News Spring 2011

President’s column 2 Council news 3 Policy and public affairs 4 Events 6 Public engagement 7 News of Fellows 7 International 8 Research 9 Development 10 Education 10 Obituaries 12 A big year ahead

The arrival of 2011 signalled a year of major development, movement and change for the Academy. On 11 June, the Academy will celebrate its 35th anniversary with a programme that will include two talks for young people by Lord Browne as well as events showcasing engineering to the general public. On 11 July, Lord Browne will step down after five years as President and, subject to the vote of the AGM, Sir John Parker will assume the role in the expectation that he will serve a three-year term. Professor Robert Mair will complete his term as Senior Vice President and Professor Sir William Wakeham will take up that role. Under Lord Browne’s leadership, the Academy has made measurable, significant progress “to position engineering at the heart of society”. The Academy has reported the successful delivery of its objectives in the 2005-2010 strategic plan to enhance national capabilities, recognise excellence, inspire the next generation and lead debate (www.raeng.org.uk/bisreport). The Council is now working on a new plan to ensure that the Academy engages with the challenge of driving economic recovery for the UK through engineering. The Academy’s settlement in the recent Spending Review has set out the organisation’s public funding for the next four years. In line with all the national academies, the grant allocation has been slightly reduced, resulting in programmes that must be delivered more efficiently. The Academy is in the process of realigning its business to meet these new requirements. The Academy has a highly successful track record of adding value to its work through the support of business, industry and other third parties and this partnership working will become even more crucial in the future. In August, the Academy will engage on a major programme to redevelop the headquarters building into a national Forum for Engineering. The development campaign is looking to meet the £6.5 million target and over £5.5 million has already been raised from Fellows, companies, trusts and other generous supporters. The transformed building will open in May 2012 with state of the art facilities for showcasing engineering, debating the issues of the day and engaging the public, especially young people, with the possibilities created by engineering. The government has announced a new major international prize for engineering for which it is seeking to create an endowment fund in partnership with major private sector companies. The Academy is to take forward the project which Lord Browne welcomed as “a stimulus for the ingenuity and endeavour which this Academy was formed 35 years ago to champion.” Chief Executive Philip Greenish said: “As the Academy moves into the next 35 years of its development, Fellows can be proud of the progress that has been made but are no doubt mindful of the size of the challenge ahead. With the leadership, support and engagement of our Fellowship, I am confident that we can achieve even greater things and contribute even more to engineering and the life of the nation.”

Sir John Parker (left) and Lord Browne (right) meet at the Academy in March 2011 © Charles Glover RAEng News Spring 2011 RAEng News Spring 2011

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN New Year Reception Spending review On Monday 17 January, the Academy settlement held the New Year Reception, a popular event on the Academy’s calendar Between September and November that gives Fellows and their partners last year, the Academy was asked an opportunity to socialise after the by the Department of Business, Christmas break. The lecture was Innovation and Skills (BIS) to make followed by both a drinks reception and submissions based upon various a buffet dinner. funding scenarios. At the reception, Professor Sir Richard In a project lead by Dr Mike Howse Feachem KBE FREng, one of the world’s OBE FREng, Academy staff, with most influential public health advisors, support from the Council, had already was awarded the Academy’s prestigious spent several months preparing Sir Frank Whittle Medal. The medal, the best case for sustained public which was presented by Lord Browne, investment in engineering. Last The President addresses the New Year Reception was given in recognition of Sir Richard’s December, BIS announced that the novel, engineering-based approach to Academy’s public funding would managing aid and helping to control reduce by 3% in cash terms over the some of the most virulent diseases. Sir Richard Feachem delivered the New four-year spending review period Year Lecture which outlined his ‘bold aid and on 1 March the Academy lodged In recent weeks, Sir John Parker and challenges. I do not need to convince Engineering is a vital component of our Sir Richard is Professor of Global Health reform’ plan its Delivery Plan (available on the I have been writing to Fellows to ask Fellows of the importance of engineering continued growth and success. at the University of California, San Francisco for your support in helping us to reach to economic growth and quality of Academy’s website) for the next four The Forum for Engineering will be a (UCSF) and at Berkeley, as well as Executive Director of UCSF Global Health our fundraising target of £6.5 million to life: however, that message still needs years. remarkable legacy from the Fellowship to Sciences. His work encompasses the control of AIDs, tuberculosis, malaria and create the Forum for Engineering at the broadcasting to a wider spectrum of future generations and I hope that, if you waterborne diseases. A condition of the settlement is that Academy. Thank you to those of you who society, policy makers and the media. The the academy should achieve a 15% have not already done so, you choose to Having received the award, Sir Richard delivered the Academy’s New Year Lecture have already made contributions to this Forum will help us do this. reduction in the cost of administering support this important project. entitled Re-engineering aid – a bold agenda for the 21st century. He spoke of his belief very deserving appeal. BIS funded programmes. The potential of this magnificently that aid distribution in the world’s poorest countries needs a major rethink. It was at this time last year that we located building is huge but, as many The Academy is realigning its business publicly launched the appeal as part of you know, its internal spaces are in During the lecture, Sir Richard’s lecture introduced the audience to his ideas for a new to deliver this. There are a number of of the making things better campaign. poor condition and not well configured model for aid. The plan recommended a new focus on non-development aid, a need notable impacts that flow from the In spite of the challenge of doing so for modern needs. The planned to innovate financially, a scaling up of aid to global public goods, support for very settlement: at a time of great national economic works, mainly to the public spaces small countries and the fostering of the next generation of leaders. uncertainty, it has been remarkably on the ground and first floors, are Sir Richard’s lecture is covered