Engineering news
Graphene-enhanced plastic alternative can biodegrade
Energy Live News
UK firm Toraphene has revealed a biodegradable graphene-enhanced bioplastic. The company says the material is commercially viable, and hopes it could reduce plastic waste in landfills and the ocean by replacing conventional packaging.
Insects inspire autonomous tech for drones and space vehicles
Professional Engineering
Drones and space vehicles could navigate autonomously thanks to lightweight new ‘brains’ inspired by insect decision making. University of Sheffield spin-out Opteran is developing its low-cost silicon-based approach to autonomy, known as ‘natural intelligence’, after raising £2.1m in seed funding. It could be used on cars, mining robots and other vehicles.
VR-controlled robotic arm could be used in healthcare and industry
The Engineer
Extend Robotics has unveiled a new low-cost robotic arm controlled by users in virtual reality (VR). The Reading start-up said the arm offers human-like dexterity and six degrees of freedom. It could be used in healthcare, or other sectors such as utilities and energy.
New centre will bring autonomous cars closer
Automotive World
Automotive engineering specialist Horiba Mira has revealed details of its autonomous vehicle development centre in the Midlands. The centre, which could accelerate the introduction of driverless cars on UK roads, is set to open in March 2021 and includes a high-speed testing facility, replicated urban environments and a purpose built multi-storey car park to develop automated parking.
Earthquake simulations check nuclear reactors can safely shut down
Professional Engineering
A destructive earthquake might be a rare event in the UK, but all eventualities need to be considered when working with nuclear reactors. We spoke to David Pitt, project engineer at Atkins Nuclear & Power Group, about the important Seismic Damage Tolerance Assessment project.
Collaboration targets quieter and more efficient supersonic flight
Aerospace Manufacturing
Collins Aerospace Systems will work with Boom Supersonic on the company’s supersonic Overture airliner. The collaboration will develop inlet, nacelle and exhaust system technologies, which could reduce fuel burn and make supersonic flight quieter.
New storage method could save space on hydrogen buses
Professional Engineering
Hydrogen storage on buses could become cheaper and more efficient thanks to a new research project. Led by a team at London South Bank University (LSBU), the study aims to replace high-pressure cylinders with hydride. The material could absorb, store and release hydrogen in a more space-efficient way, potentially saving up to 75% of the space currently taken up by cylinders.
New process could make safe nuclear fuel
E&T
A new process for lanthanide metals could be used to create safe and sustainable nuclear fuel, according to researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. The technique, known as combustion synthesis, can be used to yield lanthanide nitride foams.
Ageing workforce and skills shortage ‘threaten future rail projects’
Professional Engineering
Roughly 15,000 rail industry employees could be due to retire by 2025, threatening the future of major new projects. The industry needs between 7,000 and 12,000 extra people each year for the next five to 10 years to cope with the retirements and a skills shortfall, according to a new report from City & Guilds and the National Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR).
Curved 3D graphene offers amplified electrical properties
Professional Engineering
A team of researchers has amplified 3D graphene's electrical properties by controlling its curvature. The team, from Tohoku University in Japan, took a single 2D graphene sheet and folded it into a 3D structure with a bicontinuous and open porous structure. The structure, with a curvature radius down to 25-50nm, reportedly retained the basic electronic properties of 2D graphene well.
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Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.