Engineering news
Hydrogen used to create first fossil fuel-free steel
Professional Engineering
A Swedish project has claimed a major benchmark in the journey towards ‘fossil fuel-free living’ after using hydrogen to manufacture steel. SSAB Oxelösund manufactured the first fossil fuel-free steel in June, in a partnership with mining company LKAB and power company Vattenfall. The Hybrit project replaces conventional coal and coke with hydrogen to decarbonise a notoriously polluting industry.
Prototype turbines extract double the power from waves
E&T
A new dual-turbine wave energy converter has doubled the amount of power available for extraction from ocean waves, according to its developers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia. The prototype naturally stays in sync with the waves to maximise the amount of energy it can harvest.
ISS heat transfer experiment could lead to lighter spacecraft
Professional Engineering
A new experiment that arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) last week could lead to lighter and more efficient spacecraft, its developers have claimed. Designed by engineers from Purdue University in Indiana, the Flow Boiling and Condensation Experiment (FBCE) aims to improve understanding of heat transfer in microgravity.
Industry ‘missing out’ on growth opportunities
Professional Engineering
A lack of funding and digital skills, and resistance to change, are holding back digital transformation programmes at UK manufacturers, a new survey has found. Industry is at risk of missing out on growth opportunities in the current recovery, according to the research from Cranfield University and management consultancy Vendigital, with most Industry 4.0 projects ‘fragmented’ and only at initial stages.
UK sets out hydrogen plans
Professional Engineering
The business and energy secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has outlined the government’s plan to create thousands of jobs and billions of pounds of investment by focusing on hydrogen. The country’s first ever Hydrogen Strategy describes the measures that will be introduced to enable the UK to reach its goal of 5GW of low-carbon hydrogen capacity by 2030, including a scheme similar to renewable energy ‘contracts for difference’ and industry collaboration.
Ultra-fast charging and hydrogen lorries benefit from £91m government funding
Professional Engineering
Projects focused on ultra-fast charging of electric vehicles and hydrogen engines for lorries will benefit from a share of £91m new government funding. An electric battery to rival the range of internal combustion engines and a ‘radical redesign’ of light and medium-sized commercial electric vehicles are the focus of two other projects to receive funding, through the Advanced Propulsion Centre’s (APC) Collaborative Research and Development competition.
Vans have biggest impact on carbon emissions from deliveries
E&T
Delivery drones and robots like those trialled by Amazon have roughly similar carbon emissions to people for ‘last mile’ deliveries, according to new research from the University of Michigan. Most greenhouse gas emissions come from delivery vehicles, the research found, so the biggest impact can be made by switching to electric vehicles running on renewable energy.
Search and rescue robots quickly cover treacherous terrain using new approach
Professional Engineering
A new approach to path planning can help search and rescue robots cover treacherous terrain much quicker, according to researchers. The new planning algorithm for robots with arm-like appendages was developed at the University of Michigan. It found successful paths three-times as often as standard algorithms, the developers said, with much less processing time.
Sea cucumber inspires faster and stronger soft actuators
Professional Engineering
A new type of soft actuator is stronger and faster than conventional examples, its developers have said, thanks to inspiration from shape-shifting sea cucumbers. The actuator, which could be used in manufacturing or medical applications, was developed by researchers at Postech in South Korea.
Five firms aim to cut carbon emissions and improve safety during HS2 construction
Professional Engineering
HS2 Ltd has signed up five new firms to its ‘Innovation Accelerator’, hoping to cut carbon emissions and improve safety on the high-speed rail project. Aimed at bringing ‘fresh thinking and a new perspective’ to the much delayed and over-budget railway, the innovation programme is delivered in partnership with the Connected Places Catapult and Bruntwood SciTech.
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Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.