The Engineer articles from May 2007

The Engineer archives from May 2007

COMMENT: No half measures in nanotech funding.
May 7, 2007... Nanotechnology seems to have been around for so long it is easy to forget it is still a young area of research. In its short history, the emerging nanoscience and its potential applications have been exposed to the full glare of public...

THE BIG PICTURE: Let there be light.
May 7, 2007... Powerful new telescope array opens new window on the universe and may help find 'dark matter' Scientists will now be able to explore the Northern hemisphere's universe with a much greater level of precision, thanks to a powerful new...

THE BIG PICTURE: Hawkeye's watching brief.
May 7, 2007... The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft, which promises improved surveillance and communications, made its debut in New York last week. The aircraft is the first of two to be built by Northrop Grumman in a #1bn system demonstration and...

THE BIG PICTURE: Robot shapes up for rescue.
May 7, 2007... A researcher at Virginia Tech College of Engineering in the US is creating a search-and-rescue robot based on the motion of single-cell organisms. Dennis Hong, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, has a five- year, #200,000 grant...

IN BRIEF: Laser tool for eye treatment.(Brief article)
May 7, 2007... Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers have developed a laser for taking high-resolution, 3D images of the retina, the part of the eye that converts light to electrical signals that travel to the brain. The laser could, it is...

IN BRIEF: From bottles to food packs.(Brief article)
May 7, 2007... The UK's first recycling plant to turn plastic bottles into food packaging is to be built by Manchester's Haden Freeman Group (HFG). The project will be run by Birwelco, an HFG company that specialises in recycling technology. The plant, in...

IN BRIEF: Wind power sewage plant.(Brief article)
May 7, 2007... An electricity-generating wind turbine is to built as part of Thames Water's #400m investment programme to improve London's sewage works. The turbine would help to generate up to half of the total energy needs for Crossness Sewage Treatment...

NEWS: Brain power.
May 7, 2007... Electronic implants promise to restore motor function to people with nervous system injury A new generation of electronic brain implants could help restore natural motion to people who have suffered nervous system damage by studying and...

NEWS: Film focus.
May 7, 2007... Solar concentrator efficiency could be improved by replacing lenses with reel-to-reel optical film Solar concentrators can improve the effectiveness of solar generators by focusing energy into a small area, which improves the efficiency...

NEWS: Patter of tiny beat.
May 7, 2007... Mobile phone-sized heart monitor helps keep a 24-hour watch on health of unborn children Technology that could save the lives of unborn children has been developed at Nottingham University. The small device, no larger than a mobile phone...

NEWS: Aroma therapy.
May 7, 2007... Artificial mucus claimed to make sensing capabilities of electronic nose 'more human' TWO UK universities have joined forces to develop 'artificial mucus' made of a polymer mix to enhance the sensing capabilities of electronic noses. ...

NEWS: Designer colours.
May 7, 2007... Nanoparticle manipulation aims to create self-adapting, environmentally- friendly hues Military clothing that changes colour to warn of chemical attack, or food packaging that shifts in tone to indicate just how long it has been on the...

NEWS: Street-wise streetlights.
May 7, 2007... Energy and cost savings could be made by using LEDs in road lamps Solid-state lighting, using LEDs rather than incandescent gases or hot filaments, is seen as the next generation of lighting technologies. It produces a brighter light...

VIEWPOINT: A measure of success.
May 7, 2007... The UK leads the world in the field of nanometrology, which is the key to all nano research. So now is not the time to withdraw public funding, says Kamal Hossain A recent report said that the UK risks falling behind in nanotechnology....

LETTER: Put faith in engineers.(Letter to the editor)
May 7, 2007... What a dismal and uninspiring view of the future Martin Rodger has (Letters, 23 April). Almost (but not quite) within living memory it was predicted that the streets of London would be knee-deep in horse dung if something was not done...

LETTER: Scrap the speed limit.(Letter to the editor)
May 7, 2007... In reply to John Halley (Talking Point, 9 April) his comments are not only wrong but they surely go against good engineering practice. Car makers are making smaller engines for a given power output. The Smart car being an example. ...

LETTER: Is this a battery?(Letter to the editor)
May 7, 2007... I read 'On demand' (Design Engineering, 9 April) but would like to know if I am missing something. Here is a device full of water with two electrodes made of different alloys with different work functions; consequently a potential...

LETTER: Rewiring the subject.(Letter to the editor)
May 7, 2007... Further to the articles on renewable power generation, (Feature, 8 April and Interview, 22 April) Prof Salter et al should be applauded for their astonishing inventions. However, domestic (white goods) product design could have worldwide impact...

SIMULATING THE PAST: Secrets of a lost world.
May 7, 2007... Engineering technologies more at home on the factory floor are helping to solve some of history's most enduring mysteries. Jon Excell reports Of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Great Pyramid of Giza is the only one still...

