The Engineer articles from February 2007

The Engineer archives from February 2007

COMMENT: Fusion research shows collaboration works.
February 12, 2007... For those who enjoy 'on this day in history' style miscellany, today is the 53rd birthday of the UK's Atomic Energy Authority. On 12 February 1954, the new body was set up to oversee development of the nation's nuclear programme, taking...

THE BIG PICTURE: Proteus undergoes sea changes.
February 12, 2007... A more environmentally friendly design means research vessel can adapt to ocean's surface An ocean-crossing vessel that can adapt its movements to the surface of the sea has undergone sea trials in San Francisco. Marine Advanced...

THE BIG PICTURE: Let your fingers do the talking.
February 12, 2007... Researchers in Baltimore, Maryland, have completed initial trials of a miniature device to help doctors characterise Raynaud's disease and measure the effectiveness of their treatments. 'Until now, Raynaud's research has been crippled...

THE BIG PICTURE: The sky's the limit for comfort.
February 12, 2007... Boeing used the recent Middle East Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition in Dubai to unveil its ideas of luxury and comfort in the 787 VIP aircraft. 'Aboard a 787 VIP, owners can fly anywhere in the world non-stop and, on those...

IN BRIEF: Green plan for hydrogen energy.(Brief article)
February 12, 2007... A hydrogen energy project, part of the Birmingham Science City initiative, has been launched at the Science City Summit in Newcastle. The scheme, which has received #6.3m of funding from the regional development agency Advantage West Midlands,...

IN BRIEF: Making power on the move.(Brief article)
February 12, 2007... Scientists at Purdue University, Indiana, have created a portable refinery that converts food, paper and plastic into electricity. The machine, designed for the US military, would allow soldiers in the field to convert waste into power and...

IN BRIEF: Scientists seek X-ray vision.(Brief article)
February 12, 2007... Brown University researchers in Rhode Island, US, are creating a technology that will allow doctors and scientists to see inside living people and animals and watch their bones move in 3D as they move. They say this high-resolution, high-speed...

NEWS: Spin doctors.
February 12, 2007... Academia and industry combine to improve computer speed and memory A major European initiative is underway to develop a new breed of faster, low-power computing devices based on the physical phenomenon of spintronics. Computing experts...

NEWS: Molar medication.
February 12, 2007... German researchers develop dental implant designed to assist regular drug delivery For many people, particularly the elderly or those with neurodegenerative disorders, remembering when to take medication can be a problem. To help...

NEWS: Weigh ahead.
February 12, 2007... UK team aims to develop strong, lightweight nanostructured alloy able to withstand extreme temperatures UK researchers plan to develop a lightweight nanostructured aluminium alloy that is up to 10 times stronger than existing equivalents...

NEWS: Moving pictures.
February 12, 2007... EU project combining 3D images and hand-tracking technology could change how we interact with computers A project combining 3D imagery with hand-tracking and speech recognition technology could change the way in which the next generation...

NEWS: Weigh less, pay less.
February 12, 2007... Upgrading some of the technology in small planes could cut costs and pollution Research at Manchester University intended to improve some of the systems used on private jets and short-haul aircraft could help spark the development of...

NEWS: Model home.
February 12, 2007... Loughborough University plans to 'print' entire buildings using rapid prototyping-style techniques UK researchers are planning to use scaled-up rapid prototyping techniques to make the first 'printed' house a reality. Loughborough...

VIEWPOINT: When the chips are down.
February 12, 2007... Moore's Law drove the PC market for years, but Rob Enderle argues that it no longer matters and the focus needs to shift away from cost reductions and back to revenue generation Last month, Intel confirmed Moore's Law once again by...

LETTER: We're off our trolley.(Letter to the editor)
February 12, 2007... I wonder if any of our transport engineering colleagues can investigate why this country eliminated electric trolley buses. These are not to be confused with trams - whose rails were death-traps for cyclists - which most of our towns and...

LETTER: Innovative thinking.(Letter to the editor)
February 12, 2007... At last, an informed debate about the role of innovation in the future of UK manufacturing (Comment, 29 January) which deserves much recognition for raising a topic long overdue for nationwide debate. Much has been written and said about...

LETTER: Joining the rotary club.(Letter to the editor)
February 12, 2007... With reference to cutting carbon emissions, as featured in your article 'Cut carbon - and confusion' (Viewpoint, 29 January) there are several issues missing from the current debate surrounding automotive solutions, or rather proposed...

FUSION TECHNOLOGY: Fusion future.
February 12, 2007... As the debate over global warming rages, a #7bn international project, ITER, is trying to prove that nuclear fusion may ultimately provide us with cheap, safe energy. Stuart Nathan reports It begins with a synthesised voice counting down...

INSIGHT: That's entertainment.
February 12, 2007... The ever-popular SUV gets a boost as Land Rover's new Freelander 2 boasts a Dolby system that claims to be the most sophisticated to be fitted in a vehicle. Niall Firth reports The majority of 4x4 drivers in the UK are probably not that...

