Power Zone Blogs

WorldSkills competitors show way forward for engineering

06/09/2011

Minister John Hayes talks to Findlay Media about Apprenticeships, craftsmanship and why he is a big fan of WorldSkills London 2011.

Power efficiency is at the top of the agenda, no matter what you’re designing

09/08/2011

Gone are the days when energy consumption was the last thing on a designer's mind. Whether a device plugged into the wall or ran from batteries, the cost of powering it was not a major consideration; if it was considered at all.

Happy New Year UK electronics – now get off your backside?

18/01/2011

In my mind, 2011 brings a wealth of opportunities for "UK electronics", especially for those involved in design and innovation. So far, indicators are looking good and the general climate is one of growing optimism. Even the press are speaking about manufacturing-led recovery (even if they don't really know what manufacturing is).

Richard Noble's Bloodhound Project diary

04/01/2011

Late again – but it's the end of the year and we are going strong! The sheer intensity of the project which is now increasing at a massive pace tends to mean that we are dealing with detail on a minute by minute basis and it takes a break like Christmas to give us a chance to look back to see what has been achieved.

When ignorance really is bliss

26/10/2010

The other day in a conversation with a power engineer I had cause to reflect on how little I really know about power generation. As an electronics engineer I make use of mains power as a matter of course, but I actually know very little about the technology and challenges associated with making it and delivering it to every home in the country. I have a broad understanding, but I certainly couldn't design or build most of the devices necessary to do it.

Speak up for UK electronics design

06/08/2010

Following yesterday's comment that UK designers seem reluctant to promote themselves and the industry, I received an email from Darren Lee, operations at Blueprint Product Design.

What are UK electronic designers up to?

05/08/2010

Thales and Intellect's INSTINCT-Technology Demonstrator 2 project is an ideal opportunity for businesses and academic institutions to showcase emerging security technologies.

Too much inventory?

02/08/2010

Distribution has experienced more than its fair share of pain during the last couple of years. Business plummeted accross the board at the first signs of recession and the sector has been inching its way back since.

Bloodhound SSC's cockpit instruments

26/07/2010

Bloodhound SSC's cockpit instruments:

Richard Noble's Bloodhound Project diary

18/06/2010

I apologise – my web updates always seem to be late and I feel I am letting you down! The reality is that with a team hell bent on achievement, Bloodhound moves at a massive pace and we find ourselves working all hours.

New BEEAs category announced

15/06/2010

A new BEEAs category has been announced - Mechatronic Design of the Year.

Andy Green's Bloodhound Project diary

17/05/2010

We've been talking about the move from 'research programme' to 'build phase' for the last few months. Having proved that we can build the world's first 1000 mph Car, it's time to get on with it. For reasons I can't really explain, the change has happened quite suddenly and noticeably. In military terms, we're now on a 'war footing' – the preparation is largely over and it's time for action!

Manufacturing is a priority

17/05/2010

Now the political horse trading is over, it's time to get on with running the country again and the consensus is the economy - and reducing the country's borrowing - is priority number one.

Hoping for change

06/05/2010

On the day when the country goes to the polls, regardless of our various political views, it must be hoped that whatever government emerges from the process appreciates and supports manufacturing industry.

Web power

30/03/2010

As we head towards April, Christmas seems like a distant memory, but you may recall the not-so-seasonal number one single by Rage Against The Machine. The 2009 Christmas 'message' being, "We've had enough of the string of Christmas number ones produced by Simon Cowell."

Engineering Knowledge Half Life: When is it okay to NOT know the detail?

04/11/2009

While looking online for some training material, I stumbled across a website reporting the half life of engineering knowledge to be around two years. That means that half of what I know today as an engineer will be obsolete in two years' time. And in 10 years, only 3% of today's knowledge will still be relevant!

Lack of support

02/11/2009

Most of my Saturday morning was spent on the telephone. You see, I was trying to cancel a mobile phone account for reasons I won't bore you with.

Communication breakdown

19/10/2009

Last week's Anti Counterfeiting Forum, organised by UKEA and The Electronics Component Supply Network (ECSN) highlighted the huge problems of counterfeiting – but ended on an optimistic note.

Careful with that axe Gordon

18/09/2009

UK electronics needs all the support it can get if it market leaders are to emerge from a costly downturn.

It ain't over 'til it's over

17/08/2009

Japan today declared that it has emerged from the recession with its first quarter of growth for over a year.

Divide and conquer, or…

11/08/2009

Divide and conquer is a valid strategy for solving complex problems. In essence, one seemingly insurmountable problem is broken down into smaller, manageable parts. These parts are solved separately and the results combined to produce an overall solution.

Countering counterfeits

10/08/2009

Counterfeit components are estimated to cost the UK electronics sector as much as £1billion every year.

The UK is a good place to do electronics

24/07/2009

Reviewing the state of the UK electronics industry in the latest issue of New Electronics has been an interesting challenge. But what it has shown is that, despite outward appearances, the UK's electronics industry is alive and well – particularly at the advanced technology end. And some companies wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Backing the future

14/07/2009

One of the things which has been high up the Electronic Leadership Council's (ELC) list of priorities is funding for start ups and small companies.

Engineering Tales

03/06/2009

While studying for my English A' Levels, despite every cell in my body telling me not to, I waited until a week before the exam before embarking on my literary journey through Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.