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The article discusses the wind-tunnel testing at the production area of BAE Systems. Greg Flanagan, the company's senior wind-tunnel engineer, relates that engineers collect data to affirm whether the plane will fly and if their computational fluid dynamics (CFD) projections are accurate. The facility of BAE Systems at Warton site near Preston, England consists of four wind tunnels, hot gas laboratory and the advanced gas facility which tests the aspects of short take off and vertical landing (STOVL) planes.

The article looks at geothermal projects of the British government in Cornwall, England. According to the article, the key to the success of any geothermal project is to understand what happens to the water once it is injected into the rocks. Geothermal Engineering is scheduled to drill the first of its test boreholes at a site near Redruth and is expected to produce 10 megawatts (MW) of electricity and 55MW of heat. Another project is designed to provide heat to the climate-controlled domes.

The article examines the progress of the Bloodhound supersonic car project in Bristol, England. It explores the effort of the Bloodhound Supersonic car (SSC) team, spearheaded by chief engineer Mark Chapman, to select the appropriate shape of the vehicle. It mentions the completion of the rear half of the chassis by Easter and the front section on the end of 2011. It cites that the wheels are still subject for argumentation and that the steering and suspension system are both conventional.

The article focuses on the earthquake test facility of the University of Bristol in England. The earthquake simulation facility, which in 5 meters (m) below street level, is managed by the university's Earthquake Engineering Research Centre. The facility has 3m by 3m shaking table which can take loads of up to 15 tonnes. Details of a research on the behavior of travelling earthquake waves and the effect on bridges conducted by the facility are given. INSETS: Shake, rattle and roll;Simulating earth tremors.

Reports on complaints raised by engineering companies about the kind of treatment they get from the city of London, England. City's apparent ignorance of what engineers do and the long-term nature of engineering development horizons; Banks' lending conditions; Interest repayments paid by smaller companies. INSET: Lots of venturesome types, not many bankers..

The article focuses on a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer that can rapidly assess the condition of a patient's metabolism sample and provide accurate information to surgeons in about 20 minutes, installed at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, England. A definition of metabolism is given which is the chemical activity in a body that occurs to maintain life. The NMR forms the centrepiece of the Surgical Metabonomics Laboratory in St Mary's.

The article focuses on research which assesses the ways of measuring friction in human skin and the effect of normal work force and roughness on it using a rig test method, being conducted by the department of mechanical engineering at the University of Sheffield in England. The use of probes to test skin was rejected by the researchers. To test the amount of friction created by a range of materials, the researchers use finger friction rig incorporating two Vishay Tedea-Hunleigh Model 614 50 kilogram rated load cells.

The article focuses on a project of redesigning booms used in space exploration to make them vibration-free, conducted by engineers at the University of Southampton in England. The team used the classic tubular truss as its starting point. Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, with assistance from space contractor Astrium, the project aims to develop a boom design that would not transmit vibration from one end to the other. It is stated that by altering the lengths of the sections, the design can change if the boom is to encounter different frequency vibrations. According to project leader Andy Keane, any finalised products will probably be made from carbon fibre.

The article cites a study on bugs and superbugs like Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) responsible for spreading infection. One of the regular features of the tabloid press in recent months has been headlines about so-called superbugs such as MRSA. A worldwide team of experts assembled to discuss this issue at a recent conference, called Hospital Infection Control, at the IMechE in London, England. The focus of the conference was ensuring effective ventilation to reduce the risk of airborne infection.

Reports that engineers working on the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's site in Harwell, Oxfordshire, England find it a hard time removing waste from the site. Purpose of setting up the site in the 1940s; Long-term aim set by scientists for the site; Comments of head of the Active Waste Retrieval Programme Roy Manning on the issue.

Focuses on the heating problems in the London Underground (LU) network. Role of LU engineer Ernie Boddington in solving the problems of the overheated network; Overview of the amount of heat produced within the network; Use of computer models to analyze the effects of various heat reduction methods; Focus on reducing station and tunnel temperatures and introducing air conditioning systems. INSET: Suggestions flow in from the South Bank.

