Engineering news
SpaceX installs Starship engines
Space.com
SpaceX has installed 29 of its Raptor engines onto its prototype Starship spacecraft. The engines, which were swiftly installed over the course of two days this week, will be used for the first orbital test flight of the deep-space transportation system.
Nova Innovation aims for ‘mainstream’ tidal energy
Professional Engineering
Tidal energy firm Nova Innovation aims to advance tidal turbine manufacturing to a ‘global level’ after receiving a £2m cash injection from the Scottish government. The funding for the Edinburgh company is directed at the Volt project, which aims to develop the first European assembly line for mass manufacturing of tidal turbines. It will also trial ‘innovative techniques and tools’ in the shipping, deployment and monitoring of turbines.
Bell unveils three fold-away rotor military aircraft
Aerospace Manufacturing
Aerospace giant and vertical take-off specialist Bell has revealed three concepts for military aircraft with fold-away rotors. The designs are aimed at combining helicopter-style hovering capabilities and fighter jet speeds.
Drone flies using wireless power
The Engineer
A team of researchers led by the University of Tsukuba in Japan has flown a drone using wireless power transmission. The team used a microwave beam to power the 0.4kg craft, which hovered for 30 seconds.
Rolls-Royce returns to profit
E&T
Rolls-Royce returned to profit in the first half of the year following major losses related to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a company announcement. Cost-cutting measures include the axing of over 9,000 jobs, and plans to sell some parts of the business for at least £2bn.
Floating wind turbines could produce ‘green’ hydrogen off Scotland
Professional Engineering
A Scottish floating offshore wind project could also provide ‘green’ hydrogen generated using renewable energy from the turbines. The 200MW Salamander project from Simply Blue Energy and Subsea 7 could use ERM Dolphyn technology, which combines electrolysis, desalination and hydrogen production on a floating wind platform.
Labour highlights loss of green jobs
E&T
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has highlighted ONS figures showing the loss of 75,000 green jobs in the UK between 2014 and 2019. The leader of the opposition called for a ‘Green New Deal’ to help slash carbon emissions and create new jobs.
Hermeus wins USAF flight test contract for Mach 5 aircraft
Aerospace Manufacturing
American company Hermeus aims to validate its Mach 5 hypersonic engine after winning a $60m US Air Force contract for flight tests of its semi-autonomous Quarterhorse aircraft. The firm, which is one of several companies developing supersonic Air Force One projects, reportedly hopes that the Quarterhorse could be the fastest reusable aircraft in the world.
Membrane modification boosts off-grid desalination
The Engineer
Researchers at KAUST in Saudi Arabia have improved the performance of an off-grid desalination technique by changing the parameters of a hydrophobic membrane. Using a thinner membrane resulted in better desalination performance and reduced the temperature of solar cells that provide waste heat for the process.
Vegetable oil-powered train will export hybrid cars
E&T
Sustainable fuel derived from vegetable oil will power a freight train exporting hybrid Toyotas to mainland Europe. The project, from the Department of Transport and freight operator DB Cargo, will cut carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to diesel.
Want the best engineering stories delivered straight to your inbox? The Professional Engineering newsletter gives you vital updates on the most cutting-edge engineering and exciting new job opportunities. To sign up, click here.
Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.