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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.

Focuses on the environmental research of the Natural Environment Research Council's British Antarctic Survey on the South Pole. Function of engineers in the research team; Problems encountered by the research team; Information on the innovated equipment of the team.

The article looks at how clean room facilities at British universities have had to adapt in response to hosting research work on the increasing number of materials, structures or processes grouped under the name nanotechnology. It notes that the University of Southampton in England has upgraded its facilities beginning in 2007, after its clean room and an office block were destroyed by a fire. It also talks about the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre at the University of Glasgow in Scotland.

The article focuses on the growth of the renewable energy sector in Great Britain. It states that Great Britain's renewables sector, particularity in Scotland, has been growing due to the progress in the development of offshore wind turbines and the production of other marine devices. Meanwhile, it mentions that the infrastructure and expertise gained by the oil and gas industries of Great Britain are expected to boost green technology development.

The article focuses on the importance of technology advances in exploring oil reserves in the North Sea to improve the oil industry in the area. Mark Burchell of BP PLC says that the improvement in seismic technology and the way they use it are important factors in BP's efforts to discover more reserves. Burchell mentions that geosteering is used to acquire data from the seabed up to the surface. Burchell adds that BP's activity in the area shows important belief in the North Sea industry. INSET: Small is bountiful.

The article presents a discussion among world experts on the subject of solar power in Great Britain. Jeremy Leggett of Solarcentury believes that feed-in tariff cuts are premature and will end investor interest in large-scale photovoltaics (PV). Renewable Energy Association's Ray Noble explains strategies that the British government should adopt to boost further take-up of solar energy systems. Shawn Qu of Canadian Solar comments on the long-term potential for solar power in Britain.

The article reports on the implications of cloud computing which uses remote servers to deliver engineering software for users. It indicates that computer-aided design (CAD) software products from SolidWorks, Autodesk Inc., and PTC Software Ltd. provide greater use of cloud computing. It asserts that cloud computing is already well-established in MobileMe online storage space and Hotmail and back-up service offered by broadband providers.

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 focuses on testing of a range of products designed and developed by the defense industry including body armors and fighter planes to check their ability to endure in extreme environments like bullets, blasts and shrapnel. It offers information on the specialized machinery installed with in the High Strain Rate Test Facility of BAE Systems PLC which makes use of a gas gun to create the experience of being shot. It also discusses the principle, working and capabilities of a gas gun. INSET: 'Liquid' armour offers improved protection.

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.

Focuses on the formation of companies during the economic slowdown in the U.S. Reduction of labor costs; Discount in purchasing plant equipment; Availability of finance. INSET: Where to look for help and support.

Focuses on environmental problems associated with noise. Noise emissions directive which is creating ripples within the manufacturing industry; Details of the proposed approach of the European Union to tackle noise created by cities through the creation of noise maps; Way to estimate the noise created by factories.

Addresses safety concerns in the transportation of spent fuels in the British nuclear industry. Types of flasked used to store uranium-oxide fuel being transported to the British Nuclear Fuels; Preparations done prior to the transportation of spent fuels; Efforts done by the nuclear industry to reduce safety risks in transporting spent fuels.

The article reports on the strategic planning by the Yorkshire Forward (YF) on the use of carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) through the establishment of the Carbon Capture and Storage Partnership for Yorkshire and the Humber in England. It states that the partnership is a working group made up of representatives of the big CO2 emitters in the region and operators of the oil and gas fields in the southern North Sea. The initial feasibility study of the plans for the network strengthens the case for investment in CCS by a group of companies which run plants.

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 offers information on Alex Michaelis and Dominic Michaelis project about thermal energy of oceans in Great Britain. They plan to unlock a new way of generating great amounts of renewable power and drinking water on energy islands in the tropical oceans and turn the concept of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) into reality. Such project will be launched in the Indian Ocean wherein the warm, salty water is introduced into a vacuum chamber where it boils and then the steam is fed into a turbine to generate electricity. It then passes to condensing equipment, cooled by cold water pumped up from the ocean depths and produces large quantities of desalinated water.

The article discusses the problems confronting the 15 offshore wind farms in Great Britain. The government approved the project in December 2003 and was expected that these turbines alone could power one in six houses. Since then, none of the 15 wind farms are up and running. Developers of the Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm has spent a large amount of its effort in trying to gain consent, including the production of comprehensive onshore and offshore environmental impact assessments covering everything from bird life and marine ecology to landscape and vegetation.

The article reports on the interest of Norwegian oil and aluminum group Hydro on carbon capture and storage (CCS) or sequestration technology. CCS refers to the process of capturing carbon dioxide chemically and pumping it to a place with right geology to store it underground. Hydro sees high potential in the technology, in fact it is part of a major collaborative CCS project called CO2 Capture Project, along with other oil companies like Chevron, Texaco and Shell. Moroever, Norwegian state and Staoil plan to build a demonstration plant at Mongstad for capturing carbon dioxide at only £100 million to address the huge cost of a full scale CCS plant.