in more detail in issue 46 of Ingenia. The lecture is also • The following programmes either successful. Significant gifts have been wholly focused on making the visitor available to view online at www.raeng.tv close immediately or phase out over made by leading engineering companies experience a positive one. The planned the next four years: Global Research such as National Grid plc and Rolls-Royce improvements include a 170 seat lecture Awards, Newton International Group plc; from trusts and foundations, theatre, four major interconnecting Fellowships and International Travel Peter Richard Head OBE - Director, such as the Wolfson Foundation; and rooms for exhibitions and meetings and New Year Honours Awards. from individuals including a substantial necessary facilities for larger numbers Arup. For services to civil engineering and to the environment. anonymous gift and a generous of visitors. A whole range of activities is Congratulations to the following Fellows • Funding headroom created by donation from the Ruler of Sharjah. We being planned to use the new spaces in of the Academy who were recognised in Order of the British Empire closing programmes above will be now stand within £1 million of the final ways that will bring engineering to life, Meetings and visitors the New Year Honours list: Officers of the Order of the British directed to three new programmes: target and are on the cusp of being able excite and inspire the next generation, The President recently met: Empire - OBE Engineering Enterprise Fellowships, to begin building work on the project, debate the issues of the day and Order of the Bath Leading Diversity in Engineering and planned for August 2011. contribute to national policy. Professor Christopher Robin Lowe - David Edwards Companion of the Order of the Bath Professor of Biotechnology, University of Professional Leadership. It was entirely thanks to the generosity This is a pivotal moment in the history Chief Executive, Engineering - CB Cambridge. For services to science. Construction Industry Training Board • The headroom will also allow an of Fellows that, in 2007, we were able to of the Academy. As we celebrate our Professor Brian Stanley Collins - Chief Professor Geoffrey Railton Tomlinson - increase in funding to research and move to 3 Carlton House Terrace. Our first 35 years and look to the future Scientific Adviser, Department for as a Fellowship, we have much to Massimo Fontolan Professor of Engineering Dynamics, education programmes: Research new building has enabled the Academy Business, Innovation and Skills. to achieve much and increase our celebrate. At the New Fellows’ Dinner last Vice President, Commercial North University of Sheffield. For services to Chairs and Senior Research Fellows, impact and influence as the UK’s national November, HRH Prince Philip, as Senior Atlantic, Saipem Ltd Order of the British Empire technology. Research Fellows, Research Chairs in academy for engineering. We will use Fellow, reflected on how pleased he is to Commanders of the Order of the Order of the British Empire Emerging Technologies and Visiting the new Forum for Engineering to raise have been involved in the founding of Mark Malone British Empire - CBE Member of the Order of the British Professors. the profile of our profession, to engage our Fellowship and to support the work Chief Executive, Svitzer UK Professor John Fisher - Professor of Empire - MBE the public, especially young people, and of the Academy. With Fellows’ continued Read the spending review settlement Mechanical Engineering and Deputy enhance the way we bring engineering support, we will achieve a lot more in the Chris Morgan Professor Stuart William Cameron - at www.raeng.org.uk/bisreport Vice-Chancellor, University of Leeds. For expertise to bear on our world’s many next 35 years and I believe the Forum for Chief Executive Officer, RES Offshore Chief Engineer, Doosan Babcock. For services to biomedical engineering. services to mechanical engineering.

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POLICY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS as global positioning systems (GPS). The Academy’s report looks at security Academy warns of The range of applications using the awareness and recommends that critical The Academy in ‘Question Time’ with GNSS system flaws technology is now so broad that, without services include GNSS vulnerabilities Parliament Andrew Miller MP adequate independent backup, signal in their risk register and that these The Academy has met and briefed a failure or interference could potentially are reviewed regularly and mitigated On 14 February, the Academy hosted number of parliamentarians on aspects affect safety systems and other critical effectively. The Academy also suggested a session for PolicyNet on Science and of engineering, including Chi Onwurah, parts of the economy. policy solutions including the closing Engineering in the House. Imran Khan, MP for Newcastle Central and Shadow of a legal loophole that allows the Director of the Campaign for Science The report focuses on our increasing Minister for Innovation and Science, import, advertisement and possession and Engineering, spent an hour in a reliance on global navigation satellite Andrew Miller MP for Ellesmere Port of jamming devices. The UK government ‘Question Time’ style conversation with systems (GNSS) and the current limited and Neston and Chair of Science and could trial the deliberate jamming of Andrew Miller MP, Chair of the House of use of GNSS-independent backups for Technology committee, Esther McVey signals for a limited period to allow users Commons Science and Technology positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) MP for Wirral West, Stephen Mosley MP to evaluate the impact of the loss of PNT Select Committee. data. The vulnerabilities of GNSS to for City of Chester, Dr Alan Whitehead deliberate or accidental interference, both data and the effectiveness of their back- MP for Southampton Test and Dr Vince Andrew Miller spoke about the recent man-made (such as jamming) and natural up plans. Cable MP Secretary of State for Business, rule changes in the House, which (such as solar flares) are also highlighted. Building on the Academy’s track record of Innovation and Skills. provide for the election of Chairs for Select Committees and the election of reports receiving extensive interest in the Dr Scott Steedman CBE FREng and Carol GNSS dependency is now widespread members by their own party groups. He Dr Martyn Thomas CBE FREng, who media, over 100 pieces of media coverage Burke FREng, along with Academy staff Andrew Miller MP across the UK. As well as the ubiquitous explained the wider remit and power chaired the study were obtained. These included Sky News members, met Science and Technology satnav, the signals are used by data of Parliamentary Select Committees, and three spots on BBC Radio 4’s Today Committee members on 25 January to networks, financial systems, shipping how members of the science policy programme out of a total of 25 radio discuss the work of the Academy. that Parliament can only act with the The Academy caused a stir in the and air transport, agriculture, railways and television broadcasts, six national community can engage better with the knowledge it has access