Engineering news
Hospitals ‘need more engineers to handle new tech and patient numbers’
IMechE
The NHS needs more engineers to help handle a “huge influx” of new technology and a rise in patient numbers, the IMechE has said. In a report, Healthcare Solutions: elevating the engineering workforce, the institution called for healthcare engineers to have more authority and decision-making powers. It also recommended that each hospital has a ‘chief healthcare engineer’ with strategic oversight, on the same level as the head of surgery, chief nurse and chief pharmacist. Click here to read the report.
Work begins on Gravitricity energy storage demonstrator
The Engineer
Building work has begun on a £1m technology demonstrator for a new type of energy storage. Gravitricity aims to use suspended weights in deep shafts, such as disused mines, to store and then release renewable energy. Huisman has started building winches and the control system for the above-ground demonstrator, while Kelvin Power in Leicester is building the lattice tower.
’Flying-V’ model takes off
Aerospace Manufacturing
A scale model of the ‘Flying V’ aircraft from TU Delft university in the Netherlands, KLM and Airbus has taken off for the first time. With a distinctive ‘V’ shape, a full-scale version of the aircraft could one day help reduce flight fuel consumption by 20%.
Anode material could make fast-charging batteries safer
Professional Engineering
American researchers have developed a new anode material that enables lithium-ion batteries to be safely recharged within minutes. The anode is made up of a substance known as disordered rock salt, made up of lithium, vanadium and oxygen atoms arranged in a similar way to table salt. It could allow safer fast-charging, without sacrificing significant energy density.
Gordon Murray unveils race-ready T.50
New Atlas
Following on from the recent unveiling of its ultimate T.50 supercar, Gordon Murray has introduced a new race version. The T.50s removes road gear and includes hundreds of redesigned parts to shave off 94kg and boost horsepower.
Lightweight materials offer ideal cost-saving opportunity for aerospace
Professional Engineering
Aerospace was hit harder by the coronavirus pandemic than almost all other sectors, but lightweight new materials offer the chance for improved efficiencies. Aluminium metal matrix composites or carbon fibre-reinforced nylon could reduce mass on aircraft of all shapes and sizes.
’Dustbuster’ helps astronauts stay spick and span
E&T
Lunar astronauts could keep their gear clean in future using a ‘dustbuster’ that fires electron beams to clean Moon dust from surfaces. The technique was developed by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Will Virgin Galactic’s Mach 3 jet offer sustainable flight?
Professional Engineering
Virgin Galactic is working with Rolls-Royce to follow in Concorde's flight path with a new supersonic passenger aircraft. But will the Mach 3 aircraft manage cost effective, sustainable flight?
Partners announce another supersonic Air Force One project
Aerospace Manufacturing
The US Air Force has partnered with supersonic specialist Exosonic to develop an ‘executive transport’ for the presidential and executive fleet. Exosonic has developed ‘boom softening’ techniques to facilitate supersonic flight over land, which is prohibited in some areas. The move follows the Air Force’s recent partnership with Hermeus for another supersonic presidential jet.
New window technology blocks air but lets sound through
Professional Engineering
Engineers are developing optically transparent glass that could block air particles but allow sound to pass through more easily. Researchers at Chongqing University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Shenzhen Fantwave Tech created a layered glass material that allows for efficient sound transmission with no air ventilation. It could be useful for Covid-secure partitions.
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Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.