Newsletter 27

Knowledge is Power

“Knowledge is power” – Sir Francis Bacon. Engineering knowledge can take many different forms. It can be knowledge of why a design or equipment acts as it does, a common goal of Bannerman Consutants’ projects. This knowledge can lead an innovative design, or it may increase efficiency or reliability. It may also help in business decision making and negotiation. Every situation is different, but the principle remains. Happy reading.

Why Wind Operators Need Predictive Analytics Right Now

Why Wind Operators Need Predictive Analytics Right Now

By monitoring key sensors during operation, problems can be spotted and rectified early, sometimes months before they are actual problems. The two principal steps are: an understanding of the critical engineering fundamentals governing operation and logging the right data. “Companies can now make informed decisions to increase…reliability.”

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North American Wind Power, October 2017


Tesla Increased the Range of Its Cars in Hurricane Affected States

Tesla Increased the Range of Its Cars in Hurricane Affected States

Tesla already has the capacity to control the range of their cars from their headquarters. This has the potential for explicit planned obsolescence. Will the business model for electric cars move to hardware-as-a-service or to annual licensing fees, with shutdown for unpaid bills?

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Interesting Engineering, September 2017


Email Is Great But Face-to-Face Meetings Are 34 Times More Successful

Email Is Great But Face-to-Face Meetings Are 34 Times More Successful

Research shows that a personal connection is more effective than using text alone. The difference comes from more than just the nonverbal cues, but it is a matter of trust too. “You should never underestimate the power of face-to-face communication.”

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Entrepreneur, July 2017


Tiny amphibious robot could aid in search and rescue missions

Tiny amphibious robot could aid in search and rescue missions

This tiny robot, for which water surface tension is a significant force, has the capability of launching itself skywards by igniting hydrogen gas it separates from the oxygen in water. Impressive. The innovative design comes from an understanding of the scientific basics.

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IMechE News, October 2017