SIMULATING THE PAST: How technology solved more historical riddles.
May 7, 2007... Archaeologists used space-based imaging technology to locate the lost city of Ubar in 1992. The fabled Arabian trading post - described by Lawrence of Arabia as the Atlantis of the sands - was, according to legend, swallowed up by the desert...

INSIGHT: Mine busters.
May 7, 2007... BAE's Talisman unmanned underwater vehicle aims to automate the work of clearing waters of dangerous mines to protect divers from harm. Niall Firth reports During the first Gulf War, Iraq laced the Kuwait shoreline with tens of...

MANAGING TECHNOLOGY: Not a minute to lose.
May 7, 2007... The success or failure of an innovative product launch depends on all team members, including top management, being fully committed from the start, says Lucy Rowbotham Phrases such as 'We will double our turnover by 2013' and 'Global...

MANAGING TECHNOLOGY: Save and prosper.
May 7, 2007... Selling a business out of administration must be creative and the price negotiation fair and transparent to give struggling companies a chance, says Kim Stubbs With global competition increasing, UK manufacturers are under real pressure....

INTERVIEW: Mobile magician.(Interview)
May 7, 2007... Nokia's research chief Bob Iannucci has the secret for the next generation of mobile phones and promises Wibree will change the way we use them. Niall Firth reports It is almost physically impossible to have the most advanced mobile...

DESIGN ENGINEERING: Magnetic force.
May 7, 2007... Conflict between ride and driving dynamics could be over with European roll-out of world's only semi-active suspension system with no moving parts. Siobhan Wagner reports Traditional vehicle suspensions are optimised for comfort or...

DESIGN ENGINEERING - MATERIALS: Plaster work.
May 7, 2007... EU-funded project adapts micropolymer technology for self-sealing wall board as part of safety measures range for buildings in earthquake zones. Siobhan Wagner reports A HI-TECH villa designed to resist earthquakes by self-healing cracks...

DESIGN ENGINEERING - COMPOSITES: Light fibre diet.
May 7, 2007... As industry seeks greener materials, a biodegradable composite made from plant fibre and a soy protein resin promises lighter, stronger products. Siobhan Wagner reports A biodegradable composite developed in the US is promising to save...

DESIGN ENGINEERING - SOFTWARE: Designs on teamwork.
May 7, 2007... A US-developed 3D CAD package could help non-designers in the extended product development team to make more of a contribution to the overall modelling process. Charles Clarke reports A US start-up aims to put 3D capabilities in the hands...

DESIGN ENGINEERING - POWER TRANSMISSION: Split personality.
May 7, 2007... With all the features of their solid counterparts, split roller bearing are used around the world, from a South African theme park water ride to a steel production plant in Italy. Mark Venables explains In Split roller bearings - where...

Two for the price of one.
May 7, 2007... Following the success of last year's Materials Handling Live! Exhibition, next month's event is bigger than ever and offers a host of solutions. Julia Pierce reports From forklift trucks and freight lifts to boxes, balers and waste...

COMMENT: Rail energy audit is a bright idea.
May 21, 2007... A prominent scientist this week warned against too much doom-mongering when it comes to the issues of global warming, climate change and other environmental impacts. Prof Mike Hulme of the UK's Tyndall Centre made the point that if the...

THE BIG PICTURE: Hitting a sweeter spot.
May 21, 2007... Custom-made force platform aims to help golfers improve their swing A Norwegian-designed system could help the world's estimated 61 million golfers improve their swing. Golfers wanting to improve their skills often use video filming to...

THE BIG PICTURE: Phoenix rustles wings for Mars.
May 21, 2007... A US Air Force C-17 cargo aircraft has carried NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander spacecraft from Colorado to Florida, where it will be launched in August. Next spring, Phoenix will land on a Martian arctic plain and use a robotic digging arm and...

THE BIG PICTURE: Philips displays colour e-paper.
May 21, 2007... Philips claims to have developed the world's first A4-sized colour e- paper. Like the black and white flexible display, the colour version uses a substrate that arranges thin-film transistors (TFTs) on metal foil rather than glass, allowing...

IN BRIEF: Thermo-acoustic breakthrough.(Brief article)
May 21, 2007... A wood-powered generator designed to cook and cool food is being developed by four UK universities as part of the #2m Stove for Cooking, Refrigeration and Electricity (SCORE) project. By developing an affordable, versatile domestic appliance,...

IN BRIEF: Fighting fatigue.(Brief article)
May 21, 2007... Techniques to remedy fatigue fracture of components in aircraft engines are being studied by Portsmouth University with the help of a #475,000 EPSRC award. Part of the funding will go towards computer modelling systems to predict the growth...

IN BRIEF: 'Superglue' for industry.(Brief article)
May 21, 2007... A 'nanoglue' that can bond materials that would not usually stick to one another could have an impact on everything from next-generation computer chip manufacturing to energy production, say its developers. The researchers at the Rensselaer...

NEWS: Bespoke therapy.
May 21, 2007... Personal tragedy leads to technology that could pinpoint treatments for individual cancers A probe that can show whether specific chemotherapy will be effective on an individual's cancer treatment could save the lives of patients and...