The article introduces the Direct Energy Conversion Method, a linear generator used to create electricity and manufactured by Trident Energy in Northumberland, England. The device was being tested at the New and Renewable Energy Centre. A patent was issued to the product due to its cost-effective wave power capability.

The article introduces the EngineerAid website, an internet-based scheme set up by electrical engineer John Paul McKeown. EngineeringAid was developed as a practical response to the dearth of maintenance skills in Africa. EngineerAid also provides expert technical advice directly to the people struggling with faulty machinery.

Reports on the setting up of the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme in Great Britain. Diversion of 13.5 million tons of waste from landfill; Use of ash in brick-making.

The article discusses initiatives of Aeroflex to donate equipment to Lancaster University and University College London (UCL) that made their laboratories uniquely well equipped for specific research areas within wireless broadband communications. The test equipment allowed more research into the standards and protocols for digital cellular networks used by mobile phones including GSM, GPRs and EDGE. Aeroflex also offer work placements that provide students with distinct projects of their own.

The article reports on the testing of new methods of sensing and collecting air pollution data at the Heathrow Airport in England. It claims that the project is financed by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). The project is led by University of Cambridge professor of atmospheric science, Rod Jones.

The article focuses on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) issues surrounding a passenger flight. York University's Andy Marvin explains that the risk posed by interference is higher in older aeroplanes. He points out a possibility that electronic devices may emit more interference as it ages. Information on the research programme High Intensity Radiated Field--Synthetic Environment is also provided.

The article focuses on the electronics manufacturing sector in Great Britain. It notes the strong competition facing the sector from firms in Asian countries. Teknoflex is a British firm that specialises in making flexible circuits and flex-rigid hybird printed circuit boards (PCBs). Keith Netting of Teknoflex cites one advantage of a flexible circuit. It cites solderability testing as key to ensuring that the PCB will work as intended.

The article describes the new carbon dioxide (CO2) and sequestration (CCS) approach that is being pioneered at Newcastle University's School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences and potentially playing a role in the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). As part of project, Professor David Manning has initiated a research project called Carbon Capture Gardens to investigate what makes up the best conditions to maximize CO2 absorption. The study consists of plant growth analysis, promotion of biodiversity, and soil examination.

The article discusses the growth of innovative packaging and vinyl versions to boost the sales of sound recordings in Great Britain. Neil Gibbons of Key Production notes that his company has gained increases in orders through lavish packaging which include items such dog tags, t-shirts, and books. Chris Marksberry also points out that special packs have provided more sales for their company, Sound Performance, through offering prototypes or a walk-through of the pack before making the product. INSETS: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: VINYL AT RETAIL;SOMETHING NEW: DESIGNING FOR GIL AND JAMIE.

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 the advantages of physical product deluxe packaging in terms of the record labels' main trump card. It states that the repackaging of old products is a new scheme in the music industry but has affected those companies that supply it. According to Allan Wells, managing director and co-owner of Delga Press, they have to provide total solutions for customers and they have to improve their packaging. INSETS: Know your Station;Repackage, not fade away.

The article deals with an X-ray project financed by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The project aims to create greater resolution and quality of X-ray images utilizing the extremely high powered lasers applied in a synchrotron in a conventional hospital scenario. Patented by Alessandro Olivo of the medical physics and bioengineering department at University College London (UCL), the method uses mammography scans using ultrabright light sources.

The article provides information on the Bloodhound Supersonic Car (SSC) project. Introduced by Richard Noble, the project aims to construct a vehicle which is capable of running 1,000 miles per hour (mph) with a 31 percent increase on the current land speed record using a jet engine and rocket for propulsion. The produced vehicle will be tested further as it undergoes speed trials on the Hakskeen Pan in north-eastern South Africa in 2012.

The article offers information on the effects of climate change and rainfall levels on the construction of manmade slopes and embankments. It reports that slopes are created to support large parts of road and rail infrastructures. It discusses the performance and behaviors of slopes and embankments under various climatic changes.

The article focuses on the role of Automatic and Urban and Rural Network (AURN) in monitoring the levels of air pollution in Great Britain. The AURN is managed by consulting firm Bureau Veritas on behalf of environmental agency Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It has 120 stations that are maintained and operated by local officials who have the responsibility of monitoring air to provide data into the national air quality strategy of the government to reduce pollution.

The article discusses some precautionary measures to avoid the consequences of electromagnetic inference in medical devices. One of the drivers for avoiding electromagnetic interference is the requirement of getting the CE mark. The European Union (EU) directive requires all medical devices to be designed in a way that minimize the risks of transmitting electromagnetic fields. Testing of electromagnetic interference focuses on the level of emissions and radiated immunity that the product may create.

The article discusses the same strains and stresses that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) undergo as any other military aircraft in Great Britain. It says that UAVs are widely used for surveillance purposes above military zones, which are remote-controlled aircraft packed with advanced data acquisition equipment together with power and propulsion systems and a highly complex control. According to Mantis project delivery manager Ian Muldowney, the experience of the company of making all manner of aircraft helped minimize the amount of physical testing.

