Engineering news
Darpa awards nuclear rocket contracts
New Atlas
A nuclear thermal propulsion rocket could fly in low Earth orbit by 2025 after Darpa (Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency) in the US awarded contracts for the first stage of its programme. General Atomics, Jeff Bezos-founded Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin will work on the technology, which could offer high thrust and high efficiency.
’Superbug killer’ tears bacteria apart
Professional Engineering
A new ultra-thin antimicrobial coating could be applied to wound dressings and implants to tear bacteria and fungal cells apart, preventing potentially deadly infections. The superbug-destroying coating was developed by researchers at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, using ‘2D’ black phosphorus. It is effective against a broad range of drug-resistant bacteria and fungal cells while leaving human cells unharmed.
Application made for large ‘green’ hydrogen plant
The Engineer
Green Hydrogen for Scotland has submitted a planning application to build the UK’s largest electrolyser, close to the Whitelee onshore wind farm. Wind and solar energy would power the 20MW electrolyser, which could produce up to eight tonnes of hydrogen every day.
Structural health monitoring can reduce costs for cash-strapped airlines
Professional Engineering
The aerospace sector needs to save money, with the airline industry expected to make a loss of more than $150bn in 2020 and 2021. Recent advances in structural health monitoring, which uses a mix of sensors and actuators, smart materials and energy harvesting to detect minor damage before it becomes significant, could help airlines reduce some costs.
No-cement concrete could reduce construction emissions
E&T
A new method of producing concrete without cement could reduce carbon emissions from the construction industry, researchers at the University of Tokyo have said. The technique, which uses alcohol and a catalyst during treatment of sand, could potentially be adopted for construction of bases on the Moon.
Dyson announces 200 new research roles in energy storage, AI and more
Professional Engineering
Energy storage, AI, high-speed digital motors, sensors and material science will be some of the areas of focus for 200 new researchers at Dyson. The company, which rose to prominence with its cyclonic bagless vacuum before diversifying into areas including hand dryers and hair styling, will host the new roles at its UK Innovation Campus in Wiltshire, one of the largest R&D centres in the country.
Whitest ever paint could cool buildings
New Atlas
Engineers at Purdue University have developed the whitest ever paint, using a mixture of barium sulphate particles of different sizes. The paint, which reportedly reflects 98.1% of sunlight, could be applied to buildings for cooling effects similar to air conditioners.
New ways of charging needed to boost electric car revolution
Professional Engineering
Electrification in the automotive sector is accelerating, and fast charging is an increasingly important target for manufacturers. Rapid charging can cause battery degradation, however, so projects are exploring new ways of fast charging while protecting batteries.
Graphene aerogel could remove contaminants from water
The Engineer
Graphene aerogels created using a new 3D-printing process could remove contaminants from water, its developers have said. The researchers from University at Buffalo in New York state used direct ink writing and freeze-drying to create the aerogels.
Researchers predict formation of destructive bubbles
Professional Engineering
Despite their innocuous appearance and deceptively floaty name, bubbles can cause destructive wear and tear, and even major failures, in hydraulic systems. A new model of bubble formation developed at the University of Waterloo in Canada could help engineers improve the safety of hydraulic systems used for pipelines, water turbines and other applications.
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Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.