MANAGING TECHNOLOGY: Marriage counselling.
February 12, 2007... When companies of different sizes work together, they often face culture clashes. Tim Minshall highlights the pitfalls and possible solutions Companies are changing the way they develop new technologies, products and services in response...

MANAGING TECHNOLOGY: Driving partners.
February 12, 2007... Developing an audio system for a concept car helped Bowers & Wilkins and Jaguar explore new levels of collaboration, says Martin Lindsay At its most basic, collaboration is no more than dividing a task into sections that different...

INTERVIEW: Face of change.(Interview)
February 12, 2007... Kevin Anderson, of the Tyndall Centre, believes the West must totally re-think its climate change policy. But he warns that such a radical shift will be painful. Stuart Nathan reports Kevin Anderson, research director of the Tyndall...

DESIGN ENGINEERING: Open and shut case.
February 12, 2007... NASA bases its 'improved-focus' microshutters for the James Webb space telescope on the concept of human squinting. Siobhan Wagner explains When YOU squint, your eyelashes block out light closer to you, which has the effect of improving...

DESIGN ENGINEERING - FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY: Golden chance.
February 12, 2007... For years stop-start motoring has proved a no-go area for the use of platinum electrocatalysts in car fuel cells. US researchers believe they have solved the problem. Siobhan Wagner reports While The most efficient electro-catalyst in...

DESIGN ENGINEERING - LINEAR MOTION: Smoothing the way.
February 12, 2007... Linear motion is often taken for granted, but moving production line components along smoothly and efficiently or positioning cancer patients precisely would be a headache without it. Colin Carter reports Drives, hydraulics or pneumatics...

DESIGN ENGINEERING - DRIVES: Servo solution.
February 12, 2007... Two different industries, printing and food manufacturing, both with problems controlling motion in their manufacturing operation, have turned to modern servo drives to improve their productivity and increase reliability. A servo is a...

DESIGN ENGINEERING - FASTENERS: Joint venture.
February 12, 2007... As the use of composite materials in aircraft increases, military and civil operators need to find a new breed of fastenings that can stand increased stress and higher temperatures. Julia Pierce reports Demand for cheap airline tickets,...

CAREERS: On track for innovation.
February 12, 2007... Massive investment in rail projects such as the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and the West Coast Main Line upgrade means engineers will be spoilt for choice, says Julia Pierce With both major political parties turning their attention to...

COMMENT: Let's hear it for our universities.
February 26, 2007... Call it a knowledge economy, call it a high-value economy, call it a technology-rich economy. Call it whatever you like, but few people would argue with the fact that an economy with these virtues represents the chance for the UK to prosper in...

THE BIG PICTURE: A clean pair of wheels.
February 26, 2007... Electric concept scooter aims to provide urban commuters with affordable personal transport Could this electric-powered concept scooter be the future of commuting? Produced by GRO design, an Anglo-Dutch company based in Eindhoven in...

THE BIG PICTURE: Astute move advances sub's launch.
February 26, 2007... BAE Systems plans to launch Astute on 8 June - seven weeks ahead of schedule - thanks to an innovative construction technique. First of its class, Astute and its two sister ships, Ambush and Artful, are currently being built at BAE's...

THE BIG PICTURE: Coming home to all-in-one security.
February 26, 2007... Siemens has developed a home security device combining a range of monitoring systems - from movement detectors to gas leak alarms - in a single package. Sintony 60, which can be operated centrally or remotely, is also equipped with a panic...

IN BRIEF: Putting more laps in your laptop.(Brief article)
February 26, 2007... Scientists from Oxford University's Department of Physics are part of an international team that has been researching longer-lasting laptop and mobile phone batteries. They have been investigating sodium cobaltate, a material similar in...

IN BRIEF: Intelligent bumpers to aid safety.(Brief article)
February 26, 2007... Manchester University engineers believe an extendable car bumper could help advance computer-controlled motorways. The system would use a 'bridging damper' in the event of a signal failure. This would be an intelligent bumper, which would...

IN BRIEF: Infrared could provide electricity.(Brief article)
February 26, 2007... Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratories, Tennessee, are working to convert their sunlight-based hybrid lighting technology into a multifunctional system that also produces electricity. Using advanced optics and concentrating...

NEWS: Air of optimism.
February 26, 2007... Supercomputer is central to UK project that hopes to significantly reduce jet engine noise Residents living near airports have complained and campaigned about jet noise for years, and it is a problem that the industry is beginning to...

NEWS: Face of the future.
February 26, 2007... Barcelona to trial EU project's vision of city centres where robots do the hard work The congestion charge zone might irk many London drivers but the move towards traffic-free streets in Europe's cities has prompted the EU to fund a...