to. national and international media with and emergency services. The European The Academy is undertaking a pilot newspapers (including the front page Houses of Parliament, along with the the publication of a new report entitled Commission, in its mid-term review of project to raise its profile in Scotland and PolicyNet provides a forum for discussion of Metro) and coverage on at least three importance of international linkages Global Navigation Space Systems: reliance the European satellite radio navigation ensure that engineers are recognised on aspects of policy making within continents. for high level science and engineering and vulnerabilities, published on 8 March. programmes (18 January 2011), estimated as a source of expertise on all policy government, parliament and other research. The report highlighted that society may that an €800 billion chunk of the issues with an engineering dimension. A organisations. It also provides networking Download the report at already be dangerously over-reliant on European economy is already dependent number of Fellows are working to plan a When asked if there is enough science opportunities for policy staff from a range www.raeng.org.uk/gnss satellite radio navigation systems such on GNSS. programme of events in partnership with and engineering in the House and of (mostly scientific) organisations such as a range of Scottish organisations. how the science and engineering policy learned societies, research councils and Offshore wind Academy hosts community can engage better with think tanks. Along with February’s guests, The Royal Academy Manufacturing Parliamentarians, he asked the community the group has had a range of topics and roundtable sports engineering of Engineering to engage more frequently with their speakers in the past that have included As Britain’s national academy for engineering, we bring together the country’s local MP, explaining that better informing National Statistician, Jil Matheson and a On 11 March, the Academy hosted a most eminent engineers from all disciplines to promote excellence in the summit conference science, art and practice of engineering. Our strategic priorities are to enhance the UK’s engineeringUK Focus capabilities, for Biomedical to celebrate excellence Engineering and inspire the next the House is a two-way conversation and special Christmas panel. roundtable discussion on the offshore generation, and to lead debate by guiding informed thinking and influencing public policy.Sports Engineering Conference On 2 March, a manufacturing summit wind supply chain, primarily for Sports science and engineering in the UK The Academy’s work programmes are driven by three strategic priorities, each sponsored by member organisations of which Chair:provides a key contribution to a strong and vibrant engineering representatives of offshore industries have vital roles to play in the success of sector andProfessor to the Lionelhealth Tarassenko and wealth FREng of society. between infrastructure sectors and the Thursday 24 March 2011 in the Engineering the Future alliance 9.30am to 4.00pm Infrastructure, including major large developer Enhancing national capabilities potential for failure in one sector to British athletes. This includes identifying high Venue: was held at Institution of Mechanical 3 Carlton House Terrace companies and SMEs. National policy sees performance technology across a range London SW1Y 5DG Engineers. The summit attracted engineering and affect other sectors adversely. One of the offshore wind playing an important role of sports and providing specialist support 140 engineers from a wide variety of main conclusions of the report was that in helping the UK reach its challenging services in physiology, nutrition, strength manufacturing sectors. climate change– engineers need a new strategy to stop renewable energy targets for 2020. and conditioning to ensure British athletes ensuring services in widespread infrastructure failure owing Mark Prisk, Minister of State for Business to climate change. Increased government support for are at the top of their game come 27 July 2012. and Enterprise, opened the summit with an uncertain future offshore wind has so far ensured that a keynote talk setting out the direction of The launch event was chaired by important projects have stayed on With this in mind, the Academy’s special government policy. The 8 February saw the launch of the Professor Brian Collins FREng, Chief course. However, there is now a growing interest group, the UK Focus for Biomedical latest Engineering the Future report on Scientific Advisor for BIS and the recognition that engineering firms in Engineering, hosted a conference on sports Issues discussed at the summit ranged Infrastructure, engineering and climate Department of Transport. Professor Sir the offshore wind supply chain face engineering at the Academy on 24 March from current government policies change – ensuring services in an uncertain John Beddington FRS, Government Chief bottlenecks that threaten the industry’s that attracted nearly 100 delegates. to finance and reasons for keeping future at the Institution of Engineering and Scientific Advisor gave a key note speech ability to meet targets. manufacturing in the UK despite less Technology. This study was conducted on the threats that UK infrastructure can Professor Lionel Tarassenko FREng, Chair of the UK Focus for Biomedical Engineering attractive tax and incentive frameworks by a number of the Engineering the Future expect to experience. The meeting focused on infrastructure, and Director, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, chaired the than other countries. Improving the scale partners and was commissioned by particularly the development of strategic The Academy’s Senior Vice President, one day event that featured talks on sports technology and innovation, the role of and responsiveness of the skills pipeline DEFRA to feed into the UK’s first National seaports into hubs for the offshore wind Professor Robert Mair FREng, addressed sports science in preparing British Olympians, modelling performance and sensors for also featured prominently. Infrastructure Plan to be published later supply chain, and the problem of ensuring the launch meeting and highlighted monitoring elite athletes. this year. an adequate supply of skilled workers. The The summit’s panel included Philip key findings of the report. Professor meeting was chaired by Lord Browne and Speakers included Professor Michael Caine, Dr Scott Drawer, Dr Marco Cardinale, Rutman, Director General, Business, Taking a systems level view of the UK’s Mairs had chaired a working group it is hoped that the conclusions drawn will Professor Steve Haake, Professor Guang Zhong Yang FREng, Professor Chris Cooper Innovation and Skills and Ben Taylor infrastructure and its vulnerabilities that brought all the findings of the be presented to a government minister at and Dr David James. Delegates came from a range of organisations, including from Renishaw plc. IMechE CEO Stephen to climate change effects, the report study together and considered their a parliamentary event in June. physiology departments across the UK, learned societies and the NHS. Tetlow gave the opening addresses. concentrates on the interdependencies interdependencies.

