VOL 293 NO 7751
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NEWS
5 COMMENT: UK can be a leader in the search for
greener technology to power cleaner aircraft
6 Academia and industry combine to design an
energy-saving blueprint for all
7 Making buildings more energy-efficient outstrips
higher-profile technologies, says major study
8 Ultra-hard technology designed for oil and gas
industry to move into commercial aerospace market
9 Constructing future reusable spacecraft from heatresistant
carbides could give them a sharper edge
10 Joint UK project aims to boost silicon solar cell
efficiency by altering rear surface material
12 Portable device that measures vital heart information
claims to be more efficient than rival products
14 Parallel platform brings super-computing power
to the desktop
16 New compound promises whiter teeth with the added
advantage of desensitisation
FEATURES
22 CLEAN MACHINES: European aerospace giants
work together for greener, more efficient planes
28 WEATHERING HEIGHTS: Plans to monitor earth’s
climate better using sensors on commercial aircraft
34 INTERVIEW: Michel Tognini, head of ESA’s astronaut
centre, is to train the next generation of European
space pioneers
FOR THE LATEST NEWS GO TO www.theengineer.co.uk
NEWS 8
NEWS 9
The world’s largest online resource for engineering product news www.engineeringtalk.com
the EnGIneeR 30 JUNE–13 JULY 2008 3
DESIGN ENGINEERING
37 GENTLE TOUCH: UAV landing technology based on
Mars rover design uses parachute and airbag
designed to better protect delicate instrumentation
38 HOT PROSPECT: Converting residual heat from
car exhaust fumes into electricity could cut fuel
consumption and reduce carbon emissions
40 TRAVELLING LIGHT: EU research programme leads
to development of modular carbon fibre tank claimed
to hold more liquid hydrogen at greater pressure
42 MANAGING TECHNOLOGY: A toolkit for designers
aims to ensure that products can be used by people
with a wide range of abilities, says John Clarkson
54 SPECIAL REPORT: Farnborough 2008 preview
REGULARS
18 VIEWPOINT: Universities must remain ‘top-tier’
suppliers of leading-edge aerospace research to
ensure the UK stays competitive, says Mark Lowenberg
20 LETTERS
32 INSIGHT: Gyroplanes are making a comeback,
which has led to one US specialist launching a sleek,
21st century version
86 BACKPAGE: This week in history
and Prize Crossword
CAREERS
FEATURE 22
63 Four pages of the latest news, features and comment
69 JOBS: 17 pages of new opportunities
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