CONTENTS
38
30
3 June 2020 / www.theengineer.co.uk
4 Editor’s Comment
The Engineering response to Covid-19
has been inspiring. We must now
channel the same energy into getting
manufacturing back on its feet
6 NEWS
Three-year project unveils advanced
communications technologies to make
driving safer and cleaner
8 NEWS
Heat-based disbonding technology
could transform composite use
9 NEWS
Solar power tech mimics plants
12 viewpoint
Imperial College’s Prof Nilay Shah on
the engineering challenges of scaling
up vaccine manufacture
14 talking point
Will the pandemic drive reshoring
of UK manufacturing?
16 mailbox
Readers discuss whether the current
crisis has strengthened the case for a
chief government engineer
18 interview
Dick Elsy gives us the inside story
on UK manufacturing’s epic push for
ventilators
22 Q&A Feature
Engineering firms from across the UK
manufacturing spectrum discuss their
role in the response to Covid-19
26 aerospace Feature
Examining the legacy of E-Fan X, Rolls-
Royce and Airbus’ recently cancelled
hybrid electric aviation project
30 consumer technology
The Crosshead folding bike marries
convenience with performance
32 product Q&A
Emerging trends, technologies and
applications in 3D printing
36 late great engineers
Father of immunolgy, surgeon
and academic research pioneer
Edward Jenner
38 from the archive
In June 1959 The Engineer took a look at
the engineering behind an exciting new
mode of sea travel: the hovercraft
41 opinion
Prof Marja Makarow on why Brexit
must take a back seat to UK EU
scientific collaboration
42 digest
Take part in our monthly crossword
Editor Jon Excell
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Features editor Stuart Nathan
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ISSN 0013-7758. Printed by Pensord,
Press Ltd, Blackwood, NP12 2YA
VOLUME 300 • ISSUE 7918 • JUNE 2020
18
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164 YEARS OF
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& INNOVATION
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