Nuclear power? Nein Danke
Germany’s decison to ditch nuclear power could lead to power cuts, higher bills and missed carbon targets. But it could also make the nation the renewables capital of the world.
The UK Cabinet Office thinks that cloud computing can deliver cost savings to public sector IT expenditure; but insourcing outsourcing is throwing up some dilemmas.
The Android operating system is becoming a major player in embedded systems – but does developer Google even care?
Despite high-profile attacks, there is still a lack of IT security in key public infrastructure. We ask if it will take a major meltdown to prompt governments to take action.
Closing down: the recent announcement by German chancellor Angela Merkel that her country would abandon nuclear power completely by 2022 has triggered furious debate, despite the concept already being a known long-term goal. E&T analyses the immediate reaction and looks ahead to possible future scenarios. Elsewhere in this issue, we discuss data protection and super-injunctions; the mesmerising world of digital animation; the inexorable rise of Google's Android OS; the knotty problem of IT security and the UK government's cloud project; how the credit crunch is probably your fault and much more besides.
The E&T podcast: download episode 6 here
Vitali visits the Isle of Man to watch the Zero Emission TT Races and interviews Nick Schoeps, mechanical engineer for the 2011 winning team, US based Motoczysz.
Communications designers grapple with material choices 
The pressure to keep improving the performance and efficiency of communications hardware is forcing chip designers to consider new materials.
Graphene devices could speed comms
A new class of devices built using a special form of carbon could transform the communications industry.
ID access management's cloud challenge
With users accessing systems from ever more obscure points of entry, how do you keep control of access privileges? We look at the software that may have the answer.
G-cloud: government runs into trouble
The UK Cabinet Office thinks that cloud computing can deliver cost savings to public sector IT expenditure; but insourcing outsourcing is throwing up some dilemmas.
Nuclear power? Nein Danke
Germany’s decison to ditch nuclear power could lead to power cuts, higher bills and missed carbon targets. But it could also make the nation the renewables capital of the world.
Google's Android well embedded
The Android operating system is becoming a major player in embedded systems – but does developer Google even care?
Interview: Helga Nowotny, ERC President
What motivates Helga Nowotny, president of the European Research Council, into her sixth decade of encouragement for engineers to be adventurous in their research?
Classic Projects: Stephenson's Rocket
It wasn't the first or the most important steam locomotive, but Stephenson's Rocket has become an undisputed engineering classic.
How Toyota fought back from the brink
A series of highly publicised product recalls played havoc with Toyota's performance and reputation. We talk to author Jeffrey Liker, whose new book explains what happened.
Broadband in an age of austerity
Investment in rural broadband access has been protected by the government, to encourage ISPs to promote growth in areas that desperately need it.
Digital animation: moving stories
Beyond the CGI-rich Hollywood blockbusters thrives a world of digital animation that manages to produce eye-catching results with limited IT resources.
Keeping the phones ringing
The advent of next-generation access networks is changing the way our phones work. We talk to the people in charge of keeping them ringing.
TV FC
Ahead of IBC 2011, the first of two features on broadcast markets looks at how teams are now using the technology directly.
High-speed rail expansion
With oil prices soaring and emissions targets looming, a new age for the railways looks set to pick up pace as high-speed rail accelerates around the globe.
Carmaker thrives in Indian hands
Two years ago, not many companies would have invested in high-end carmaker Jaguar Land Rover. Now Tata Motors is seeing its bold takeover pay off.
The start of the line
The rail industry is adopting the 'lean manufacturing' techniques pioneered by the automotive industry. E&T visits Bombardier Trains' site at Derby to see exactly how.
Data Protection and Privacy Issues
Should modern society adapt to digital reality? We look at the issues, and canvas the opinion of two key government supremos.
Taiwan brands full steam ahead
Taiwan, The Republic of China was capitalist long before Beijing embraced free enterprise – so can the mainland learn from its diminutive companion?
PhotoEssay
As Germany announces the withdrawal of all nuclear power from its grid, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is suspected of acting on motives other than nuclear safety.
Photo Competition: Can you tell what it is?
Your chance to win a prize by simply guessing what the role of our photo competition winner is. We'll give you a clue: it's in engineering.
New life for management learning
The European Institute for Industrial Leadership is breathing new life into management learning, says its executive director, Steve Price.
Infrastructure cyber attack threat grows
Despite high-profile attacks, there is still a lack of IT security in key public infrastructure. We ask if it will take a major meltdown to prompt governments to take action.
'We should treat money like energy...'
We delve into Neuroeconomics to find the true cause of the credit crunch and ask if we should start treating money as a valuable commodity...
Isle of Man re-engineers its economy
As the UK and Irish economies threaten to sink without trace, the Isle of Man is getting along nicely - and even has room for a Space industry. E&T says 'fastyr mie' to the Isle of Man.
Shale gas should be left where it is
The UK mustn't follow the US's 'Wild West' approach to tapping unexploited reserves of fossil fuels.
For and Against: Should machines have rights?
For
Robots with human brain cells incorporated are entitled to rights
Expert in cybernetics
Kevin Warwick Profile
Professor Kevin Warwick is one of the world's leading experts in cybernetics. Based at the University of Reading, he has written several science books about the future of robotics. His latest, 'Artificial Intelligence: the Basics', will be published in September.
Against
Robots with human brain cells incorporated aren't entitled to rights
Radio presenter and lecturer
Gareth Mitchell Profile
Gareth Mitchell is presenter of the BBC technology radio programme Click, and lecturer in science and communications at Imperial College, London. He is also a regular contributor to BBC Focus magazine.
This house believes robots using human brain cells are entitled to rights
Solar powered and always accurate thanks to it's GPS receiver
A portable scanner that fits easily in your luggage
Garmin's GPS-tracking watch now has a touchscreen
A standard digital SLR with a whole bunch of tricks
The first home cinema hi-fi receiver with built in Spotify
Catch up with your favourite programs on your iPhone or iPad anywhere in the world
Latest Issue
"Africa is abundant with engineering opportunity. We look at some of the projects and the problems."
News
Most viewed
From forums
- UK just six hours from running out of gas in March [09:02 pm 24/05/13]
- Ideas for a final year university project [05:55 pm 24/05/13]
- Fourth Generation Nuclear: Molten Salt Reactors [10:39 am 24/05/13]
- LED bulb efficiency - its all about the drivers not the LEDs? [09:52 am 24/05/13]
- Marketing from Engineers' perspective [02:18 am 24/05/13]
Subscribe
Choose the way you would like to access the latest news and developments in your field.