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EVENTS PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Prime Innovators Upcoming events Young people’s fair goes with a Big Bang News of Fellows On 24 September, the Academy hosted Monday 11 April 2011 6:30pm The annual Big Bang John Armitt CBE has been reappointed the first of a short series of Prime Innovator Hinton Lecture and Dinner Fair enables thousands Chair of the Engineering and Physical lectures and welcomed guest speaker Alex Speaker: Bob Dudley, CEO BP of young people, their Sciences Research Council. Burns, CEO of Williams F1. Alex Burns, who Venue: Royal Institution, London teachers and parents is responsible for implementing the group’s Contact: [email protected] to experience the Professor Helen Atkinson has been diversification strategy, gave an insight excitement of science awarded an honorary degree by the into the operational management of the and engineering University of Liège. Monday 6 June 2011 6:30pm Formula1 team. and show the range Alex Burns Academy Awards Dinner of careers available Professor Andrew Blake has been On 19 October, the second Prime Innovator Venue: Guidhall, London through a wide range appointed Managing Director of lecture featured Dr Mike Lynch OBE FREng, CEO of Autonomy and a technology Contact: [email protected] of exhibits, events, Microsoft Research Cambridge. entrepreneur, who spoke about how to create industry-shifting commercial success workshops and theatre Professor Edward Crawley has won and to encourage and manage innovation. The lecture concluded with some shows. This year, Thursday 16 June 2011 1pm the Gordon Prize for Innovation in thoughts on future directions and lessons for innovation in the UK. the Fair took place Water security: challenges and Engineering. from 10-12 March at At the third lecture, given on 24 November, Professor Sir Martin Sweeting OBE solutions for the UK Students experimenting with the interactive ‘B-Keeper’ exhibit FREng FRS, Executive Chairman of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, delivered a talk Venue: 3 Carlton House Terrace London’s ExCel. Alex Dorrian CBE has become an on ‘Changing the economics of Space’. This drew attention to the huge scope of Contact: katherine.macgregor@raeng. The Academy’s exhibition zone was one of the many interactive activities at the Officier de la Légion d’Honneur. modern ‘microsatellites’ which are able to dramatically reduce the size, cost and org.uk Fair, enabling students of all ages to engage with a new generation of climbing and Professor Roger Goodall has been manufacturing times of small and highly capable satellites, fundamentally changing swimming robots developed by engineering researchers from London Southbank awarded the James Watt International the economics of space. Monday 11 July 2011 University. The robots can perform a number of crucial roles such as checking the Gold Medal. voting 4pm, AGM 5:30pm integrity of aeroplane fuselages or the floors of liquid storage tanks. At the fourth lecture on 24 January, Tristram Carfrae, structural engineer, Principal and AGM Arup Fellow, discussed the characteristics of creative people and how Arup cultivates Visitors to the Academy zone also got the chance to explore ‘B-Keeper’, an interactive Patrick Head has assisted in the drawing Venue: 3 Carlton House Terrace up of new Formula 1 regulations. creativity and innovation within a risk averse context. He referred to some projects Contact: [email protected] drumming experience that demonstrates the real-time musical system being that he helped create, most notably the Beijing National Swimming Centre, also developed by Academy Research Fellowship awardee Andrew Robertson from Queen Dr Michael Lloyd has been was known as the Water Cube, recipient of the 2009 MacRobert Award. Mary, University of London. Monday 11 July 2011 time TBC appointed Chairman of Magnomatics. On 1 February, in the final lecture of the series, the polymer pioneer Professor President’s Valedictory Dinner The finale for the UK’s National Science and Engineering Competition also took place Professor David May has won a lifetime Sir Richard Friend FREng FRS talked about the challenges of introducing radical Venue: RAC, Pall Mall, London at the Fair, which had over 300 student competitors taking part. In addition the award at the Elektra Electronics Industry innovation into the manufacturing environment. Sir Richard laid out how scientific Contact: [email protected] competitors took part in the first ever National Academies balloon debates, run by the Awards. innovation can be developed to have commercial applications, drawing on his Academy and the Royal Society. An engineer, industrialist, scientist and teacher tried experience as co-founder of a trio of university spin out companies – Cambridge Tuesday 12 July 2011 time TBC to make their case and win the students’ vote to stay in a hot air balloon. Alan Mulally has received the 2011 Display Technology, which received the Academy’s McRobert Award in 2002, Plastic Bosch Technology Horizons Award The Royal Academy of Engineering Prize went to four female students from Rugby Automotive Executive of the Year Award. Logic and Eight-19. Presentation Day High School whose project, a detailed research study for international power Sir Peter Williams CBE has had a lecture Venue: 3 Carlton House Terrace company Alstom, was judged to be the one that demonstrated the best application All lectures of the Prime Innovator series are now available to view on the Academy’s theatre at the University of Leicester Contact: [email protected] of engineering principles. The students’ prize included a certificate, £500 and a visit to film website www.raeng.tv named after him. innovative engineering and design company, Expedition Engineering. For more information, visit www.thebigbangfair.co.uk Paul Younger addressed the World Academy Lecture Sustainability Forum in Manaus, Brazil, on Steve Holliday said that the UK On 1 March, Steve Holliday FREng, Group 25 March. cannot underestimate the scale of the Chief Executive of National Grid, delivered engineering challenge that lies ahead the Academy Lecture. He emphasised to organisation. Research organisations which will attempt to meet sustainable the audience that crucial decisions need Public engagement will be encouraged to celebrate energy targets that are “ambitious and Publications received to be made this year in order to deliver their researchers’ successes in public demanding”. He stated that he believed concordat low carbon energy for the UK. Speaking engagement and the new concordat will High Tension by