VOL 293 NO 7746
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NEWS
5 COMMENT: On behalf of the UK auto sector, The
Engineer makes the plea to those who view it as a
national embarrassment — cheer up please
6 THE BIG PICTURE: Two pages of news and
innovation from around the world
8 Pressure control system could help water companies
meet leakage reduction targets
9 Map-matching algorithms are being developed to
improve satellite navigation systems
10 Portable screening technology could make coeliac
disease monitoring faster and easier
11 UK universities seek new technique for handling
nanoparticles in drug processing
12 Wireless monitoring system aims to predict diabetics’
blood glucose levels in advance
14 3D measuring system aims to detect malignant
melanomas without invasive treatment
16 Prodrive develops control technology designed to
improve starting in extreme cold
FEATURES
NEWS 8
INTERVIEW 32
22 TOP MARQUES: Although many of our famous
brands are now foreign-owned, the UK remains a
world-leading producer, designer and innovator for
the automotive industry
32 INTERVIEW: Top Gear’s James May believes real
engineering innovation is to be found in People’s Cars
rather than the supercars
FOR THE LATEST NEWS GO TO www.theengineer.co.uk
the EnGIneeR 21 APRIL–4 MAY 2008 3
FutuRe
of automotive technology
The world’s largest online resource for engineering product news www.engineeringtalk.com
PRODUCTION ENGINEERING
35 INSPIRED THINKING: Injection moulding technology
could enable electronic circuits to be embedded
directly into car bumpers and roofs
36 MADE TO MEASURE: EU project sets out to help
revolutionise UK car industry with initiative to build a
vehicle to order in less than a week
38 HEART OF GLASS: UK engineers develop injection
moulded, glass-fibre reinforced plastic ‘electro-bike’
for commuters
40 MANAGING TECHNOLOGY: The UK motor industry is
thriving, but to remain a key global player we must
develop a more strategic approach, says Paul Everitt
42 PLAN AHEAD: The demand for greater profits means
good process control strategies are essential to
manufacturers and producers in all sectors
REGULARS
18 VIEWPOINT: We can use car industry innovation to
make design ideas a reality, says David Hilton
20 LETTERS
30 INSIGHT: F1’s 2009 season could see teams make
use of energy recovery systems to boost acceleration
82 BACKPAGE: This week in history and Prize Crossword
CAREERS
56 Four pages of news, comment and features on the
careers and skills front, including Technology UK
62 JOBS: 20 pages of new opportunities
FEATURE 22
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