BorntoEngineer

SpaceX has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in space exploration with the successful catch of the Super Heavy booster using the "chopsticks" arms of the Mechazilla launch and catch tower. During the fifth flight test of Starship, the world's most powerful launch vehicle, the Super Heavy rocket lifted off from Boca Chica, Texas, and was successfully caught mid-air after a series of complex maneuvers. The Starship spacecraft, powered by six Raptor engines, also completed its ascent into outer space, testing its new heat shield configuration before splashing down in the Indian Ocean. This engineering feat marks a significant step towards SpaceX's goal of carrying crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond, showcasing the future of space travel and exploration.

James Whomsley, a Cheshire-based YouTuber, has achieved an incredible engineering feat by constructing a remote-controlled aircraft carrier made entirely of foam. The 29-year-old, who runs the popular ProjectAir channel, floated his creation on Rudyard Lake in Staffordshire, fulfilling a dream he had held since the age of 12. Whomsley's dedication and ingenuity have earned him two Guinness World Records for his unique project. Despite not excelling in science at school, he hopes his accomplishment will inspire young people to pursue their passions and consider careers in engineering. This remarkable story demonstrates that with perseverance and creativity, anyone can achieve their goals and make a significant impact in their chosen field. Whomsley's aircraft carrier stands as a testament to the power of imagination and the potential for individuals to push the boundaries of what is possible.

The RIBA Stirling Prize, the UK's most prestigious architectural award, has announced its 2024 finalists, with four out of six nominees located in London. The shortlist spans diverse projects, from a small social housing development by an emerging firm to vital transport infrastructure connecting the city. RIBA President Muyiwa Oki guides us through the London contenders, each demonstrating the transformative power of design in shaping our built environment and improving lives. These innovative projects showcase the best of British architecture and its positive impact on communities. Discover the stories behind these remarkable buildings and the visionary architects who brought them to life. As London continues to evolve, these RIBA Stirling Prize finalists stand as testaments to the city's architectural prowess and commitment to creating spaces that uplift and inspire.

YPO, a company owned by 13 local authorities across Yorkshire and the North West, is procuring a £500M framework for civil engineering works. The Dynamic Purchasing System aims to appoint suppliers across 8 lots, covering areas such as road and highway infrastructure, rail transport infrastructure, stormwater management, renewable energies, solar, air transport infrastructure, water and utilities, and geotechnical and land maintenance. The framework is expected to run for four years until 28 October 2028, with the possibility of renewal after three and a half years. Contractors interested in bidding must be able to provide survey, design, supply, project management, installation and/or maintenance services in their respective lots. This significant procurement opportunity spans across the 13 local authorities that own YPO, including Barnsley, Bolton, Bradford, York, Calderdale, Doncaster, Kirklees, Knowsley, North Yorkshire, Rotherham, St Helens, Wakefield, and Wigan councils. The framework aims to streamline civil engineering works and services for these local authorities, promoting efficiency and cost-effectiveness in public sector projects.

Leeds teenagers honored for innovative Lego engineering exhibition celebrating the legacy of local pioneer John Smeaton. Born in 1724, Smeaton attended Leeds Grammar School before becoming a self-taught engineer, instrument maker, and astronomer. Known as the "father of civil engineering," his work encompassed lighthouses, bridges, canals, and a water wheel discovery that helped fuel the industrial revolution. The award-winning exhibition showcases the ingenuity and creativity of these young minds, who used Lego to bring Smeaton's groundbreaking designs to life. It serves as an inspiring testament to the enduring impact of Smeaton's work and the potential of the next generation of engineers and innovators.

Spanish space company PLD Space has unveiled an ambitious new line of next-generation rockets and Europe's first private crew capsule, LINCE. The firm aims to compete with SpaceX and bring Europe into the new space race alongside the US and China. PLD Space successfully launched the suborbital Miura 1 rocket last year and is developing the orbital Miura 5 for a 2025 maiden flight. The company also announced the larger Miura Next rocket, capable of vertical landings and carrying significant payloads to low Earth orbit by 2030. Variants like Miura Next Heavy and Super Heavy will feature additional boosters, enabling launches of heavier payloads to higher orbits, the Moon, and Mars. The LINCE crew capsule, designed to carry astronauts to the ISS and the Moon, is set for initial tests in 2025 and an uncrewed orbital flight in 2030. While PLD Space still has much to prove, its impressive roadmap signals a strong European contender in the rapidly evolving private space industry.

