The Engineer articles from November 2008

The Engineer archives from November 2008

COMMENT: Yes we can find our own solutions.
November 10, 2008... WHEN Barack Obama stood before his adoring supporters in Chicago as president-elect of the US, few people would have missed the sense of history unfolding. As the saying goes, however, history is yesterday's news, and before long the rest...

NEWS: Sett for change.
November 10, 2008... Badger exploration tool promises cash savings, plus safer marine environment Trials in Denmark of a prototype drilling tool could give hydrocarbon exploration companies a 'game changing' technology, its developers claim. The Badger...

NEWS: Liquid asset.
November 10, 2008... Developers claim electronics-free orthopaedic implant sensor could in future biodegrade in the body Swiss researchers have developed a sensor with no electronic components that can monitor the progress of orthopaedic implants in a...

NEWS: Brake with tradition.
November 10, 2008... UK company hopes to replace hydraulic with all-electric braking system on Bombardier jets A UK engineering team is hailing a civil aviation world first after equipping the next generation of Bombardier commercial jets with an all-...

NEWS: Double delivery.
November 10, 2008... Project aims to perfect system allowing light commercial vehicles to be converted to run in two modes A consortium is developing a system designed to allow conventional delivery vans to be cheaply converted to run in a zero-emissions, all-...

NEWS: Early warning.
November 10, 2008... Microbubbles combined with ultrasound are helping researchers target the first signs of prostate cancer RESEARCH to detect early-stage prostate cancer is being carried out by a European project, combining targeted microbubbles and highly...

NEWS: Brainwave communication.
November 10, 2008... A SYSTEM that allows people with severe brain injuries to communicate using only eye movements and the power of thought is being developed by a researcher at Portsmouth University. Dr Paul Gnanayutham, senior lecturer in the School of...

NEWS: Gas alert.
November 10, 2008... A sensor that is smaller and cheaper than alternatives may help track down greenhouse gases A SENSOR that uses pressure waves to detect the concentration of gas could provide government agencies and industry with a solution for tracking...

NEWS: Protected in battle.
November 10, 2008... STRONGER, more agile vehicles that can carry military personnel into battlefields unscathed are the aim of a new US defence project. The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) programme involves an array of partners in the defence industry...

VIEWPOINT: Doctor know.
November 10, 2008... System-on-chip technology is enabling the development of body-worn wireless devices to monitor patients' health, says Keith Errey TECHNOLOGY convergence has transformed the way people live, work, communicate and interact. Now it is set to...

LETTER: Jeremy's out of gear.(Letter to the editor)
November 10, 2008... My colleagues and I are becoming increasingly irritated at the positioning of Jeremy Clarkson as a champion of engineering. If you read his Wikipedia biography you'll see what we mean. Modern engineering is increasingly inspired by energy...

LETTER: Out of date?(Letter to the editor)
November 10, 2008... Regarding your article on the opening of the M1 (Back Page, 27 October) I don't suppose I'll be the only one to point out that the M1 was not the UK's first motorway. That honour belongs to the M6 Preston by-pass. Roger Flavell ...

LETTER: STEM sell.(Letter to the editor)
November 10, 2008... Your article 'Light in the gloom?' pointed out the effect the government's STEM courses investment programme has had on attracting students (Online leader). It is ironic that on the one hand the government is spending so much trying to...

LETTER: Fifteen years late.(Letter to the editor)
November 10, 2008... In answer to your article 'Crunch time' (Online leader) there is no harm in providing a useful banking and broking service to help put people who have money to invest in touch with people who need investment. But when the nation, or its...

LETTER: A hedge too far.(Letter to the editor)
November 10, 2008... Our online leader article 'Fear, loathing and schadenfreude in the City' discussed how several hedge funds gambled on Volkswagen's share price falling during the current economic downturn, and then lost millions when Porsche announced that...

SUBMERSIBLE TECHNOLOGY: Subsea saviours.
November 10, 2008... Marine engineers claim robot submarines could make the difference between life. Marine engineers claim robot submarines could make the difference between life and death in search-and-rescue missions. Jon Excell reports Your boat has...

INSIGHT: Helping handles.
November 10, 2008... A Finnish team is hard at work devising a robot maintenance system for what is hoped will be the world's largest nuclear fusion reactor. Stuart Nathan reports THE AMBITIOUS international project to build and operate the world's largest...

RETURN OF THE ROUTEMASTER: En route to a new icon.
November 10, 2008... Following a pledge to rid the capital of the bendy bus, London mayor Boris Johnson launched a competition to design a next-generation Routemaster. Stuart Nathan reports There can't be many automotive icons more evocative than the London...

INTERVIEW: Plenty in the tank.(Interview)
November 10, 2008... Ricardo's Prof Neville Jackson believes there is lots more mileage left in the internal combustion engine as technology makes it ever more efficient. Jon Excell reports A chat with Prof Neville Jackson is a refreshing reminder that there...

