The Engineer articles from June 2007

The Engineer archives from June 2007

COMMENT: Nuclear waste not, want not.
June 4, 2007... The shape of the UK's nuclear future is slowly beginning to emerge. A previously confidential report released alongside the government's statement on nuclear energy reveals a list of sites deemed the most suitable to host a new generation of...

THE BIG PICTURE: An eye on the small screen.
June 4, 2007... Micro display glasses promise at-home TV experience for commuters with portable DVD players Newly-developed micro display-equipped glasses promise to give those watching the small screen of a portable DVD player during the daily commute...

THE BIG PICTURE: Time for something completely different.
June 4, 2007... With clock displays becoming ubiquitous on most mobile phones, wristwatches could be seen as becoming redundant. One Australian company, however, has flipped that trend on its head by giving a normal looking digital wristwatch mobile phone...

THE BIG PICTURE: Sappers to get heavyweight workhorse.
June 4, 2007... The MoD has unveiled Tellar, a #415,000 heavily-protected vehicle to transport bomb disposal teams. The vehicle, developed by the Specialist and Utility Vehicles Integrated Project Team at Defence Equipment and Support, is scheduled to...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Fingers on the pulse.(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... Researchers at the Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) at the University of Surrey have reported a new technique for UV laser processing of thin film silicon for applications such as display control circuits and solar cells. The improvements...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Zigbee to the rescue.(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... A recent project could make it easier to locate vulnerable people such as children and the elderly who find themselves lost in towns and cities. CityBee, funded by the EU's Sixth Framework Programme,is working on developing a low-cost wireless...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Cool energy conversion.(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... Engineers from Aston University, Birmingham, have joined a national consortium to investigate enhanced biomass production and energy conversion. The overall aim of the project - funded to the tune of #860,000 by the EPSRC - is improve ways of...

NEWS: Thrice as nice.
June 4, 2007... Vision tracking and still holograms have been combined to produce 3D television Holographic television is one of those staples of science fiction that has proved far more difficult in practice than in theory. But a team in Germany is...

NEWS: Light bulb moment.
June 4, 2007... The nano-LED may improve the efficiency of PC monitors and TVs and produce the elusive pure white light A light-emitting diode with the potential to be brighter and more efficient than current devices has been developed by Cranfield...

NEWS: Long-life surgery.
June 4, 2007... A computer modelling system may soon identify which hip implants are most likely to succeed for the long term When a patient undergoes hip replacement surgery, the ultimate aim is for the implant to outlive them and give them a pain-free...

NEWS: Under pressure.
June 4, 2007... More efficient turbine engine has the potential to reduce fuel use and carbon emissions, developers claim A gas turbine engine with the potential to be up to 20 per cent more efficient than comparable systems has been designed by UK...

NEWS: Foot off the pedal.
June 4, 2007... In-car device aims to persuade drivers to change their habits and be more economical with petrol A consortium led by Brunel University is developing an in-car device that gathers information on how a vehicle is being driven and tells...

NEWS: Material witness.
June 4, 2007... Textiles with sensor capabilities may help measure the health of those operating in extreme conditions An EU-funded consortium is developing intelligent textiles to measure the health of athletes, diabetics or people working in extreme...

VIEWPOINT: Ethics are a matter of principle.
June 4, 2007... Medicine, law and science all raise ethical issues of interest to the general public. Those applied to mainstream engineering deserve to be treated with the same degree of respect, argues John Uff Later this month a special conference...

LETTER: Wind of change.(Letter to the editor)
June 4, 2007... Your article 'Silent Revolution' (Insight, 21 May) came up with a rare aesthetically pleasing, silent wind turbine design. One open question to the architects, however. Could not a sixth turbine be fitted in at the base of the triangle to...

LETTER: Fluorescent myth.(Letter to the editor)
June 4, 2007... Andrew Porter's letter 'LED is the answer' (Talking Point, 21 May) is rather misleading, and it would be unfortunate if it were to create an urban myth about fluorescent lamps since they are undoubtedly very effective in reducing the power...

LETTER: Cool answer.(Letter to the editor)
June 4, 2007... Tony Oliver (Talking Point, 7 May) is correct. Geochemical evidence shows atmospheric CO2 was in the past far higher than today's 384ppm. Indeed it was possibly much higher than he states - possibly 6,000ppm 200 million years ago. ...

LETTER: Risk management.(Letter to the editor)
June 4, 2007... BP's executive education initiative announcement is a reflection of a wider need to have access to a broad range of skills to manage risk and should be applauded. It is very easy to point fingers at such initiatives, accusing them of...

ELECTRIC PROPULSION: Shipping forecast.
June 4, 2007... In an unusual role reversal, the military trails in the wake of the commercial sector in the move towards the all-electric ship. George Coupe reports When the Royal Navy launched Daring, the first of its new Type 45 Class destroyers, last...

