Showing papers in "Engineering Science and Education Journal in 1997"
TL;DR: In this paper, a series of aluminium-silicon alloys has been developed using the Osprey method, which are readily machinable using conventional carbide tools and are easily platable with nickel, copper, silver and gold.
Abstract: A novel series of aluminium-silicon alloys has been developed using the Osprey method. These high silicon (50-70 wt%) content alloys have fine, isotropic microstructure. Unlike the conventional silicon-carbide-containing metal matrix composites (MMCs), the new alloys are readily machinable using conventional carbide tools and are easily platable with nickel, copper, silver and gold. The electroplated layers remain adherent and blister free up to 450°C. The characterisation of the alloys in terms of their resistivity, thermal conductivity and thermal expansivity is described. The methodology for fabricating electronics packages is also described.
35 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the impact of mechatronics on the process of product design and development and sets out a framework within which the underlying technical and organisational requirements associated with a mechatronic approach to system design can be successfully deployed.
Abstract: This article provides an introduction to the basic concepts of mechatronics. It considers the impact of mechatronics on the process of product design and development and sets out a framework within which the underlying technical and organisational requirements associated with a mechatronic approach to system design and development can be successfully deployed.
27 citations
TL;DR: In this article, focused ion beam (FIB) techniques are used in microelectronics for prototyping, failure analysis, and process control, leading to novel sensors, such as a microaccelerometer.
Abstract: Focused ion beam (FIB) techniques are commonly used in microelectronics for prototyping, failure analysis and process control. With the growing interest in MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) the importance of FIB techniques in this field has to be established. For the FIB to be considered for production, the milling time is crucial. Using as an example the fabrication of a microaccelerometer structure the authors show there is scope for the FIB in the prototyping and production of micromechanical structures, leading to novel sensors.
26 citations
TL;DR: In the knowledge-based society of the 21st century, the critical and only sustainable competitive advantage will be to have the ability to learn faster than the competitors as mentioned in this paper, and universities must become learning organizations which are skilled at creating, acquiring and transferring knowledge, and at modifying their behaviour to reflect new knowledge and insights.
Abstract: In the knowledge-based society of the 21st century, the critical and only sustainable competitive advantage will be to have the ability to learn faster than the competitors. To meet the challenges of the 21st century, universities must become learning organisations which are skilled at creating, acquiring and transferring knowledge, and at modifying their behaviour to reflect new knowledge and insights. To accommodate these new needs, a model for engineering education must be generated which is learning-based, practice-oriented and demands active involvement of the student.
16 citations
TL;DR: The issues involved with the development and implementation of an on-line postgraduate course for remote-access students, especially relevant for students who wish to pursue postgraduate qualifications, or to update their skill base, while continuing with their career are discussed.
Abstract: This paper discusses the issues involved with the development and implementation of an on-line postgraduate course for remote-access students. This is especially relevant for students who wish to pursue postgraduate qualifications, or to update their skill base, while continuing with their career. Although remote-access education would not be considered by the author as the delivery method of choice for the majority of an engineering student's educational needs, there will always be niche educational demands that can be addressed by such an approach. Although the electronic presentation of course notes via the Internet is becoming more commonplace, the ideas outlined in this paper go beyond this basic concept. The emphasis of any remote-access-based educational strategy has to be on the interaction between the tutor and the students, and not on note presentation.
14 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss spatial, temporal and statistical analyses of electricity generation and wealth creation and conclude that the benefits of electricity production are at least of the same order of magnitude as economic development itself.
Abstract: The essential role that electricity is seen to play in the development of society results in substantial market and associated nonmarket benefits. Examination of the relationship between total energy consumption and wealth creation and between electricity generation and wealth creation suggests that the benefits of electricity generation are at least of the same order of magnitude as economic development itself. The authors discuss spatial, temporal and statistical analyses of electricity generation and wealth creation.
13 citations
Journal Article•
13 citations
TL;DR: The opportunities provided by biological cells and assemblies for one to mimic nature are being grasped for new generations of medical devices as well as for sensors and systems to be used for industrial and domestic purposes.
Abstract: Nature has much with which to inspire engineers in their efforts to design and fabricate systems demanded by every aspect of one's daily lives. At the centre of this are cells in plants and animals, which have diverse form and function and may be regarded as clever adaptive machines with exquisite methods for sensing and communication. The opportunities provided by biological cells and assemblies for one to mimic nature are being grasped for new generations of medical devices as well as for sensors and systems to be used for industrial and domestic purposes.
9 citations
TL;DR: Impedance imaging is a developing technique with characteristics which make it a valuable addition to existing methods, and examples of some of these configurations are used to illustrate the principles, characteristics and applications of the technique.
