How far can engineering skills go? Certainly good engineering can answer questions about how and why things work and can improve the world around us. Some engineers may be limited less by technical challenges and more by communication challenges. However, when this limit is approached as a rational problem, the boundary may be stretched. Happy reading.
Viking vs Samurai?
A scientific mindset can be fruitful in increasing our understanding of unknown behaviour. This analysis is an example of how the fundamentals of engineering can be applied to almost any situation, with a Monte Carlo approach used to model the uncertainties involved.
Mechanical Engineering Magazine, March 2010
What We Have Here, Is a Failure to Communicate
The only message poorly planned presentations may convey is: “my work is very complicated, and I’m a smart guy to be working on something like this.” To communicate effectively, a presenter needs to know what to avoid on Powerpoint and how to focus on informing the audience.
Mechanical Engineering Magazine, February 2011
Launching Engineering for Change: A Design Tool Whose Time Has Come
Many technologies for developing countries are unsuccessful, and are therefore an inefficient use of limited resources. A new website aims to foster collaboration and connect engineers with humanitarian organisations and projects.
Next Billion, January 2011
Surveillance robots know when to hide
Military technology often results in domestic spin-offs. Many of these spin-offs have little connection with the goals of the original research and development program. Perhaps a future product for parents who can’t find a babysitter: a hide-and- seek robot to keep kids occupied for hours.
New Scientist, March 2011