re into robotics, broadcasting, space tech or volunteering, there was something for everyone. Here’s a look back at what got people talking. Broadcasting Meets Sustainability In Behind the Broadcast , Gemma Hadley explored how the BBC is trialling solar-powered transmission stations in Ghana. It’s a fascinating look at how engineers are tackling sustainability and operational safety in broadcasting—especially in unpredictable climates like the UK. Why the UK Needs More Robots Professor Mike Wilson made a compelling case for automation in his Robotics lecture at IET Savoy Place. From cobots to humanoids, the UK’s productivity challenge might just have…

  • From Vacuum Flasks to Digital Inclusion: September on EngX

    As we step into autumn, let’s take a moment to reflect on the conversations and insights that sparked engagement across the IET EngX community throughout September. From historical engineering marvels to forward-looking debates and inclusive initiatives, here’s a roundup of what caught our attention last month. Engineering History Meets Everyday Life From our 'On this day in Engineering History' series, Hot Tea, Cold Science took us back to 1842 to celebrate the birth of Sir James Dewar, the mind behind the vacuum flask. This deceptively simple invention, rooted in cryogenics, has had a lasting impact from space missions to your morning coffee! A brilliant reminder of how foundational engineering principles can lead to timeless solutions. Read the post Global Perspectives on Engineering…

  • August on EngX: Fresh Ideas and Forward Thinking

    August brought a fresh wave of ideas, reflections, and hands-on inspiration across the EngX community. From thought-provoking blog posts to engaging forum discussions, here’s a look at what sparked conversation this month. Inspiring Future Engineers: IET Auckland’s ‘Project X’ Workshop On 12 August, the IET Auckland Network hosted its second annual ‘Project X’ electronics workshop at Waikowhai Intermediate School. This hands-on event aimed to ignite curiosity and creativity in young minds through engineering. Students explored circuits, built devices, and got a taste of real-world problem-solving. Read the full post Are You an Engineer If You Can’t Fix a Washing Machine? Richard Bodin reflects on a question his mother once asked him, sparking a philosophical journey through what it…

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Latest Partner News

  • Smarter Switching and the Energy Equation: A New Focus for Data Centre Efficiency

    As the digital economy continues to scale, the pressure on data centres to deliver performance without excessive power use is rising fast. Operators are being asked to do more with less - less space, less carbon, and less certainty about future demand. This challenge has triggered major investment in more efficient power and cooling systems. But a less obvious part of the infrastructure stack is starting to demand attention: switching. Whilst switching has long been seen as a stable, almost background function of data centre operations, its role in energy consumption is growing. As data volumes surge and workloads become increasingly complex, especially in AI-rich environments, the traditional model of optoelectronic switching is struggling to keep pace. The result is unnecessary power consumption…

  • Validating a Megawatt Charging System for Heavy Goods Vehicles

    Project background Voltempo became the first industry partner to trial at the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Net Zero Innovation Centre (ANZIC), running early validation of its next-generation HyperCharger—a modular Megawatt Charging System (MCS) designed and manufactured in Birmingham for electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs) and commercial fleets. The architecture is scalable beyond 1 MVA and supports simultaneous rapid charging across multiple outlets, positioning it for depot and hub applications central to the UK’s freight decarbonisation plans. The ANZIC engagement was delivered with PNDC (a University of Strathclyde facility), marking the first full-scale industrial trial at the centre and showing how academic–industry collaboration can de-risk grid-connected, megawatt-scale…

  • Prime Minister launches UK’s new Industrial Strategy at HORIBA MIRA

    Earlier this year HORIBA MIRA was proud to host Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, and Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds for the launch of the UK’s new Industrial Strategy (Monday 23 June 2025). The announcement provided a national spotlight on the people, capabilities, and ground-breaking work being driven from the heart of the Midlands and took place at HORIBA MIRA’s Kinematics & Compliance facility. Bringing together media, government, and members of the community, the event marked not just a proud moment for HORIBA MIRA, but a celebration of the shared purpose, collaboration, and capability that runs throughout HORIBA globally. A significant milestone for British industry, the Industrial Strategy sets out a long-term…

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Latest articles from E+T Magazine

  • Drones capable of lifting people spark security fears in UK prisons

    Criminals are increasingly using sophisticated drones to infiltrate prisons to deliver contraband such as drugs or aid in prison escapes, MPs have warned. In a report, the Justice Committee said that the use of illicit drugs and their trade across prisons has reached “endemic” levels, which is fostering a “dangerous culture of acceptance that must be broken”. But it is the emergence of drones to deliver the drugs that represents a “paradigm shift” in how prisons should be thinking about tackling the drugs trade. As well as being able to bypass traditional perimeter security to deliver packages, the committee also heard about drones that could lift “a moderate-sized person”, which raises the threat that they could be used to aid in prison escapes. Recent data on drone incidents published…

  • O2 and Starlink team up to boost rural UK mobile coverage

    Virgin Media O2 has announced a deal with Elon Musk’s Starlink to bring satellite-based connectivity to rural areas across the UK. The deal will provide coverage in previous rural ‘not spots’ by automatically connecting phones via satellites when no standard mobile signal is available. Scheduled to launch in the first half of 2026, the new service, O2 Satellite, will initially offer messaging, maps and location services, with further improvements, such as voice and video calls, to follow. Virgin Media O2 has said the deal could see over 95% of the UK landmass covered within 12 months of launch. The service will connect to Starlink’s network of around 650 satellites, a satellite-to-mobile constellation in low-Earth orbit (LEO), delivering connectivity directly to compatible devices using…

  • Virgin gets green light to introduce trains on Channel Tunnel route for the first time

    The Virgin Group has announced a “landmark decision” by the rail regulator that allows it to press ahead with plans to launch a rival train service through the Channel Tunnel. Rail regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has approved Virgin’s use of the Temple Mills International depot in East London. Virgin says this “landmark decision” means it can now move ahead with its plans to launch a rival international train service through the Channel Tunnel, introducing competition on the route for the first time. Eurostar has had exclusive use of the Channel Tunnel up to now, with around 400 trains passing through the tunnel each day. Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, said: “The ORR’s decision is the right one for consumers – it’s time to end this 30-year monopoly. …

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