Civil, Structural & Architecture

26 May 23

Book review: ‘Flight Not Improbable’ by Simine Short

Civil, Structural & Architecture, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

When it comes to protagonists in the early history of aviation, Octave Chanute does not spring to mind perhaps so readily as the Wright brothers, who are generally accepted as being the pioneers who invented, built and flew the first motor-operated aeroplane. Yet, as Simine Short observes at the start…

24 May 23

Drivers should be taxed per mile starting with EVs, think tank says

Civil, Structural & Architecture, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

In its ‘The Future of Driving’ report, the centre-right think tank said that road transport in Britain generates too much congestion and air pollution and that drivers are paying more through taxation than is invested back in the road network. CPS argues that fuel duty and vehicle excise duty should…

23 May 23

Rimac Nevera EV Sets 23 World Speed Records

Civil, Structural & Architecture

A few decades ago, any car with 400 horsepower—say, a 1992 Dodge Viper—came across as 1992-era Arnold Schwarzenegger strong. The McLaren F1’s 620 horsepower seemed like something from another universe, as did its US $1 million price tag.Today, attainable internal combustion engine cars like the Corvette Z06 or BMW M5…

19 May 23

Great British Railways project at risk, reports suggest

Civil, Structural & Architecture, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

The creation of Great British Railways (GBR) - former prime minister Boris Johnson's plan to simplify the British rail network - may not be included in the King's speech this year, leading to the formation of a diminished body with only a fraction of the powers included in the original…

19 May 23

Why ducted fuel-injection might be a game changer for heavy vehicles

Civil, Structural & Architecture, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

A 2016 New York Times article recounting the history of our relationship with diesel, from its invention in the 1800s to Volkswagen’s ‘Dieselgate’ scandal, concluded that the notion of clean diesel was “an oxymoron”. Exhaust from diesel engines contains harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and soot particles. Although governments…

19 May 23

View from India: Navigate through green mobility as water metro makes waves

Civil, Structural & Architecture, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

Operated by Kochi Metro Rail Ltd, the Kochi Water Metro (KWM) connects 10 islands. In all, the KWM is spread across 78km and has a fleet of 78 electrically propelled hybrid ferries. This is a first of its kind project in India, and probably the first integrated water transport system…

17 May 23

Is it time to ban PVC? Ohio freight train crash reopens the debate

Civil, Structural & Architecture, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

Environmental issues take us round the world in this issue, but let’s start with the Coronation. Whatever you think of him or the monarchy, you have to admit that the newly crowned King Charles III was there early, talking about global warming, conservation and many other environmental issues long before they were fashionable, let alone…

17 May 23

Self-driving cars will cause ‘moral panic’, says transport minister

Civil, Structural & Architecture, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

Jesse Norman told MPs that a “horrendous” part of the development of the technology will be “scare stories, particularly in the early stages”. Last month, the UK became the first European country to allow drivers to take their hands off car steering wheels on public roads, after the Department for…

11 May 23

TransPennine Express to be nationalised over ‘continuous cancellations’

Civil, Structural & Architecture, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

The government has decided not to renew the TransPennine contract from 28 May, after a quarter of the operator's services were cancelled in January and February and one in six trains did not run in March 2023. The constant cancellations and delays have resulted in a considerable decline in confidence…

11 May 23

New electric ‘Slant’ on getting the shopping home given funding boost

Civil, Structural & Architecture, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

A team of innovation master’s students at the University of Bristol have developed a tap-to-rent electric trailer that can be attached to a bike or e-scooter. The e-trailer could help cut the estimated 4.5 billion car journeys made to and from supermarkets in England each year, as well as assisting…

Civil, Structural & Architecture

Book review: ‘Flight Not Improbable’ by Simine Short

Drivers should be taxed per mile starting with EVs, think tank says

Rimac Nevera EV Sets 23 World Speed Records

Great British Railways project at risk, reports suggest

Why ducted fuel-injection might be a game changer for heavy vehicles

View from India: Navigate through green mobility as water metro makes waves

Is it time to ban PVC? Ohio freight train crash reopens the debate

Self-driving cars will cause ‘moral panic’, says transport minister

TransPennine Express to be nationalised over ‘continuous cancellations’

New electric ‘Slant’ on getting the shopping home given funding boost

Electronic skin can self-heal after a cut, researchers find

IEEE President’s Note: Connecting the Unconnected

3 stories of founders building apps for the LGBTQ+ community

5 ways you can personalize your smartwatch with Wear OS

Here’s how Unilever is harnessing AI to innovate your favourite products