Abstract: The need to produce images or representations of inaccessible regions is essential in medicine and industrial processing. Impedance imaging is a developing technique with characteristics which make it a valuable addition to existing methods. The technique has grown from an extension of the principle of the four-point probe measurement of impedance into a range of diverse configurations. Examples of some of these configurations are used to illustrate the principles, characteristics and applications of the technique, and to draw conclusions about its possible future development.
9 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present and discuss the results of a small-scale survey into the opinions of engineering employer on the education of graduate engineers, and the future direction of electrical and electronic engineering degree courses is considered.
Abstract: This article presents and discusses the results of a small-scale survey into the opinions of engineering employer on the education of graduate engineers. Basic engineering knowledge, mathematics and communication skills emerge as the essential pillars of degree courses, and the future direction of electrical and electronic engineering degree courses is considered.
9 citations
TL;DR: A course in quality assurance embracing the techniques of applied statistics along with the principles of operations management is urgently required.
Abstract: The importance of statistical methods as a fundamental element of engineering is beginning to be recognised, though rather belatedly. Historical evidence suggests the statistical skill of engineers in the UK is lagging behind that of their opposite numbers in other countries. The lack of a sound statistical element in many engineering degree courses must be a contributory factor. A course in quality assurance embracing the techniques of applied statistics along with the principles of operations management is urgently required. A suitable syllabus is proposed.
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TL;DR: A new calculator is described that is simple, reliable and very powerful and is marketed misleadingly.
Abstract: Existing calculators are unreliable and difficult to use, and they are marketed misleadingly. Here, a new calculator is described that is simple, reliable and very powerful.
TL;DR: Efficient models can only be constructed after one has a reasonable grasp of the phenomenology of lightning and its basic physics and has an appreciation of the kind of lightning effects on structures one is interested in studying.
Abstract: Lightning is one of the most common and severe of electromagnetic threats. Understanding its impact on the safety of persons, system integrity and electromagnetic compatibility is of major importance. Predicting its interaction with structures using suitable numerical models is an essential step in designing systems with a high level of immunity to the lightning threat. The purpose of this paper is to show how to construct models suitable for predicting currents flowing on structures due to their interaction with lightning. Efficient models can only be constructed after one has a reasonable grasp of the phenomenology of lightning and its basic physics and has an appreciation of the kind of lightning effects on structures one is interested in studying. A brief introduction into these topics is thus given prior to the construction of models.
TL;DR: The author believes that imminent technology changes which will make computer algebra routinely available to students on hand-held `calculators' challenge those involved with teaching engineering mathematics at university to re-examine both the curriculum and its delivery.
Abstract: The role of computer algebra within engineering mathematics in higher education is discussed. A brief description of computer algebra systems and the current status of computer algebra within higher education is given. The author believes that imminent technology changes which will make computer algebra routinely available to students on hand-held `calculators' challenge those involved with teaching engineering mathematics at university to re-examine both the curriculum and its delivery. Specific examples of these challenges in the areas of differentiation and differential equations are presented.
TL;DR: An overview of various Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic, and allied thermal, techniques is presented in this article, where examples of applications of the methods and of their advantages and disadvantages are discussed.
Abstract: Identification of unknown materials, and of changes in known materials, is important to many manufacturers and suppliers. Infrared spectroscopy and the combination of thermal and infrared techniques allow forensic analysis, and identification, of new and stressed materials. An overview of various Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic, and allied thermal, techniques is presented. Examples of applications of the methods and of their advantages and disadvantages are discussed.
TL;DR: The advantages and problems of computer algebra systems are discussed and illustrations using the Maple system are presented.
Abstract: Computer algebra systems are now an important tool for most engineering and technical professionals, so the use of such tools must be incorporated into the education of these professionals. Although many advantages accrue from this change, there are also some associated problems. This paper discusses the advantages and problems and presents illustrations using the Maple system.
TL;DR: The requirements for business success have changed dramatically from those of yesteryear as discussed by the authors, and customer focus is now the most important determinant of business success and consequently marketing, the segment of management practice that deals with company-customer relationships, is a powerful force in today's society.
Abstract: The requirements for business success have changed dramatically from those of yesteryear. Customer focus is now the most important determinant of business success and consequently marketing, the segment of management practice that deals with company-customer relationships, is a powerful force in today's society. The author argues not only that it is necessary for engineers to be well-versed in the art of management but that they have the unique ability to be so.
TL;DR: In this article, it is argued that this style of presentation, with its emphasis on "recipe" and traditional measurements, is increasingly inappropriate for the requirements of modern engineering practice.
Abstract: Measurement education within many engineering curricula may be described as 'elementary' and 'traditional'. In this paper it is argued that this style of presentation, with its emphasis on 'recipe' and traditional measurements, is increasingly inappropriate for the requirements of modern engineering practice. This paper outlines two contrasting undergraduate units (subjects) in which measurement engineering is presented in a generic but systematic manner within two separate degree courses in electrical/electronic (and other) engineering. Both these subjects emphasise the science of measurement and measurement system design rather than the technology involved, this provides the student with a basis for, and some experience in, applications spanning a wide range of measurement requirements.