INSIGHT: Taking the liberty.
June 4, 2007... The largest cruise ship in the world, packed with on-board entertainment, has just set sail for the first time. Niall Firth reports on the engineering challenges of building the #400m vessel Cruise ships have something of an image problem....

MANAGING TECHNOLOGY: Behind schedule.
June 4, 2007... Transport can improve its new technology take-up by learning from more adventurous sectors, says Liz Orme Policy makers are increasingly accepting that we cannot build our way out of congestion. However, we need to make changes in key...

MANAGING TECHNOLOGY: Teamwork wins.
June 4, 2007... Save time and money by using collaborative techniques in the workplace, says John MacKrell Companies wanting to improve teamwork among staff in different locations are increasingly using collaboration techniques. A variety of technologies...

INTERVIEW: The observer.(Interview)
June 4, 2007... Mick Johnson, director of mission systems at EADS Astrium, is heading a project that aims to keep the UK number one in space instrumentation. Stuart Nathan reports One of the most important jobs for the myriad satellites orbiting the...

DESIGN ENGINEERING: Moved to tiers.
June 4, 2007... UK universities collaborate on a project to understand better the dynamic loads crowds exert on grandstand structures to help make future venues safer. Siobhan Wagner explains Anyone lucky enough to get tickets to this year's FA Cup Final...

DESIGN ENGINEERING - POWER TRANSMISSION: Conversion course.
June 4, 2007... German engineering giant develops next-generation technology to improve efficiency of long-distance power transmission from offshore wind farms. Siobhan Wagner reports While European governments have been putting significant funding into...

DESIGN ENGINEERING - ADHESIVES: Chemical reaction.
June 4, 2007... Recently-introduced EU legislation and industry-led initiatives aim to help adhesives manufacturers produce safer alternatives for us and the environment. Julia Pierce reports IN COMMON with other sectors, the adhesives industry is coming...

COMMENT: Business needs more than the gift of the gab.
June 18, 2007... About seven million people tuned into the final episode of The Apprentice to see Sir Alan Sugar say 'you're hired' to the winner of the BBC reality show. The programme has become something of a minor national institution over the past...

THE BIG PICTURE: Sky-high ambitions for Aurora.
June 18, 2007... European plans for a mission to Mars continue to advance Developments in the UK space programme were showcased last week at 'From Mars to Earth', an event that reported on progress in space exploration and Earth observation. Astrium,...

THE BIG PICTURE: Space station gets power from Atlantis.
June 18, 2007... ASTRONAUTS from NASA's space shuttle Atlantis are installing a new truss element on the International Space Station so the orbital laboratory will have continuous electrical power, even when eclipsed by the Earth's shadow. The Starboard 3...

THE BIG PICTURE: GM charges ahead with electric car.
June 18, 2007... US car giant General Motors is a step closer to bringing its new generation electric hybrid car into production by awarding development contracts for the most important component: the battery. The Chevrolet Volt, launched at this year's...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Luxury space jet.(Brief article)
June 18, 2007... Astrium has launched a luxurious alternative to the 'vomit comet' for wealthy space tourists who want to experience weightlessness from the comfort of a business jet-like vehicle. The space jet will take off and land from conventional...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Magnetic influence.(Brief article)
June 18, 2007... A #3m government grant will further wide-ranging research into magnets, superconductors and advanced electronic devices, plus the corrosion of museum artifacts and the development of fuel cells. The award goes to Warwick and Liverpool...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Semiconductor deal.(Brief article)
June 18, 2007... Silterra Malaysia and IMEC, an independent European nanoelectronics and nanotechnology research centre based in Belgium, are to mass-produce semiconductors. They have a joint development to create a foundry- compatible 90nm complementary...

NEWS: Light years ahead.
June 18, 2007... Researchers hope to make hydrogen-powered vehicles more efficient by developing lightweight storage materials MANY existing hydrogen-powered cars need a heavy tank the size of a fridge to store their fuel, hampering their range and...

NEWS: Sea source.
June 18, 2007... A wave power generator designed in Edinburgh could provide a cheaper and more reliable source of energy A simple, robust and reliable wave power generator that operates like a hydroelectric power station is to be installed on Orkney this...

NEWS: Metastasis on a microchip.
June 18, 2007... A lab-on-a-chip could soon help doctors choose the right medication and dosage for cancer patients A lab-on-a-chip developed at Twente University in The Netherlands will enable doctors to choose the right type and dosage of medication...

NEWS: Squadron leaders.
June 18, 2007... Individual drones may co-ordinate their flight paths to form swarms of UAVs A swarm of UAVs that can fight together as a group is being developed in a project headed by Cranfield University. The research aims to create an airborne...