NEWS: Foot down for Europe.
May 21, 2007... UK technology could prepare leading car makers for EU emissions reductions while cutting fuel costs Cars built by European firms such as Peugeot and Porsche could soon be fitted with a UK-developed engine technology that is claimed to...

NEWS: Filter tips.
May 21, 2007... Researchers aim to help develop cleaner fuels by studying the nano- emissions of diesel and bio-fuels Shell is working with UK researchers to study the potentially hazardous nano-particles that are spewed out in diesel and bio-fuel engine...

NEWS: Finger on the pulse.
May 21, 2007... Universities team up to develop new breed of ultra-fast lasers with greater flexibility and control Three UK universities are collaborating on a four-year project to develop next-generation lasers which are more flexible, easier to use,...

NEWS: Space savers.
May 21, 2007... Electric propulsion thrusters to clean up space and help develop cheaper, more efficient satellites A project to design micro electric propulsion thrusters for small satellites could help control overcrowding in low-Earth orbit and allow...

NEWS: Blood in their hands.
May 21, 2007... A vital aid in emergencies could be blood made from polymers that mimic haemoglobin Wounded soldiers on the battlefield and victims of natural disasters may be saved in future by 'plastic blood', recently developed by researchers at...

VIEWPOINT: Cut the brain drain.
May 21, 2007... The rail industry can help in the fight to protect the environment and save itself money at the same time, argues Alan Constable Saving the environment is a hot topic and different industries are always looking at how they can contribute....

LETTER: LED is the answer.(Letter to the editor)
May 21, 2007... In answer to the observations by David Cutter (Letters, 7 May), and the article 'Street-wise street light' (News, same issue) there is one element missing. That is the government's intention to encourage consumers to move to...

LETTER: Drivers can't take it.(Letter to the editor)
May 21, 2007... I agree with the point made by Chris Leonard in 'Scrap the speed limit' (Letters, 7 May). Most of today's vehicles are safely capable of being driven well in excess of current speed limits, even toward the end of their useful lives. But...

NASA: Space for hire.
May 21, 2007... NASA, struggling for funds, is changing tack by forming innovative partnerships with big hitters outside the space community, adding dynamism to its stodgy image. Niall Firth reports Harangued by the US media as being a wasteful and bloated...

NASA: NASA SETS UP COMMERCIAL ORBITAL SYSTEMS.
May 21, 2007... A key illustration of NASA's new willingness to embrace the commercial side of space is Commercial Orbital Transportation Systems (COTS). Aware of the innovation and drive behind many so-called 'alt-space' (alternative space) firms, NASA...

INSIGHT: Silent revolution.
May 21, 2007... A radical design for wind turbines aimed at harnessing the winds that gust in city streets could be a common sight in London in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics. Stuart Nathan reports Cities CAN BE windy places, especially in the UK, but...

MANAGING - TECHNOLOGY: Know your market.
May 21, 2007... The role of emerging markets in the global economy continues to change at a ferocious pace. Yet despite the size and remarkable growth of these markets, a surprising number of companies fall short of their goals. So what is preventing them...

MANAGING - TECHNOLOGY: Fight your corner.
May 21, 2007... Holding a patent is not everything - you may need to go to court to protect it, says David Copp Ownership of a patent does not mean your rights are never infringed by others and there may come a time when you have to decide how to deal...

INTERVIEW: Watching brief.(Interview)
May 21, 2007... Huw Williams, head of BBC research and innovation, faces the challenge of keeping a watchful eye over almost everything that will define the future of our viewing experience. Jon Excell reports Many readers will remember when the National...

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING: Pollution solution.
May 21, 2007... As pressure mounts to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, a development by Bath University could radically improve the clean-up process. Siobhan Wagner reports A technology that could drastically reduce the amount of pollution...

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING - NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING: Uncommon sense.
May 21, 2007... A sensor that provides a more accurate and efficient way of testing carbon composite aircraft parts has been developed by Sussex researchers. Siobhan Wagner reports A sensor that will allow doctors to measure the electrical activity of...

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING - MATERIALS PROCESSING: Show your mettle.
May 21, 2007... Steel coil cleaning system using high-pressure water instead of acid solution claimed to remain rust free without the need for coating or oil covering. Siobhan Wagner reports An environmentally-friendly technology that uses water instead...

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING - SOFTWARE: Softly softly.(Company overview)
May 21, 2007... ERP developments that mean the UK's distribution and manufacturing sectors can look forward to more flexibility in the delivery of end-to- end, industry-specific solutions. Charles Clarke explains The ERP market has seen yet more changes...

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING - MACHINE TOOLING: Faster footwork.
May 21, 2007... Manufacturers are reacting quickly to customer demands for high-speed, precision instruments that will help keep them competitive. Julia Pierce reports The machine-tool market is changing rapidly. To raise output, provide greater...