The article explains the rigorous and lengthy testing that the Eurofighter Typhoon undergoes during the manufacturing process in Great Britain. It says that the relatively high demands of military aircraft applied greater pressure on manufacturers to deliver the best performance possible. According to the author, the canard wings undergo exhaustive non-destructive testing (NDT) to check the integrity of the internal structure and diffusion bonds. The purpose of the ultrasonic testing and the finishing of the approved canard wings are also discussed.

The article discusses how the works of the Research Centre in Non-Destructive Evaluation (RCNDE) are different from conventional non-destructive testing (NDT) in Great Britain. RCNDE development manager Peter Thayer says that the work of the centre goes deeper although non-destructive evaluation looks the same as NDT. According to the author, the development of laser-based active thermography is a research project that looks at remote inspection. He adds that the NDE has many applications in power generation firms like RWE Npower and Alstom Power.

The article explains how E.On Engineering, the specialist testing team of power and gas company E.On, makes sure that its fleet of power stations burning biomass keep their emissions to a minimum and comply with the terms of the Waste Incineration Directive and the Large Combustion Plant Directive of Great Britain. The company uses infra-red absorption equipment and Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy to monitor and analyze gases. Other equipment used are paramagnetic detectors, chemiluminescence analyzers, impingers and bubble tubes. INSET: Mediterranean diet for power plant.

The article reports on the use of carbon-fiber composite materials by aircraft manufacturers to ensure the elimination of the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of the plane by reducing its electrical conductivity. One of the manufacturers using composites is Airbus with its testing and development work on the A350 XWB aircraft. The use of composites though poses problems on dealing with lightning strikes and high-intensity radiation. Meanwile, a computational EMC modelling is being used by BAE Systems to support the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft design.

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 the importance of public relation (PR) campaigns in the promotion of the return of bands like The Special wherein director and owner of Impressive PR Mel Brown believes that the success of the return of a band depends on the artist, the interest of the fans as well as their originality. INSETS: Filthy lucre or fulfilling unfinished business?;Airplay analysis.

The article offers insights on the compact disc (CD) replicating industry in Great Britain with focus on the transfer of replicating companies to low-cost regions, declining sales, and strategies. It provides an overview of the consolidation of branches and acquisitions among replicating firms which have resulted to business closures. It adds that disc sales are showing an increasing trend but over-capacity in the industry requires companies to consolidate its assets resources to reduce cost.

The article looks at the developments in the projects of ISVR Consulting, the consultancy of the University of Southampton's Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR), with emphasis on automotive noise and vibration control. ISVR caters to industries needing total noise reduction and small secondary component sources, assists engine developers for reducing the base engine noise and refines noise level. The unit also has services to help carmakers test their own vehicles. Other services of the firm are active and passive noise cancellation.

The article discusses how testing and measuring vibration can help in the development of better building standards. It talks about the contribution of Full Scale Dynamics, the spin-off consultancy arm of the Vibration Engineering Research Section at the University of Sheffield in England, to the development of national and international design guidelines on vibrations in buildings. According to group founder, Professor Aleksandar Pavic, humans are the biggest source of floor vibrations. Information on a combined analytical and experimental procedure developed by Pavic's team is offered.

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 discusses research being done on noise and vibration issues concerning a vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT). A study of the Windside turbine in central Bristol, England, done by the University of Vaasa in Finland, found that the turbine increased the sound pressure by 1 to 5 decibel (dB) with the device in charging mode at a wind speed of 3 to 10 metres per second (m/s), against background noise of 40 to 50 dB. Micro-renewables technical specialist Dave Hails of the New and Renewable Energy Centre (Narec), compares the VAWT with the horizontal axis WT. It talks about the acoustic testing done on wind turbines. Stephen Crosher, project design director at Quiet Revolution, cites some of the steps taken to eliminate vibration in turbines. INSET: Careful positioning is crucial.

The article focuses on the development of smart materials for use in the aerospace industry in Great Britain. According to the article, the principle behind smart materials is their ability to sense and respond to changes in their environment in a predictable way. It offers information on the self-repairing fibre-reinforced polymer composite developed at Bristol University. It states that the University of Bolton is lead partner in a government-funded project that looks at how reactive structural materials can be developed for use in the industry. It is inferred that Patrick Grant, a professor of materials at Oxford University, offers a note of caution about the integration of any smart materials on airplanes, particularly regarding maintenance.

The article outlines some of the issues regarding the efforts made by the aircraft industry to cut the noise of aircraft engines. Despite the decline of the average noise level from around 115 decibels in 1960 to about 95 decibels in 2000, the industry is still looking for more improvement and has set up initiatives to target lower decibel levels in coming years. The objective is that key plane designs and engine models from all the major airplane-makers should see these targets met and help the aviation industry continue to grow without increasing noise for residents living near airports.

The article discusses the concept of the Triz Theory of problem solving and its application to engineering design. It relates that the basic conceptual foundation of the theory is based on the assumption that the principles of creativity in problem solving can be taught and learned. Moreover, it cites several individuals who vouch for the effectiveness of the Triz Theory, such as computer aided design designer Rob Sedgeman. INSET: TRIZ CHANGED MY LIFE.