Nominations for Queen's Awards for Business Open
Nominations are now open for the prestigious Queen's Awards which recognise and encourage the outstanding achievements of UK businesses. Now in its 52nd year, the Queen's Awards are the most prestigious business awards in the country, recognising and celebrating outstanding achievements by UK businesses in the fields of Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable Development, and Promoting Opportunity. Read more...
Big wake up call from world's cheapest electric car
The arrival of what could be the cheapest ever electric car must accelerate innovation around zero-emission vehicles, experts warn. China’s launch of a fully-electric car that sells for under £5000 is being described as a “wake up call” to European car manufacturers and policy makers.Through a Chinese subsidiary, General Motors (GM) has unveiled the Baojun E100; a vehicle the size of a Smart car with a 100-mile range. Read more...
Heat treatment developments in focus
A conference and exhibition on 13 October will look at the latest developments in cost reduction and improved productivity in the international heat treatment industry.The second Surface Engineering and Heat Treatment Industry Conference/Exhibition takes place on 13 October at historic Kenilworth’s Chesford Grange. The event is again co-sponsored by the UK’s Contract Heat Treatment Association (CHTA), the Surface Engineering Association and Wolfson Heat Treatment Centre. Read more...
Government customs union plan draws mixed reaction from industry
The government’s plan for an interim customs union with the EU has drawn a mixed reaction from members of the process industry.Today the UK government published the first in a series of papers that set out proposals for a future customs relationship with the EU.Secretary of state for exiting the EU David Davis said: “The approaches we are setting out today will benefit both the EU and UK and avoid a cliff-edge for businesses and individuals on both sides. Read more...
Could new 'self-healing' technique lead to invincible robots?
Robots are a step closer to Terminator-like invincibility after “wounds” in parts healed themselves, researchers have said. Inspired by the soft tissue of humans and other organisms, the team from Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium created a gripper, hand and artificial muscle out of rubbery elastomers. Capable of completing simple tasks, the robots can also “heal” damage when exposed to heat, potentially paving the way for resilient, long-lasting and eco-friendly new machines. Read more...
Survey finds R&D tax relief eluding engineering SMEs
Just over three-quarters of the UK’s engineering SMEs have not heard of R&D tax relief, according to the results of a new Censuswide survey of 500 senior managers and business owners published Catax.Even when senior managers and owners at smaller UK engineering firms have heard of R&D tax relief, more than a third (36 per cent) believe it is restricted to specialist hi-tech science or drug companies. Read more...