DESIGN ENGINEERING - UNDERWATER RESEARCH: Deep discovery.
November 10, 2008... Aberdeen researchers have developed a camera that will be able to explore the oceans at an unprecendented depth. Siobhan Wagner reports LIFE IN some of the deepest ocean trenches in the world is being revealed by a UK-built video system...

DESIGN ENGINEERING - CLEAN FULE TECHNOLOGY: Emission control.
November 10, 2008... Academia/industry collaboration could lead to a car exhaust trap able to reduce pollutants and provide an onboard fuel source. Siobhan Wagner reports An exhaust gas trap that breaks down pollutants from diesel engines into hydrogen and...

DESIGN ENGINEERING - MANAGING TECHNOLOGY: Prototype power.
November 10, 2008... Successful marine energy prototype testing is essential if the UK is to maintain its position as the industry's global leader, says technology consultant Frazer-Nash The oceans' waves and tides are becoming an increasingly popular green...

DESIGN ENGINEERING - DRIVES & GEARS: Integration is key.
November 10, 2008... With energy consumption and carbon output a main issue on the corporate agenda, streamlining electrical drives and their associated technologies is all-important. Julia Pierce reports Minimising the environmental impact of manufacturing is...

DESIGN ENGINEERING - CAD/CAM: Productivity bonus.
November 10, 2008... New software releases aim to improve efficiency with reduction of memory consumption, increased performance and better model manipulation. Charles Clarke reports Efficiency and productivity seems to be the name of the game for the latest...

TECHNOLOGY UK: Southern comfort.
November 10, 2008... It may be crowded, but London and the south-east boasts a wide range of hi-tech activity, from healthcare to satellite systems. Berenice Baker reports London and the south-east is perhaps better known as the government, transport and...

CAREERS: Travel companions.
November 10, 2008... Closer collaboration between business and academia is essential to help raise UK skills base, says joint report. Andrew Lee reports Universities and businesses have been urged to work more closely to raise the UK's skills base in key areas...

CAREERS IN BRIEF: BAA gives Crossrail #230m boost.
November 10, 2008... London's Crossrail set to be one of the UK's biggest engineering projects has received a #230m funding package from airports operator BAA. The #16bn project will link Heathrow to the east of London via 22km of tunnels. The project is...

CAREERS IN BRIEF: Global push for NETpark.
November 10, 2008... County Durham Development Company, Durham University and the Centre for Process Innovation are to work together in a bid to boost the international profile of what is claimed to be the north-east's leading science and technology park. The...

CAREERS IN BRIEF: Skills provision made easier.
November 10, 2008... Plans to simplify skills and training provision to employers have been released by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES). The proposals include a web portal that offers a single entry point to the plethora of skills websites...

CAREERS IN BRIEF: Formula for engineering success.
November 10, 2008... Youngsters who excel in maths are most likely to have glittering careers as engineers, according to a 25-year study by the US Association for Psychological Science. The research involved 1,500 students who achieved the top one per cent in their...

CAREERS: Pipe work.(Company overview)
November 10, 2008... The hunt is on for top engineers and scientists to help the oil and gas industry continue to innovate and remain competitive. Julia Pierce reports With producers such as BP, Shell and Exxon Mobil all posting record profits in recent...

COMMENT: Credit where it's due.
November 24, 2008... If you believe some commentators, the UK automotive sector's plea for government support to help it through the economic downturn is little different to the banks holding out their begging bowls for billions in taxpayers' cash. One...

NEWS: New wave movement.
November 24, 2008... UK specialist to trial marine energy converter with just one moving part Trials are set to begin on an electromagnetic marine energy device that uses only one moving part to convert wave movement into electricity. UK renewable energy...

NEWS: Bug hunter.
November 24, 2008... Fast-diagnosis device for automatic detection of MRSA Global technology specialist Smiths Detection is developing clinical point-of-care diagnostic technology in a bid to rapidly detect infections such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile and...

NEWS: Target treatment.
November 24, 2008... Calibration research may improve cancer survival rates by making radiation doses more accurate New equipment installed at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) could improve UK cancer survival rates by more accurately calibrating the...

NEWS: Millennium memory.
November 24, 2008... Carbon nanotubes may replace silicon transistors as electronic devices get ever smaller UK researchers are taking part in a study to investigate the use of carbon nanotubes to create compact memory cells for ubiquitous electronic devices....

NEWS: Altered images.
November 24, 2008... UK team claims atom property changing technique will lead to clearer clinical scans RESEARCHERS at York University have developed a technique for changing the spin properties of atoms to make MRI and NMR scanners much more sensitive....

NEWS: Waiting in the wings.
November 24, 2008... EU-funded project aims to replace heavy hydraulics with lightweight electromechanical control system Future aircraft could be lighter, more energy-efficient and cheaper to maintain as a result of electromechanically controlled wing...

NEWS: Packed for safety.
November 24, 2008... Researchers at University College London are to carry out integrated circuit design and packaging for a project to develop an inner ear implant for people with conditions that affect their balance. Seven European and US institutions will...