TL;DR: 'Game theory' is used to examine the conflict of self interest versus group interest within a shared network environment like the Internet.
Abstract: The World Wide Web enables users to access a variety of multimedia resources distributed around the world. Its ease of use has attracted many new users to the Internet and the emergence of commercial Internet providers has facilitated this growth. Although most people welcome the breakdown of elitist access to the Internet, it has had an impact on the performance experienced by the individual user. 'Game theory' is used to examine the conflict of self interest versus group interest within a shared network environment like the Internet.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The author, a grandson of one of the Anglo-Indian telegraphists, reviewed some contemporary records of the telegraph routes as discussed by the authors, and found that the first of these, via the Red Sea, was abandoned in 1861 leaving the British and Indian Governments to honour their guaranteed annual payments of 4 1/2 % on the capital invested.
Abstract: Between the end of the Indian Mutiny in 1857 and 1870, four Anglo-Indian telegraph routes were constructed. The first of these, via the Red Sea, was abandoned in 1861 leaving the British and Indian Governments to honour their guaranteed annual payments of 4 1/2 % on the capital invested. The second, via the Persian Gulf was completed in 1865 but proved difficult to operate without English speaking telegraphists through the Ottoman Empire. The third, via Siemens' Russian network and north Persia and employing English operators, reduced the mean time for telegrams to less than one day but was rapidly in competition with a submarine cable from Cornwall to Bombay via the Mediterranean. The author, a grandson of one of the Anglo-Indian telegraphists, reviews some contemporary records of the telegraph routes.
TL;DR: The instrumentation with applied physics (IAP) degree at Glasgow Caledonian University as discussed by the authors provides a solid foundation for the formation of engineers specialising in measurement and instrumentation, and the main advantage of developing an instrumentation and measurement theme together with applied applied physics is that the graduates are equipped with an understanding of a wide range of physical processes and an appreciation of the scientific technique.
Abstract: The Instrumentation with Applied Physics honours degree programme at Glasgow Caledonian University provides a solid foundation for the formation of engineers specialising in measurement and instrumentation. The main advantage of developing an instrumentation and measurement theme together with applied physics is that the graduates are equipped with an understanding of a wide range of physical processes and an appreciation of the scientific technique, enabling them to have a sound understanding of the principles and practice of measurement. The author believes that the approach described represents 'best practice' in undergraduate education in this subject area.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The Engineering Education Scheme aims to provide an opportunity for high-quality lower-sixth students studying mathematics and physics at 'A' level in UK schools and colleges to experience the intellectual and creative challenges of engineering and to provide the seedcom of engineers into the 21st Century as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The Engineering Education Scheme aims to provide an opportunity for high-quality lower-sixth students studying mathematics and physics at `A' level in UK schools and colleges to experience the intellectual and creative challenges of engineering and to provide the seedcom of engineers into the 21st Century. This article describes how the Scheme operates, its advantages to the participating companies, schools and students and its position in a continuum of activities, overseen by The Royal Academy of Engineering, and stretching from the sixth form to postgraduate and professional development.
TL;DR: The Alexanderson alternator was a rotary mechanical generator of radio carrier-waves at frequencies up to 100 kHz and beyond, developed in the early 1900s as discussed by the authors, and proved to be very successful, particularly for military work.
Abstract: The Alexanderson alternator was a rotary mechanical generator of radio carrier-waves at frequencies up to 100 kHz and beyond, developed in the early 1900s. In spite of the many technical problems involved in constructing machines of this sort they proved to be very successful, particularly for military work. One fully operational installation still exists today in southern Sweden.
TL;DR: In this paper, the attitudes of 1601 Birmingham school children towards engineering and manufacturing, and the attitude of 108 industrialists and the image they think school children have of engineering, were investigated.
Abstract: This paper details research into young people's and industrialists' perceptions of engineering and manufacturing in the UK. A database was constructed from completed questionnaires which contained information about the attitudes of 1601 Birmingham school children towards engineering and manufacturing, and the attitudes of 108 industrialists and the image they think school children have of engineering and manufacturing. From this research it can be concluded that the pupils had a far more favourable opinion of engineering and manufacturing than they were thought to have by the industrialists.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe new standards and techniques which have improved the quality of the traceability services offered for these measurement requirements, and describe new techniques for measuring the impedance properties of a circuit or device to the required level of accuracy.
Abstract: Knowing the impedance properties of a circuit or device is a fundamental requirement for nearly all RF measurements. However, measuring these impedance properties to the required level of accuracy can be a difficult task. This article describes new standards and techniques which have improved the quality of the traceability services offered for these measurement requirements.