Engineering news
Cubesat becomes 'hero' of Insight Mars landing
Popular Mechanics
While the world watched with bated breath as NASA's latest Mars lander touched down this week, two miniature satellites were just out of the picture, preparing for vital work to ensure Insight could freely share its discoveries. But it almost went wrong...
Asia dominates industrial robot installation
MIT Technology Review
New data from the International Federation of Robotics has highlighted Asia's huge lead in the installation of factory robots. South Korea leads the way, while the UK's adoption is much slower than expected.
Artificial wrist joint 'could dramatically improve quality of life' for amputees
Professional Engineering
For people missing a hand, one of the biggest challenges to regaining functionality when using a prosthetic hand is an inability to rotate the wrist. A team of researchers set out to tackle the issue and provide an alternative to conventional prostheses by combining bone implants with a wrist-like artificial joint.
Silicon the fly in the graphene ointment
The Engineer
Disappointing results for projects using graphene are the result of silicon contamination during production, a new study has revealed. The work could help lead to purer, better graphene.
Fleet of autonomous buses to carry 10,000 people over Forth Road Bridge every week
Professional Engineering
The five buses will operate at level-four autonomy, meaning drivers must remain on board. They are expected to go into service in 2020, carrying up to 42 passengers across the Forth Road Bridge between Fife and Edinburgh, running every 20 minutes.
'Game-changing' carbon capture roll-out planned – but are 2030s too late?
Professional Engineering
The government hopes to roll out “game-changing” carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) at scale in the 2030s, following a planned first project in the mid-2020s. But with urgent action needed to counter emissions, will it be too late?
Lawsuit a bore for Musk's tunnel plans...
The Guardian
Elon Musk's plan to tackle crippling traffic with tunnels hit a roadblock this week, as a planned route under Los Angeles was cancelled following a settlement over an environmental review lawsuit. The Boring Company hopes to revolutionise tunnelling with faster, more cost-effective machines.
but rocket capsule ready for take-off
Space.com
While Musk's subterranean endeavours are frustrated, his orbital plans are forging ahead. A new "astronaut taxi" from SpaceX will launch in early January.
New jobs at £7m train depot
Rail Business Daily
In more earthly matters, a new £7m train servicing depot will create about 15 jobs in Scarborough. The centre will service new Nova trains from next year.
Potato couch – 'materials revolution' could see fittings and furniture built out of spud offcuts
Professional Engineering
A soggy pile of potato offcuts might not seem a likely birthplace for a “materials revolution”, but it has already begun – the trimmings and skins from our favourite vegetable could form furniture and fittings to help create a more positive, ‘circular’ approach to material use.
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