A leap into quantum computing: research from Stanford University details how huge amounts of information could be processed by a ‘supercomputer’ that uses light
engineering
Metamaterials with “pen and ink”
Andrew McMahon looks at a new optical metamaterial
Changing ourselves
From hammerstones to biotechnology: Lizzie Norris looks at the engineering that has helped us to increase our lifespan and improve our quality of life.
Is innovation really benefitting society?
“We need a more open dialogue between engineers and politicians, and an education system that trains future generations to question.” Nino Mancino attended a talk by the late Tony Benn at Imperial College 10 years ago and reported in I, Science Issue 1.
Focus on the Positive
Five researchers go all out to persuade the audience their project is the one worth funding …
Antibiotic resistance and more
Themes of the last fortnight have been antibiotic resistance and road building in the Amazon …
Imperial Hackspace
A new Hackspace started by Imperial College’s Mechanical Engineering department enables ‘Do-It-Yourself’ enthusiasts to pool resources …
Illuminating materials science
Imperial College PhD student Zoltan Hiezl describes his experiences in the field of materials science …
Pisa Cake
Earlier this year, Imperial College Professor, John Burland travelled to Italy to celebrate the 20th anniversary of a project that prevented the Leaning Tower of Pisa from collapsing. Professor Burland worked as part of a 14 member committee charged with stabilising the tower, which began to develop its characteristic lean after construction progressed to the second […]
Political Reception
Last week, I travelled to UCL to meet Imran Khan, head of CaSE. Imran is an alumnus of the Imperial College Science Communication MSc course and was previously a researcher for former Liberal Democrat MP Dr Evan Harris. As Director of CaSE, Imran deals with a whole range of issues surrounding science policy. Today, Imran […]
Campaigning
Last week, I travelled to UCL to meet Imran Khan, head of CaSE. Imran is an alumnus of the Imperial College Science Communication MSc course and was previously a researcher for former Liberal Democrat MP Dr Evan Harris. As Director of CaSE, Imran deals with a whole range of issues surrounding science policy. Today, Imran […]
CaSE
Last week, I travelled to UCL to meet Imran Khan, head of CaSE. Imran is an alumnus of the Imperial College Science Communication MSc course and was previously a researcher for former Liberal Democrat MP Dr Evan Harris. As Director of CaSE, Imran deals with a whole range of issues surrounding science policy. I caught […]
Designer tissue to heal our hearts
“And how can you mend a broken heart? How can you stop the rain from falling down?” If soul legend Al Green’s song tugged at your heartstrings, you might want to reach out for some tissues now. Tissues can wipe your tears, but if you talk to an engineer, you’ll learn that they can also […]
High as a kite
Big ships are using a brand new means of propulsion – the wind. This isn’t a hark back to romantic days of white sails and stripy jumpers. This time it’s kites. Huge ones. Hundreds of metres in the air. And now scientists can predict exactly how much power the shipping companies will save. Big ships […]
Unseen Heroes of Science
Gideon Mantell (1790–1852) Mantell was a full-time medical doctor, but made some incredible contributions to palaeontology in his spare time. He was the first to correctly identify dinosaur fossils as giant reptiles and to describe Iguanodon, but was constantly fielding criticism from his rival, the founder of the Natural History Museum, Richard Owen. Eminent French […]
Humans = Lemmings?
We may have the technological solutions to help fight environmental change and create a sustainable society, but do we have the right psychology? Anna Perman investigates Aren’t humans clever? We have colonised every corner of the world, and created a global community. It is the large and magnificently organised human brain which has enabled us […]
London’s Swingers
Anne Coleman, photography Jonathan Primmer – April 2010 Introduction We are all familiar with London’s sprawling skyline, or rather river-line. Dotted with structures such as the London Eye, the Millennium Bridge and Canary Wharf, which are all household names, it is hard to picture a London without them. They represent our culture, our […]
Twike Around the Block
19/06/2005 Zoë Corbyn takes a test-drive in a Twike, the world’s most efficient motorised vehicle, and discovers why a pair of mechanical engineering students are hybridising it. “The Twike isn’t actually a car,” Imperial College mechanical engineering lecturer Michael Lamperth says, “it’s a tricycle”. And it is. Perhaps. We agree that `egg on motorcycle wheels’ […]