Highlights a roller coaster called Air ride at Alton Towers, designed to offer exhilaration rather than sheer terror in Blackpool, England. Speed of the roller coaster; Control systems and mechanics of the ride; Creation of an illusion of fear; Designer of Air ride; Reliance of breaking system on a constant supply of compressed air.

Reports on the focus of the meeting of the Engineering Alliance Workshop in London, England. Effects of the publication of a green paper on education; Proposals on the ways to raise the standards of engineering education; Elitism of engineers on requiring the brightest students. INSET: How did we get here? A Lesson from history.

Reports the construction of a synchrotron radiation source Diamond at the Rutherforford Appleton Laboratory in Didcot, England. Sources of funds of the project; Uses of Diamond synchrotron radiation; Plans of a joint venture of the Diamond project with companies.

Reports on plans to extend the life of London, England's Thames Flood Barrier. Measurement of the effectiveness of the barrier; Amount needed to protect the city up to 2100; Maintenance and use of lifting mechanism; Reliability of their electric supply. INSETS: How the flood barrier works.;The water rises..

Provides information on the Autosub project, an initiative built and developed by the joint venture between the University of Southampton and the Natural Environment Research Council called Southampton Oceanography Center, to examine underwater environmental conditions. Source of funding for the project; Features of the autosub; Details on the functions of the autosub.

Reports on the creation of movie-icon monsters at the Creature Shop in London, England. Jobs of prototype design engineers; Use of standard medium pressure hydraulics systems; Benefits from improvement in computer graphics.

Reports on an extension to the Science Museum in London, England where the exhibition Making the Modern World in located. Aim of the exhibits to raise awareness of contemporary science issues through displays on modern developments such as digital technology; Key aspects of the Wellcome Wing extension.

Suggests ways for conserving supplies of drinking water in Great Britain. Use of non-potable water for non-drinking functions; Thames Water's demonstration of various forms of water capturing systems in the Millennium Dome in London, England; Use of rainwater, recycled water and water from a borehole for the dome's 671 toilets. INSET: The domestic habits of Environment Agency staff..

Reports on the development of technology that has enabled the lower-cost construction and operation of tram systems in English cities. Light rail vehicles using stored energy of a flywheel for power; Lighter weight track footing requirements; Technology developed by consulting engineers Parry Associates and Parry People Movers; Collaboration agreement of other civil engineering company Clayton Equipment.

Focuses on the projects being funded by the Millennium Commission in Great Britain, that will provide a lasting tribute to and a celebration of engineering. Includes the National Space Science Center at Abbey Meadows; Magna exhibition center in South Yorkshire; Baltic Millennium Footbridge.

Reports on the construction of the British Airways London Eye, the giant steel observation ferris wheel located in the south bank of the Thames River, London, England. Total cost of the project; Scheduled attachment of passenger capsules before December 31, 1999; Speed of rotation; Logistical difficulties; Installation of hydraulic drive units. INSET: Capsules designed for safety..

The article reports on the opening of the M Shed museum in Bristol, England. It states that the museum features and displays artefacts that tell the stories of the people, as well as the Bristolians' past and social history. The museum has three themes such as Bristol Places, People, and Life. The museum's ground floor showcases displays that explain the city's origin with a huge aerial photography of the area.

The article reports on the collaboration between the Unversity of Bristol's Advanced Composite Centre for Innovation and Science (Accis) in England and the Composites Centre at Imperial College London in England, aided by industrial partners, on a program to develop a new generation of carbon composite materials. The stated aim of the project is to introduce ductility into composites and to change the architecture of composites in two distinct ways. Other tasks involved in the program include precise tension and notched tests.

The article provides information on the seismic simulation facility located at the grounds of University of Bristol in England. It states that the laboratory is used by test and compliance specialist Trac Global Ltd. and operated by earthquake engineering research of the university. According to Adam Crewe, senior lecturer in earthquake engineering at the university, the efforts are focused on industry-sponsored research, academic work and for civil engineers.

