CONTENTS
34
30
3 July 2020 / www.theengineer.co.uk
4 Editor’s Comment
Innovation and investment in low
carbon energy technology will be key to
the UK’s economic future
6 NEWS
Flat battery pack concept opens up
fresh options for EV designers
8 NEWS
Peer-to-peer technology helps drive
workplace social distancing
9 NEWS
Battery technology start-ups unveil
plans to investigate building
the UK’s first gigafactory
10 NEWS analysis
COVID-19 drives the development and
deployment of drone technology
14 energy feature
Innovations in green hydrogen
production will be key to enabling the
UK to meet its net zero ambitions
18 viewpoint
RAE president Prof Sir Jim McDonald on
how the lessons learned from COVID-19
can help us address the climate crisis
20 mailbox
Readers discuss energy storage,
SpaceX and transport investment
22 interview
MD of Willams Advanced Engineering
Craig Wilson talks disruptive technology
24 training
From CPD to apprenticeships, the
pandemic has had a profound impact on
the way that training is delivered
26 space exploration
NASA’s Mars 2020 mission features
some of the most advanced technology
ever taken into space
30 product Q&A
How digitalisation and smart materials
are reshaping the world of bearings
32 late great engineers
The life and times of US bridge builder
Washington Roebling
34 from the archive
In July 1945 a reporter from The
Engineer stepped aboard a captured
German U-boat
36 blog
EngineeringUK chief executive Dr Hilary
Leevers explains why driving diversity
has never been more important
38 digest
Take part in our monthly crossword
Editor Jon Excell
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jon.excell@markallengroup.com
Features editor Stuart Nathan
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stuart.nathan@markallengroup.com
Senior reporter Andrew Wade
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markallengroup.com
News editor Jason Ford
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Commercial director Justyn Gidley
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Business development manager
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Senior account manager
Lindsay Smith
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Art Director
Andrew Ganassin
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ISSN 0013-7758. Printed by Pensord,
Press Ltd, Blackwood, NP12 2YA
VOLUME 300 • ISSUE 7919 • JULY 2020
14 26
24 32
164 YEARS OF
TECHNOLOGY
& INNOVATION
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