TV
Engineering at the Cutting Edge
A five-part series from Channel 4 designed to capture and ignite young people's interest in engineering. Stories of contemporary, cutting edge projects include landmark structures such as the Millennium Bridge, bio-mechanical engineering and improving human performance, replacement limbs, the environment, and roller coaster engineering.
Each programme addresses a key question, such as 'Why build things in new ways when the existing methods continue to work fine?', 'Can engineers match the abilities of the human body?' or 'How can engineers repair some of the environmental damage their products have in part caused?'.
Presenter Ed McCann is Visiting Lecturer in Civil Engineering Design at Imperial College, London. He is passionate about engineering and its role in shaping the future and his informal style will help to open up the subject to students in the classroom.
Overview
Programme 1 summary
Question: 'Should we build things in new ways, when the old ways worked fine?'
This programme looks at two amazing structures: the Millennium Bridge in London and the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland.
Presenter Ed McCann and Millennium Bridge designer Chris Wise look at how this 325-metre bridge became so famous as the wobbling bridge.
The Falkirk Wheel is the world's one and only rotary boatlift and replaced . It was designed to replace eleven slow canal locks and lift heavy canal boats over thirty-five metres . It is so well balanced that it only uses the same amount of energy as two electric kettles to rotate over 600 tonnes of steel and water.
Programme 2 Summary
Question: 'Can engineers ever come close to matching the engineering of the human body?'
The programme tells the story of two people as they have new limbs fitted and how they adjust to the changes it brings to their lives.
Story one follows young mum, June Grinstead, and how she learns to walk again after the first fitting of her artificial leg.
The second story is about Malcolm Gilbertson and his decision to have a new electronic arm fitted. The programme shows the decisions he faced as the arm is made and fitted.
Programme 3 Summary
Question: 'Can engineers undo the damage they have wreaked on the environment?'
This programme looks at two automotive projects that show how important it is for designers to work with well proven standard car parts yet still emerge with completely different products.
Student designers Colin Williams and Will Baxter design and produce a sports car called 'ToniQ R'.
In the second project a team of Ford engineers take a standard diesel Transit van and try to increase its fuel efficiency by making the engine stop at traffic lights and drop off points.
Programme 4 summary
Question: 'Should engineers be tinkering with the performance of the human body, and what will the consequences be?'
Vaughan Lovelock has designed a footballer's headband meant to improve heading accuracy. Sheffield United footballers test it out and Vaughan nervously waits for the results.
Athlete Gary Sanderson has cerebral palsy. He needs to improve his time to qualify for the Paralympics. Sophisticated computer technology and video cameras help the engineers find the extra speed.
Programme 5 summary
Question: 'Should engineers use their talents merely for creating thrills?'
Engineers don't normally design products to scare us but that is what the public wants when they go to the fairground. Today's roller coasters are designed and tested in virtual worlds before being built.
John Roberts designed the 'Big One', which is the tallest and fastest ride in Europe. It is 72 metres high and the cars travel at speeds up to 90mph. When the car drops from the highest point it accelerates to 60mph in 2.7 seconds, faster than the quickest sports car. To ensure passenger safety the ride is continuously maintained, with computer technology in control and high-speed emergency braking systems fitted in case of problems.
Click here to see the TV schedule.
Video
The Engineering at the Cutting Edge series is also available on DVD. Click here to order your copies.