Bentley Motors has launched its 2025 graduate program and industrial placement opportunities. As a world-renowned luxury car manufacturer, Bentley is offering a range of positions across various departments, including Engineering, Manufacturing, Sales and Marketing, and more. These roles provide a unique chance for talented individuals to kickstart their careers at an iconic automotive brand. Successful applicants will work alongside experienced professionals, gaining valuable industry experience and contributing to Bentley's future success. The graduate program is designed to nurture and develop the skills of recent university graduates, while the industrial placements offer hands-on experience for students currently enrolled in undergraduate courses. Both programs aim to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the automotive industry and Bentley's operations. Bentley is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, encouraging applications from individuals with different backgrounds and perspectives. The company values innovation, creativity, and a passion for excellence, which are key to maintaining its position as a leader in the luxury automotive sector. Interested candidates are encouraged to visit Bentley's careers website for more information on the available positions and to submit their applications. Don't miss this opportunity to join one of the most prestigious automotive brands in the world.

Francis Bacon, though not a scientist or mathematician himself, played a pivotal role in shaping the scientific method and modern engineering. Born into a wealthy family, Bacon's education at Cambridge introduced him to Aristotle's work, which he admired but also criticized. Despite a successful political career, Bacon's fall from grace allowed him to focus on his true passion: uncovering truth through scientific investigation. In his groundbreaking work, Novum Organum, Bacon laid out the foundations of the scientific method, emphasizing the importance of experiments, inductive reasoning, and the classification of knowledge. His ideas bridged the gap between engineers and scientists, transforming engineering into the respected discipline it is today. Bacon's influence extended beyond Europe, with his ideas shaping the founding of the American colonies and earning him praise from Thomas Jefferson. Bacon's novel, New Atlantis, envisioned a utopian society built on scientific progress, complete with engineering marvels like skyscrapers, air conditioning, and refrigeration. Ironically, it was his own experiment with refrigeration that led to his untimely death from pneumonia in 1626. Nonetheless, Bacon's legacy lives on as a testament to the power of scientific inquiry and its ability to transform our world.

The UK construction industry is set for growth, driven by data center and airport expansion projects. The government has hailed plans for a £25bn data center and a £1.1bn expansion of Stansted Airport. Other notable developments include the £500m Sweet Street South Bank regeneration, with phase one underway, and the £4.5bn project to protect the River Thames from pollution. However, the industry also faces challenges, such as rising vacancies and wages as the fight for new workers intensifies. Some firms have experienced financial difficulties, with one company's credit rating temporarily affected after a dispute with a supplier. Despite these challenges, the industry remains resilient, with August new construction work rebounding 1.6% after an early summer fall. The industry is also seeing significant investment in future mobility and life sciences projects. Developer Bicester Motion is advancing a future mobility business park, while plans are in place to restart the Regent Quarter life science campus with ISG project team. Overall, the UK construction industry is poised for growth, with significant projects in the pipeline and ongoing investment in key sectors.

Lets recap the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics which has been awarded to John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton for their groundbreaking work on neural networks in the 1980s. While AI may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about physics, the committee recognized the researchers' use of fundamental physics concepts in their work. Hopfield's 1982 paper introduced a single-layer neural network capable of retaining "memories," while Hinton's 1985 paper expanded on this by introducing "hidden units" between input and output layers. These ideas laid the foundation for modern AI systems. The connection between physics and neural networks is bidirectional, with machine learning playing a crucial role in discoveries like the Higgs boson. This year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry also highlighted AI's importance in predicting protein structures. Hopfield and Hinton's continued contributions to the field have earned them numerous accolades, and their influence has inspired new generations of researchers and engineers to push the boundaries of AI and machine learning. #NobelPrize #AI #Physics #MachineLearning #Innovation