Highway to Nobel
A chemical reaction changed biotech forever and it was discovered on a California road, E&T reports.
Synthetic biologists believe it's possible to design organisms out of kits of parts, but evolution has a few nasty surprises for them, E&T reveals.
The use of synthetic biology techniques is opening new doors in the production of renewable biofuels but, as E&T discovers, this work is still at an early stage of development.
The use of chemical makeup found in single cell organisms to transform raw materials into environmentally friendly products is a novel approach to manufacturing but it is not as far-fetched as it appears, as E&T discovers.
In this biotech issue, E&T grapples with sticky squids while synthetic biology battles Mother Nature. Turns out she's a tough old bird who doesn't take kindly to mankind's attempts to monkey about with her grand design. Other features this issue look at microbes for biofuels, bacteria for factories and humans for Mars, plus there's much more in a range of sector-specific articles, along with comprehensive industry news and E&T's popular regular columns.
It's just not rock 'n' roll 
Napster was a catalyst for rampant music file-sharing and put the fear of God into music industry executives worldwide - the spectre of digital rights management (DRM) has loomed over online music retailers' efforts ever since. E&T investigates.
Radio waves of progress
As CMOS becomes more capable engineers are using it for RF work, but development has not stopped on the III-V processes that used to be essential, reports E&T.
Good medicine
Why build a custom processor-based control system for a medical device when you can buy one off the shelf? E&T looks at the issues.
Process and cost control
Innovation in control and automation technology efficiency is among the key themes of Hannover Messe 2009, reports E&T.
Power shift
A 'Great Game' is being played in the Central Asia republics of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. E&T takes a look at the region that holds five per cent of the world's energy supplies.
A web of research
Text mining and Web 2.0 techniques could provide a system for sifting mountains of biological data, providing new possibilities for collaboration. E&T reports.
Keeping IP in trim
It's no good implementing sexy new network applications if the underlying IP infrastructure isn't fast enough to deal with the increased traffic; but new optimisation and management tools are proving there's speed in the old protocol yet, as E&T reports.
For whom the road tolls
The Dutch government aims to replace road tax with a pay-per-kilometre charging scheme. E&T looks at the IT that will make it work.
Unnatural plastics
Scientists have been looking to nature for inspiration for a new generation of plastics. As E&T discovers, the catalyst for their development has been the advances in synthetic biology techniques.
Into the darkness
In the first of two articles on the history and future of the fibre market, E&T looks back to the first fibre-optic network boom and bust and asks what lessons can be drawn.
Back to the future
More bandwidth means more power from basestations, but tricks from the 1930s are stepping in to help, notes E&T.
Reaching for the stars
Sending humans to Mars, setting up off-world colonies and exploring asteroids may sound like science fiction, but they are in fact short-term commercial realities, requiring proper corporate structures, management teams and business plans. E&T explains how the 'NewSpace' companies of tomorrow are working today.
When the going gets tough
How will your business survive the storm-tossed seas of the economic depression? E&T reviews a bullet-point management 'how to' manual that pulls no punches in its approach to surviving against the odds.
Frankenstein reclaimed
According to recent media headlines, ethanol derived from biomass is a 'Frankenstein Fuel', human DNA inserted into a cow's egg delivers 'Frankenstein's Monster', and even the sub-prime mortgage disaster is a consequence of 'Frankenstein Finance'. E&T asks: what exactly does this much-abused journalistic cliché mean?
Inventor's inbox
Our tireless inventors Mark Sheahan and Patrick Andrews discuss hygiene, confidentiality, pill packaging and other important issues of modern healthcare.
Analysis: 'Low cost' rules at Embedded World
E&T finds the embedded systems sector bearing up better than expected.
Analysis: Engineers slam 'flawed' socket covers
E&T investigates claims that children in Britain are put at risk by a product meant to protect them.
The end of ageing?
Over a pint, biogerontologist Aubrey de Grey talks to E&T about humanity's 'No 1 problem' of engineering longevity.
Exciting new-seums
A trip to the museum need never be 'boring' again since the introduction of high-tech displays and cutting-edge social networking systems, E&T discovers.
Gadget speak
This week, E&T weighs up the battle between My Space and Facebook and we give you some insider tips on how to restore your digital memories - after you've hit the delete button!
Latest Issue
"Africa is abundant with engineering opportunity. We look at some of the projects and the problems."
News
Most viewed
From forums
- Isolation for repair of transformer feeder [09:57 pm 22/05/13]
- Wires numbering in Motor Control Cabinet (MCC) - continuous or not? [03:16 pm 22/05/13]
- "Contracts for Difference" in the Explanatory Notes to the Energy Bill [02:02 pm 22/05/13]
- Old LV Switchgear replacement Companies [12:54 pm 22/05/13]
- Delegated Powers Memorandum [12:33 pm 22/05/13]
Subscribe
Choose the way you would like to access the latest news and developments in your field.