Science Museum of London, England has opened a new gallery devoted to explaining the mysterious world of energy to children. The Museum has gone to great lengths to inject some fun into the education, through a series of ingenious computerized games and eye-catching interactive displays that explain all aspects of energy production and use. Conventional glossy booklets and a computer-based quiz on general energy facts, complete with an exhaustive glossary, provides yet more information.

Describes Unigro's pesticide-free farming system inside curved plastic tunnels at its headquarters in Kent, England. Accuracy of temperature and humidity control; Inclusion of thick layers of polycarbonate and an inner layer with a gap of 19-millimeter between them.

Reports on the smooth, computer-controlled solution to Milton Keynes' congestion problems in England. Features and capabilities of the Urban Traffic Management and Control system; Funding of the project by the development agency English Partnerships and Milton Keynes Council; Electro-magnetic induction loops embedded in the road.

Reports on the Turner Prize engineering exhibition at the Tate Britain Gallery in London, England. Engineering crafts demonstrated.

Reports that London, England-based XS Tronix offers clients a complete mobile telephone recycling service of collection and processing. Incentive for consumers; Concept of redundant phones.

Focuses on the government efforts on attracting students to science, engineering and technology (SET) courses in England. Support of the manufacturing industry on the initiative; Formation of ambassadors to encourage schoolchildren to SET; Use of real-life examples on attracting students. INSET: Switch girls on to science and technology, says minister.

Assesses the efforts of the Cambridge University to provide a totally green, emission-free coach service in England. Financial assistance by the European Commission; Effects of using hydrogen fuel cells; Launch of the Urban Integrated Solar to Hydrogen Energy Realisation Project.

Features the flow measurement equipment invented by Yorkshire Water in England. Compliance with the environmental legislation; Plans of manufacturing and marketing the device; Cost of the product.

Focuses on the Beddington Zero Energy Development housing project in Surrey, England. Combination of all environmental best practice and energy saving equipment in the housing units; Structure of the units; Construction materials used.

Highlights the 60th anniversary commemoration of the maiden flight of Gloster E.28/39 4041, the jet-powered plane of Sir Frank Whittle in Lincolnshire, England. Reunion of the Whittle Reactionaries; History of the creation of the Reactionaries; Members of the Reactionaries team; Holding of lectures to marked the anniversary; Presentation of historic photographs.

Focuses on the use of a female mould in constructing a racing yacht by the Assa Abloy Racing Team in Southampton, England. Use of the technique in building cruising boats; Advantages of using a female mould; Construction of two boats by the team for accurate testing and calibration.

Reports on the great crested newt preservation program of Cosworth Technology Ltd. at its car engine parts foundry in Worcester, England. Investment in preparing a habitat for the newts; Environmental certification plans for the site; Other environmental programs such as energy wastage reduction and material reuse. INSET: Cosworth's environmental moves..

Focuses on the research conducted by a team of Reading University, England scientists on the cutting of cheese, bacon and other food materials. Minimization of waste material; Variables of the cutting process; Advantage of a curved blade.

Focuses on the efforts of the General Aquifer Research, Development and Investigation Team (Gardit) to address the rising levels of London, England's underground water. Problems posed by rising underground water levels on buildings in city; Highlights of the five-phase program developed by Gardit; Plans for the extra water collected from the project.

Reports on Arbre Energy's construction of a power station in North Yorkshire, England, that will be fueled by purpose-grown willow crops. Expected electric generation capacity; Funding; Operation of a process known as biomass integrated gasification combined cycle; Sustainable, carbon-neutral process; Demonstration of the role that biomass will pay in meeting renewable energy generation targets.

Reports on the planned offshore wind turbines in Northumberland, England. Generating output of the turbines; Construction timetable; Project funding; Companies involved in the project.

Reports on the construction of sculptor Antony Gormley's steel sculpture `Quantum Cloud' on the Thames in England. Combination of art and technology in creating the sculpture; Elliott Wood Partnership's oversight of construction work; Sculpture design; Manufacture of the sculpture's parts.