Malcolm Mackley FREng; the efforts to reach these targets would The Royal Academy of Engineering has to a full lecture theatre, Steve Holliday facilitate the sharing of best practice. donated by the author. lead to a renaissance in engineering. signed a new concordat for engaging said that the UK faces a pivotal year the public with research, along with the David Willetts MP, Minister for Universities Think Malaysian Act Global – An as decisions loom on replacing critical The audience heard that that the biggest UK’s top research funding bodies. Led and Science, launching the concordat, assets, many of which are now 50 years increase will be in wind power, following autobiography of Ir Lee Yee Cheong; by Research Councils UK, the concordat said: “Engaging people with science old. He explained that the UK needs a plans to to ensure that wind makes donated by the author. aims to create a greater focus on and and engineering has never been new infrastructure that will enable us up 15% of the energy mix by 2020. He help embed public engagement with more important. In an increasingly Vickers’ Master Shipbuilder: Sir Leonard to cut carbon dioxide levels by a third, predicted that gas would also provide research across all disciplines in the technological world, everyone needs to Renshaw by Leslie M Shore; donated by ahead of the 2020 deadline. around a third of the UK’s energy mix by understand the benefits and potential the author. 2030. He made the audience aware that higher education and research sectors. He stressed that enormous investment is concerns around new developments that we are headed for a greater diversity in Commitment to the concordat signals needed in the energy industry over the may affect us all.” The New Harvest: Agricultural Innovation electricity generation, coming from a that the research funders will support next decade, emphasisng that the UK’s in Africa by Professor Calestous Juma more extensive geographic spread. HEIs and research institutes to help them For more information visit legislation and regulation needs to be HonFREng FRS; donated by the author. Steve Holliday FREng implement the concordat across their www.rcuk.ac.uk/per/Pages/Concordat attractive for global players to invest. The lecture can be viewed at www.raeng.tv

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INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH UK and China energy storage workshop Global economy debates Research news On 27 and 28 January, the Academy One new Research Chair and two Senior welcomed a delegation from the Chinese Research Fellowships have recently been Academy of Sciences for a joint workshop appointed. These positions are full-time exploring the science, engineering and appointments in any engineering-related national policy requirements for developing subject, jointly sponsored between the and implementing energy storage Academy and industry. The incumbents technology. The Chinese delegation was led are expected to develop and lead a by Professor Li Jinghai, Vice President of the prestigious research group, the members Chinese Academy of Sciences. of which will be encouraged to publish the results of their research as widely as Professor Richard Williams OBE FREng, possible to gain international recognition from the University of Leeds, chaired the both for themselves and for the group workshop. The aim was to enable delegates in which they are based, consequently from industry, academia and government enhancing the UK’s capabilities. to highlight key strategic needs in energy storage research and identify areas for Professor Neil Hyatt has been appointed bilateral cooperation. to the RAEng/National Nuclear Laboratory Research Chair in Nuclear The Chinese Ambassador, His Excellency Liu Waste Immobilisation Science and Xiaoming, gave a welcome address arguing From left to right: Professor David Payne, Professor Ian Shott, Edward Atkin and Engineering at the University of Sheffield. that the future growth of China lay in green Dr Graeme Reid Professor Hyatt is the Director of the energy and low-carbon development. The delegation from the Chinese Academy of Sciences with their Academy hosts On 22 January, Professor Sir William Wakeham FREng chaired the final debate in the Immobilisation Science Laboratory at He noted that the Chinese government’s Sheffield and his research focuses on recently drafted 12th Five Year Plan includes Academy’s Competing in the Global Economy series, on the motion: “This House believes that the best innovation happens without government intervention”. the design, processing and performance improving and diversifying the energy mix, reforming the nation’s patterns of energy production and keeping energy consumption of glass and ceramic materials for under control. Professor David Payne CBE FREng FRS, supporting the motion, noted that government immobilising nuclear waste. often confused innovation with invention; in fact these were two different processes Two UK Departmental Chief Scientific Advisors also spoke at the workshop. Professor David MacKay FRS and Professor Brian with different requirements. Edward Atkin, the entrepreneur behind the market- Dr Stephen Neethling has been Collins CB FREng outlined the UK’s national energy strategy. Other speakers from the UK included representatives from Imperial leading Avent range of baby products, argued passionately that collective decision appointed as the RAEng/Rio Tinto Senior College London, National Grid and the Energy Technologies Institute, who discussed current storage capacity and exchanged making was simply incompatible with innovative behaviour. Research Fellow in Heap and In-Situ ideas for future plans with some of China’s top engineers and scientists working in the energy field. Leaching at Imperial College, with Rio Opposing the motion, Ian Shott CBE FREng and Dr Graeme Reid from the Department Professor Williams commented that the ability to store energy was a critical step in enabling the effective use of intermittent Tinto contributing £6 million over the for Business, Innovation and Skills, argued that government had a role in helping renewable energy sources and in developing a versatile grid to supply electrical power across the nation. He added that more effort five year Fellowship. Dr Neethling has the UK raise its innovation performance, but that role should focus on creating a was needed in order to address the challenges identified, both in terms of energy security and the ability of the UK to deliver a low worked extensively on multi-phase flow supportive environment where innovation could flourish. carbon future. behaviour, with particular application to Following a lively discussion session, the motion was defeated by a margin of two to the modelling of froths in flotation cells, A UK delegation will visit China in May to attend the return workshop and build on the links established. one. Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow Minister for Innovation and Science, who spoke from which are widely used as a separation the floor at the debate, wrote in the New Scientist that the Academy had “assembled an technology in the minerals industry. impressive mix of engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs, public servants and interested The RAEng/Dstl Senior Research ERA International Lecture observers; as well as four speakers who clearly considered it their job to provoke as Fellowship in Multiscale Composite On 31 January, Anne Lauvergeon, CEO of the French nuclear and renewable energy well as debate.” Armour Design has been awarded to conglomerate AREVA, addressed an audience of senior engineers, policymakers, This was the last in a series of three debates which highlighted issues affecting the Dr Lorenzo Iannucci at Imperial College. business people and students at the Academy’s ERA International Lecture, held at UK’s ability to compete in a rapidly changing global environment. Previous debates The research will aim to improve the Royal Society of Medicine. The event was chaired by the Academy’s Honorary in the series focused on the economic impact of foreign ownership of UK companies, the modelling of high performance Secretary for International Activities, Professor Sir William Wakeham FREng. and the role of the manufacturing sector in rebalancing the economy. A report of the composite materials in a wide range of protective configurations, including Anne Lauvergeon praised the UK’s recent “pragmatic” energy market reforms, which entire series of debates will be published shortly. severe loadings such as ballistic impacts she thought served as a model for other European governments, and gave a strong The Academy intends to hold a second series of debates on the broad theme of and high temperatures, so increasing the endorsement of nuclear energy as part of the “past, present and future” of the UK’s natural resources in early summer 2011. energy mix – as long as the right investments were made in skills and high quality effectiveness of personnel protection public dialogue. She also called for UK partners to share the benefits of AREVA’s new- methods. Euro-CASE annual conference, which was hosted in Berlin build programme and said that the construction of nuclear power stations in the UK The Academy is delighted to announce by the German national academy of would help to regenerate an entire industry, potentially creating thousands of jobs for that it will be able to fund one more conference engineering, acatech. Euro-CASE, the highly qualified people. ten year Research Chair in Emerging On 2 December, Professor Sir William umbrella group for European engineering Technologies. Invitations for applications In making the case for nuclear power, Anne Lauvergeon also drew attention to the Wakeham FREng, Honorary Secretary academies, plans to hold its next annual will be posted on our website in May. often overlooked economic impact of the industry, both through its role in enhancing for International Activities, took part conference in Madrid in November the competitiveness of other sectors, and through its own investment in innovation. in a panel discussion on innovation on the topic of ‘Water Management, See www.raeng.org.uk/research at the third annual Euro-CASE Agriculture and the Food Industry’. Anne Lauvergeon, CEO of AREVA View the lecture on www.raeng.tv

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DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION Leading companies New bob skeleton teaching resource National Higher Illustrating support the Forum Education STEM engineering in the for Engineering programme update classroom The Academy is pleased to announce On 16 September, the Academy, in The Academy’s partnership with BAE the support of National Grid plc and collaboration with the Higher Education Systems continues to be fruitful with Rolls-Royce Group plc for the Forum for Academy Engineering Subject Centre, the production of a collection of 16 Engineering. Each company has donated organised and hosted Engineering engineering and technology based a significant charitable gift which the graduates for industry: enhancing effective activities for use by teachers and Academy wishes to acknowledge by practice in employer engagement. STEM Ambassadors. naming two of the four large public The Academy and STEMNET (the rooms on the ground floor the National The main focus of the event was to bring science, technology, engineering Grid Room and the Rolls-Royce Room together employers and engineering and mathematics network) together respectively. academics to develop ideas to build effective collaboration in engineering have produced the activities which Sarah Philbrick, the Academy’s Director degree programmes. A total of 51 have been tried and tested by of Development, said: “These gifts are delegates drawn from both industry and schools. They provide teachers extremely helpful to the Academy’s and engineering ambassadors Making plastic from milk in the ‘Milking it’ The winning team from Kelmscott School with their poster and scale-model sled higher education institutions attended. mission and objectives. They demonstrate with support and activity ideas for activity which looks at materials engineering The Academy also organised and hosted engaging, inspiring and exciting the importance that global organisations The Royal Academy of Engineering judged by Kelvin Davies from BAE an Engineering activities interim seminar engineering sessions with titles such as Milking it which makes plastic from milk and place on engineering and the has been working in partnership with Systems, a member of the team which and launch event on 18 January. This was looks at materials engineering, Smart Muscle which looks at the use of smart materials contribution of engineering to the health BAE Systems to produce a suite of designed Amy William’s gold medal attended by 69 delegates from across and Moving House which looks at structural engineering. and well-being of our society. The rooms engineering resources for schools that winning sled at the 2010 Winter England and Wales. will be used for engaging exhibitions will help teachers illustrate the role Olympics, and other BAE Systems All the activities portray engineering in a societal context helping to engage girls