NEWS: Robo therapy.
February 26, 2007... Automated physiotherapy system aims to help patients with limb injuries and may cut waiting times A robotic system that mimics the action of trained physiotherapists could help patients with lower limb difficulties take more control of...

NEWS: Fingertip control.
February 26, 2007... Acrylic glove with built-in contactors could provide instant control of electronic equipment Imagine being able to control all the electronic equipment in your home with a snap of a finger. That is what researchers at Engineered Fibre...

NEWS: Power hungry.
February 26, 2007... Nine-organisation co-operative to develop EU-backed project to build large, solid oxide fuel cell power plants Current solid oxide fuel cell systems (SOFCs) produce a typical power range of 1-5kW, far from sufficient to meet the...

NEWS: In the faster stream.
February 26, 2007... UK university takes the lead in three-year collaboration to improve mobile data rates Ultra-fast 4G mobile handsets and mobile systems that can stream live video and music at extremely high data rates are to move a step closer, thanks to...

VIEWPOINT: Electronics get serious.
February 26, 2007... The Electronics Leadership Council is pulling together all sections of the industry to promote the technology, says Harry Tee I was delighted to be invited by the former industry minister, Alun Michael, to be the first chairman of the...

LETTER: Streamline design.(Letter to the editor)
February 26, 2007... The motor industry gets a great deal of prominence, mainly for its technological 'advances'. I specialise in race engines, but sometimes undertake work on road engines. It's clear that engine bay design trends in the automotive industry...

LETTER: Trolley bad show.(Letter to the editor)
February 26, 2007... In reply to the comments by Max Lazarus on the merits of the trolley bus (Letters, 12 February) I used them when at school and I understand they were phased out for a number of reasons. To start with, one bus could not pass another that...

LETTER: A question of stages.(Letter to the editor)
February 26, 2007... Is the engine Andrew Porter describes in his comments on thermodynamics (Letters, 12 February) two-stage? The efficiency of a single-stage thermodynamic engine cannot exceed the Carnot value, which is only a function of the temperature...

PROSTHETICS: Body shop.
February 26, 2007... A new generation of prostheses that closely mimic, and may one day surpass, the performance of our own limbs could soon make the 'bionic man' a reality. Jon Excell reports 'Steve Austin: astronaut. A man barely alive. We can rebuild him....

INSIGHT: Going steady.
February 26, 2007... Creaform's Handyscan, the first hand-held self-positioning 3D laser scanner on the market, is already finding a niche in motor racing and the medical field. Niall Firth reports In early 2002 two young entrepreneurs set up Canadian...

MANAGING - TECHNOLOGY: Boarding school.
February 26, 2007... Attracting non-executive directors to your start-up can make growth easier and less painful, says Simon Hombersley, of technology development group Lontra Rapid growth of a company can be a challenging process. The growing pains can be...

MANAGING - TECHNOLOGY: Sell to survive.
February 26, 2007... Internal marketing communications can help a multi-discipline engineering consultant, say Michael Brown and Philip Norris Marketing communications is traditionally thought of as an organisation's efforts to promote the services or products...

INTERVIEW: Driving force.(Interview)
February 26, 2007... MIRA's Dr Anthony Baxendale believes telematics holds the key to a range of benefits, from fuel efficiency to passenger safety. Niall Firth reports Viewed from above, one could certainly get the impression that MIRA primarily focuses on...

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING: Match makers.
February 26, 2007... German researchers believe they can accurately match the colours of different car body parts, thanks to the development of a multispectral imaging program. Siobhan Wagner reports EXACT colour matching of different parts of a car has until...

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING - NANOTECH: Shining example.
February 26, 2007... UK company develops cost-effective way to individually measure and visualise all nanoparticles within product samples in real-time. Siobhan Wagner reports It might look fine on the surface, but hidden inside a product's nanoscale nooks...

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING - REFINING: Cracking an oil supply.
February 26, 2007... A US company has discovered a way of processing ultra-thick oil buried in tar sands to make a product that could supply worldwide industries. Siobhan Wagner reports Useful oil is becoming increasingly hard to find. As global reserves...

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING - AUTOMATION: Automatic reaction.
February 26, 2007... With the boom in automation, a vast array of advanced technologies is now available to help us move the increasingly larger amounts of data. Colin Carter explains Press articles, industry gurus such as Jim Pinto and organisations...

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING - MEASUREMENT: Exacting task.
February 26, 2007... Today's press-produced components must be measured and calibrated to a degree of accuracy unheard of even a decade ago. Mark Venables looks at what is on offer Recent years have seen a rapid improvement in the quality of manufactured...

SPECIAL REPORT: Putting on a better performance.
February 26, 2007... For key suppliers to the maintenance and asset management industries eager to improve their operations, next month's Maintec 2007 could help provide some answers. Julia Pierce reports Between 20 and 22 March, the NEC will host Maintec...