-
Spreading the word about clean cold
Andrew Gaved ManufacturingI have written before about the vital role the cooling industry in Europe believes it can play in developing countries where there is not yet an infrastructure for refrigerating food from "farm to plate." Now, the potential for reducing food wastage through refrigeration at various parts of the so-called cold chain has arguably been clear for a while, but it has taken a combination of factors to give the proponents of the technology the necessary momentum to get their ideas more widely accepted.
-
Surveyors: Are we our own worst enemy?
Lee Lovell Science & TechnologyI admit to being a novice when it comes to ancient Greek philosophers. However, they seem to speak to some contemporary issues. In the Phaedrus dialogue, Plato expresses concerns that an information technology called writing might weaken a person's mind and cause trouble in the community. He suggests "learners will read and think they know many things; however they will not possess knowledge and become difficult to get along with."
-
Urban challenge: What should be done about gentrification?
Lucy Wallwork Civil & GovernmentGentrification is the process in which an influx of wealthy residents into an urban district causes rents to rise and the neighborhood to be reshaped in line with middle-class (usually white) characteristics. And it's becoming an growing headache for policymakers and the mayors of some of America's hippest cities.
-
When rapid injection molding is better than 3‑D printing
Renee Eaton Engineering3-D printing — or rapid prototyping as it is also called — is a fast and cost-effective solution for testing and perfecting digital designs in the real world. Due to their ability to fabricate parts overnight without any direct labor, programming or tooling, 3-D printing technologies carry many advantages over traditional technologies like injection molding for short turns and small-batch production.
-
Scotland takes brave approach to climate change
Andrew Gaved Waste Management & EnvironmentalIn the U.S., the HVACR industry waits with bated breath to see what new President Donald Trump is going to do with regard to climate change policy — and what sort of restrictions he will put on the EPA. Meanwhile, across the Pond in the U.K., the Scottish government has shown a heartening amount of ambition for carbon cutting with its own draft climate change plan. In fact, the Scottish plan is so ambitious that it has thrown the spotlight on the U.K. Westminster government's own somewhat-more-conservative carbon cutting plans.
-
Urban challenge: Rethinking America’s love affair with suburbia
Lucy Wallwork Civil & GovernmentTo kick off this series on U.S. cities, we looked at the rise of the metropolitan mayor. In the next few pieces, we will look at a few of the major challenges facing those mayors in shaping their cities for the demands and opportunities of the 21st century.
-
US braces for climate backlash as 109 countries sign Paris Agreement
Andrew Gaved Waste Management & EnvironmentalThe election of Donald Trump has provoked alarm among some policymakers and industry bodies who fear he will row back on the emissions reductions they have worked toward in recent months. As climate leaders met last month in Marrakech, Morocco, to officially sign the Paris Agreement on climate change, committing the 109 signatories to firm targets on carbon reduction, U.S. policymakers pointedly used the opportunity to make clear that the nation did not share the president-elect's views.
-
Surveying the Colorado River Aqueduct
Sherri Lee Barnes and Paul L. Tucker, PS Construction & Building MaterialsDuring the 1920s, the city of Los Angeles was burgeoning. Demographics were changing, and geographic boundaries were being pushed out in all directions. Oil was booming, industrialization was in full swing, and water was in high demand.
-
Amazon finished 2016 with a bang. What will 2017 bring?
Danielle Manley RetailAmazon has always been on the forefront of advancements in the retail world. From technology to delivery, Amazon is constantly disrupting the industry, so it's no surprise they closed out 2016 with a bang — a big bang.
-
New tools bring VR to the job site
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsReal estate developers and sellers garnered media attention this past year with stories about how they are using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies to help clients visualize and experience luxury properties or future projects for sale or investment.
All Engineering Articles