and displays, holding events and hosting of engineering in society and how representatives. For more information on the National as well as boys and by using these resources pupils will learn about the roles of meetings.” She added: “We are very engineers shape and improve our lives. Higher Education STEM Programme, visit The winning team consisted of three engineers, what they create and how their ideas shape our world and improve grateful for the support of all those who One of these is a teaching and learning www.thelep.org.uk/national girls who not only built an excellent sled our lives. helped us in achieving these gifts.” resource that brings together science, but also showed great understanding technology, engineering and maths to These diverse resources offer interactive, hands on ideas and are now available to The support for the Forum for of the mathematics behind the sport. help pupils answer the question: Athlete download at www.raeng.org.uk/eenpresources Engineering builds on the companies’ Kelmscott’s STEM club leader Adrian Improving careers or machine – which is more important in long history of working with young Stannard said: “The competition was the the bob skeleton event? advice people to encourage their involvement in culmination of lots of hard work. Both Engineering Further Education engineering and skills development. The Bob skeleton is an extreme winter sport the athlete and machine are crucial to The UK’s engineering profession has The Academy’s Engineering Further Education (EFE) project has continued to gather Forum will provide a vehicle to continue in which athletes slide head-first down success and, by working on the project, warned that engineering is almost pace since its launch in September 2010. The project, which will run for three and expand on these activities. an ice covered track on a sled that holds all the teams came to this conclusion.” invisible to young people because academic years and is funded by BP plc, is working to support teaching and learning them just centimetres from the ground. of inadequate careers information. Kelvin Davies said: “The sport of bob in further education colleges through e-mentoring, contextualised maths support and The aim of the sport is to get to the Education for Engineering (E4E), a group skeleton provides all the key ingredients continuing professional development (CPD) for practitioners. bottom of the track in the quickest time. made up of 39 UK engineering bodies, to help students learn the principles of Lasting partnership It is an event that combines engineering, has issued a policy statement providing Over the summer of 2010, some 38 engineering mentors from industry were recruited to science and engineering, and we have mathematical and scientific knowledge recommendations to government on the new Bright Links Engineering e-mentoring website (www.brightlinksengineering.com) with IBM been thrilled at the results at Kelmscott. to prepare athletes and create the how the careers system in England can and these are currently supporting more than 60 students from five pilot colleges. Perhaps our engineers will even learn a Building on strong historical ties, sleds and equipment needed. In order be improved to ensure young people Following the pilot, the e-mentoring scheme will now be extended to include thing or two from the students to help involvement of Academy Fellows at IBM to answer the question: ‘athlete or are fully informed about the breadth students from a further eight colleges by the end of March 2011. In addition to the us further improve the design of sleds in and many shared areas of work and machine?’, students must identify the of engineering career opportunities student recruitment, new further education specific activities and resources have also the future”. objectives, the Academy and IBM have factors that influence the performance available to them. been added to the website. initiated a new partnership. of the bob skeleton and then investigate This resource is part of a much bigger The statement makes a series of Mathematics in Education and Industry, an independent UK curriculum development each one through practical, mathematical The partnership will initially focus on project supported by a generous gift recommendations to improve the way body, has now completed the first six of a total of 33 mathematics resources. The and scientific activities. working together on activities around from BAE Systems. The Engineering that careers education, advice and resources are guidelines to support teaching and learning on Level 3 (A-level Engagement Project, aims to widen infrastructure and sustainability, with The resource was trialled at Kelmscott guidance is delivered and provided in equivalent) engineering courses and illustrate mathematics within an engineering participation in engineering and IBM hosting it’s Smarter Planet workshop School, an East London school in schools and colleges. context. The resources are currently being trialled in a number of colleges before technology by supporting teaching and with Infrastructure UK at 3 Carlton Walthamstow. Over a four week period being rolled out over the coming months. The first of ten resources to support the learning in these areas. The bob resource Alongside this advice, the engineering House Terrace on 30 March. Other joint members of the school’s STEM Club associated Mathematics for Engineering unit of the course has also will now be promoted to teachers across profession is committed to working activities are being planned for the designed and built their own sleds been completed coming months. the UK and beyond. A follow up to this together in coordinated activities to and on 1 March they competed in Two colleges in England, one in the East Midlands and one in Yorkshire and Humber, resource based around the topic of support the national careers information, “Special thanks are due to Dr Ian Nussey teams to see who had engineered have agreed to act as Regional CPD Champion Colleges and have signed up to an disaster recovery will be available for advice and guidance services. OBE FREng for all his efforts in making the most accurate scale-model sled, operational plan to deliver the first stage of the CPD model to colleges within their schools towards the end of the year. this possible,” said Sarah Philbrick, using the mathematics they had learnt The policy statement can be read at region. Discussions are also taking place with colleges in the West Midlands and Director of Development. on the project. The competition was See www.raeng.org.uk/bobresource www.educationforengineering.org.uk the North West.