VIEWPOINT: Generation gap.
November 24, 2008... Unless we act now and make security of energy supply a priority, the UK will soon face a power shortfall, warns Ian Fells Security of energy supply must now take priority over everything, even climate change. UK imports of gas and oil are...

LETTER: Trouble in the tank.(Letter to the editor)
November 24, 2008... In reply to your article 'Plenty in the tank' (Interview, 10 November) regarding the continuing use of the internal combustion engine to power road vehicles, alongside the pursuit of electric cars, the UK is heading towards a multiple energy...

LETTER: JC or not JC?(Letter to the editor)
November 24, 2008... In our 10 November issue we published a letter from David Elisha, who thinks Jeremy Clarkson does not deserve the title champion of engineering and should be replaced. We asked you if Clarkson was the right choice, and if not, invited...

LETTER: Wrong formula.(Letter to the editor)
November 24, 2008... Our online leader article 'Race relations' pointed out that despite Lewis Hamilton becoming Formula One world champion, the sport could face a political crisis due to the planned introduction of a standard engine. Here is a selection of your...

G4 NUCLEAR: Reaction to change.
November 24, 2008... With nuclear power of the future expected to embrace a far wider range of applications than today, researchers are investigating the technology necessary to run new-style reactors. Stuart Nathan reports While the nuclear industry is...

LASER FUSION: Force hopes.
November 24, 2008... UK-led research is using lasers to mimic the sun's energy-forming reactions in an effort to make fusion a practical and credible source of electricity. Stuart Nathan reports It sounds like something out of a James Bond film. A tiny pellet...

INSIGHT: Double take.
November 24, 2008... A dual-purpose boiler is claimed to heat homes more efficiently than other combined heat and power systems and generate electricity at the same time. Berenice Baker reports A UK-designed energy appliance that could heat homes while...

INTERVIEW: On the front line.(Interview)
November 24, 2008... The National Grid's Chris Bennett is in charge of ensuring the UK maintains its energy supply and meets its targets by maximising the use of renewables. Jon Excell reports The UK energy industry faces a tumultuous future. Over the next...

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING: Active service.
November 24, 2008... UK company claims its latest laser will cut the cost of next-generation flat screen manufacture in an environmentally-friendly way. Siobhan Wagner reports A UK company claims it has developed a more cost-effective technique for...

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING - PRECISION MONITORING: Nodes for wine.
November 24, 2008... Wireless monitoring system using sensors to check soil moisture and humidity posts data on the web to help improve grape production. Siobhan Wagner reports WINE LOVERS could notice a vast improvement in next year's Chianti, thanks to a...

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING - COMPUTER MODELLING: Another weigh.
November 24, 2008... Highly-advanced computer modelling program can help produce lighter armour plate, but not at the expense of strength, claims developer. Siobhan Wagner reports What are claimed to be the lightest composite armour plates on the market have...

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING - MANAGING TECHNOLOGY: Get a grip on grease.
November 24, 2008... Selecting the correct bearing lubricant is essential to prolong its life and ensure smooth running and operational safety, says Ian Pledger More than 80 per cent of all rolling bearings are lubricated with grease, so it is critical for...

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING - CONDITION MONITORING: Reality checks.
November 24, 2008... Predicting problems in existing plant and equipment is vital if industry is to survive the global downturn. Colin Carter explains some of the different and varied technology on offer With the current economic climate making the availability...

PRODUCTION ENGINEERING - MARKING & TRACEABILITY: Up to the mark.
November 24, 2008... Sectors such as automotive are using a greater number of complex parts, all of which need fast, accurate identification. Julia Pierce looks at the latest technology on offer As products become increasingly complex and require a greater...

CAREERS: Research and rescue.
November 24, 2008... Top-level engineers and scientists who lose their jobs in the economic downturn could be offered work in academic research by a new government- backed scheme. Research Councils UK (RCUK) has launched its Skills Gap Awards to recruit...

CAREERS IN BRIEF: Nuclear back-up.
November 24, 2008... A strategy to deliver a highly skilled, sustainable workforce to support the country's future nuclear energy projects has been launched by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority at Manchester's Museum of Science and Industry. It aims to...

CAREERS IN BRIEF: Bulk studies.
November 24, 2008... The latest post-graduate courses in bulk solids handling technology have been announced by Greenwich University. The annual short courses are designed to help engineers, managers and skilled operatives handle powders and bulk solid materials....

CAREERS IN BRIEF: Big Bang.
November 24, 2008... The Big Bang, an event aimed at inspiring the next generation of UK engineers, is designed to be the focal point for the science and engineering sector next year. Visitors will be able to participate in technology demonstrations, projects,...

CAREERS: The sky's the limit.
November 24, 2008... Even in tough times the UK aerospace sector is till seeking skilled engineers to work on a wide variety of projects. Julia Pierce reports Even as some sections of the economy show signs of deep financial trouble, the UK aerospace sector is...