Issues

Issue 61

December 2014

  • Issue 61

Applied origami
  • Issue 61

Fusing glass and steel

Quick read

A hand holding a transparent aerogel material.
  • Materials
  • How does that work?
  • Issue 61

Aerogels

Among some of the lightest known solid materials, aerogels, formed by removing liquid from gels, have many uses ranging from catalysts and sensors, to being used on NASA missions.
The strengthened Ashton bridge.
  • Civil & structural
  • Innovation Watch
  • Issue 61

FlexiArch

Arch bridges are strong, durable and require little maintenance. However, very few had been built since the early 1900s until the FlexiArch was developed and launched in 2007. Now, there has been a minor renaissance for this ancient form of construction.
An explosion next to a large ship.
  • Maritime & naval
  • Issue 61

Modelling ships in danger

Stricken ships in danger of breaking up, sinking, capsizing or losing their fuel or cargo need expert help to be rescued. Lloyd’s Register’s Ship Emergency Response Service (SERS) was set up to provide this support.

  • Issue 61

Professor Mark Miodownik FREng - His marvellous materials
Two GPUs resting on top of a keyboard.
  • Software & computer science
  • Issue 61

The rise and rise of GPUs

The technology used to bring 3D video games to the personal computer and to the mobile phone is to take on more computing duties. How have UK companies such as ARM and ImaginationTechnologies contributed to the movement?
A man sitting in a moving car autonomous vehicle, with his hands on his lap.
  • Technology & robotics
  • Mechanical
  • Issue 61

When will cars drive themselves?

There are many claims made about the progress of autonomous vehicles and their imminent arrival on UK roads. What progress has been made and how have measures that have already been implemented increased automation?