NEWS: Shock treatment.
June 18, 2007... Electric vehicles with 'smart wheels' could give a better drive than conventional cars Scientists at Portsmouth University are deploying their expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) to help Hampshire-based PML Flightlink develop...

NEWS: Fishy business.
June 18, 2007... The way hammerhead sharks look for food may prove useful for locating hidden flaws in materials A technology based on the way that hammerhead sharks hunt for food could soon help engineers discover hidden flaws in the materials used to...

NEWS: Differential calculus.
June 18, 2007... UK company claims new transmission will benefit rally drivers and engineers A NEW transmission system will benefit drivers and engineers in the challenging world of extreme rally racing, its UK developer has claimed. Xtrac produced...

VIEWPOINT: A change of flight plan.
June 18, 2007... UK aerospace is leading the way to minimize the impact of aviation on climate change and is keen to work with its international counterparts to deliver long-term solutions, says Sally Howes I believe that delivering sustainable aviation...

LETTER: Hidden risks of the nuclear industry.(Letter to the editor)
June 18, 2007... Re proposals to build new nuclear power stations in the UK, (Leader, 4 June) the International Energy Agency has said any new nuclear programme must be funded entirely from the private sector. And Lord Truscott, parliamentary under secretary...

LETTER: Renewables ignored.(Letter to the editor)
June 18, 2007... Last week's government Energy Review spoke of the risks of dependence on fossil fuels, and the need to increase the contribution made by renewable sources of energy. In his 1903 book, The Romance of Modern Invention, Archibald Williams...

LETTER: Ethics need sanctions.(Letter to the editor)
June 18, 2007... John Uff asks (Viewpoint, 4 June) if the Royal Academy's Statement of Ethical Principles for engineers will have any impact. The answer is a clear No. Why? Because there are no real sanctions to enforce such "rules" as there are in the...

LETTER: Expect a fuss.(Letter to the editor)
June 18, 2007... The network of wind turbines for London (Insight, 4 June) is a striking vision but I have severe reservations about the practical implications. First, I think the developer of the idea has greatly under-estimated the issue of aesthetics,...

LETTER: Far from elegant.(Letter to the editor)
June 18, 2007... Your correspondent P Latham is right to observe that the proposed network of London wind turbines is an elegant substitute for electricity pylons that criss-cross the countryside. The point is that in a city, where these sort of pylons are...

LETTER: Space for sale.(Letter to the editor)
June 18, 2007... Your article (Cover feature, 21 May) made interesting reading, but I think the author missed the chance to fully explore the implications of the process under way. The key phrase in the article was the involvement of private companies...

AUDIO TECHNOLOGY: Sound ideas.
June 18, 2007... Acoustic systems that turn traditional speaker design on its head are enabling everyone from retailers to the military to put sound exactly where it's needed. Jon Excell reports From stereos that place your favourite artists in your...

INSIGHT: Heat seeker.
June 18, 2007... Thermal imaging cameras usually found on fighter jets are at the heart of sportscasting's latest technical innovation. Jon Excell reports Whether it's the PlayerCam that follows individual footballers over the course of a match, or the...

MANAGING TECHNOLOGY: Green firms must follow the money.
June 18, 2007... Engineering and finance must work together for the UK to clean up from the boom in environmental technology, writes Stephen Mahon The GLOBAL market for environmental technology and industries will be worth more than #360bn by 2010. ...

MANAGING TECHNOLOGY: It pays to check the law.
June 18, 2007... Government moves to cut down on tax dodgers could affect company pay schemes, warns Julian Ball Engineering contractors across the UK have been reviewing their pay and accountancy arrangements to ensure they stay within the law since the...

INTERVIEW: Life less ordinary.(Interview)
June 18, 2007... Prof Richard Kitney, head of Imperial college's newly-launched Institute of Systems Biology, believes the application of engineering techniques can revolutionise medical science. Jon Excell reports It is tempting to take predictions of a...

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING: Greener choices.
June 18, 2007... Making cleaner energy use comparable in price to traditional generation aims to stimulate investment in new technologies and encourage a move to green tariffs. Julia Pierce reports With a rise in environmental awareness and changes in...

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING - CONDITIONING MONITORING: Smooth operator.
June 18, 2007... In a bid to re-write the tribology rule book, a UK company has developed a lubricant claimed to both monitor and improve equipment condition. Mark Venables reports Traditionally sensors - including vibration and acoustic - have been used...

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING - MARKING & TRACEABILITY: Full marks.
June 18, 2007... Products and components need to be traceable after sale and, as Colin Carter explains, proper marking can reduce the potential for theft and counterfeiting There are many reasons why marking of products and components is necessary. The...

CAREERS: Recipe for success.
June 18, 2007... The food and drink industry may not seem the first stop for engineers but parts of the sector are expanding and there are vacancies in many disciplines. Julia Pierce reports The food and drink sector is the country's largest single...