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Proactive Membership Committee Obituaries Last year saw the highest number of new Fellows elected to the Academy since 1988 Mr Donald Roy Berridge CBE FREng and the largest proportion of new Fellows from industry backgrounds since 1998. The died aged 88 on 3 January 2011. Before intake also saw the highest number of women Fellows elected in a year. his retirement he was Chairman, South of Scotland Electricity Board. Much of the credit for these achievements must go to the members of the Proactive Membership Committee and all the Fellows who have worked with the Dr John Clifford Chapman FREng died Committee to sustain the quantity and quality of nominations from diverse sectors aged 87 on 17 February 2011. Before his of engineering. retirement he was a Visiting Professor at Imperial College London and Group In order to maintain and build momentum, there is an urgent need for more Fellows Technical Director at George Wimpey plc. to identify, nominate and assess candidates, especially those who by the nature of their work are relatively unknown to the Fellowship. Professor Sir Bernard Crossland CBE FREng FRS died aged 87 on 17 The Academy’s online nominations system is now open and can be accessed at January 2011. At the time of his death http://private.raeng.org.uk/private/fellows/nominations/ or, alternatively, Fellows may he was Emeritus Professor of Mechanical use a pdf nomination form, available on request. Engineering, The Queen’s University of If you would like advice or assistance in nominating or simply to talk about someone Belfast. you have in mind as a possible candidate, please contact the Proactive Membership Professor Douglas Faulkner FREng Committee Chair, Nigel Guild at [email protected] or Fellowship Manager, Chris died aged 82 on the 13 February 2011. Coulter at [email protected] or 020 7766 0687. Before his retirement he was Emeritus Professor of Naval Architecture and Council nominations Lord Browne at Ocean Engineering, University of Glasgow. The Academy would like to remind Imperial College Fellows that they have the option of On 15 March, Lord Browne spoke to an Mr Harry Ronald Hewitt FREng died nominating candidates for election to invited audience of over 100 engineering aged 90 on 10 March 2011. Before his the Council either by post or online by undergraduates and programme retirement he was Chairman of Johnson logging onto the private area of the directors as part of Imperial College Matthey plc. Academy’s website. The same options London’s Engineering Impact lecture Dr Alfred Kennedy CBE FREng died will be subsequently offered to Fellows series. This set of talks give engineering aged 89 on 6 January 2011. Before his for voting on the nominated candidates undergraduates at the university the retirement he was Director of Research at to Council. opportunity to hear leaders from in the Delta Group plc. The Council nomination and election world of business and engineering. Dr Peter John Nevitt FREng died process is an important part of the Lord Browne’s lecture took the Academy’s aged 78 on 10 January 2011. Before Academy’s governance and Fellows ‘Engineering at the heart of society’ as his retirement he was Director, Truck are urged to participate by whatever its theme. His talk covered the need to Operations for Ford of Europe. method suits them. However, the online create an “innovation economy”, the option does have the advantage to need for business and universities to Dr John Parnaby CBE FREng died aged the Academy of a significant saving in work more closely together and future 73 on 5 January 2011. At the time of his administrative effort and cost. energy systems. In a question and death he was Honorary Treasurer, Aston answer session, he was asked about University and Chairman of BPSE Ltd, Staff news university tuition fees, his own career and AMCHEM Ltd and Aston Academy of Life Sciences Ltd. Ed Holmes has joined the Academy his work with the Academy on inspiring on a six month contract as Press and the next engineering generation of Professor John Richardson OBE FREng Communications Officer. Previously he engineers. Read more at http://tinyurl. died aged 90 on 4 January 2011. At was Press Officer at Skillsmart Retail. com/6jagfbv the time of his death he was Emeritus Professor of Chemical Engineering, Usman Akram has left the Academy Newsletter contact University of Wales, Swansea. as ELA Scheme Coordinator and [email protected] or telephone joined Spires Engineering as a design www.raeng.org.uk/appreciation 020 7766 0645. consultant.

News Spring 2011 – printed on 100% recycled paper

Published by The Royal Academy of Engineering The Royal Academy of Engineering 3 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5DG promotes excellence in the science, Tel: 020 7766 0600 Fax: 020 7930 1549 www.raeng.org.uk art and practice of engineering. Edited and designed by Juliet Benning Registered charity number 293074

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