Engineering
Engineering is our path to the future: engineers build rockets, smartphones, self-driving cars, robots, 3D printers and computers. But it's also our view of the past. How much have we learned about our ancient ancestors from the pyramids, the city of Petra, the Colosseum, and Notre-Dame Cathedral? Our love of inventing and creating has driven human innovation for centuries - so much so that the word 'engineer' shares a root with the word 'ingenious'.
How bacteria and self-healing roads could soon fix the UK’s 750,000 potholes
Climate change is playing havoc with the UK’s road network. Now is the time to invest in innovative solutions.
Doughnut plasma and 100 million°C cores: How scientists could soon make nuclear fusion a reality
What are the problems facing nuclear scientists in their quest for the ultimate clean energy source? A physicist explains.
Rome wasn't built in a day... and here's why
Building a city is complicated and, even with a huge amount of manpower, building materials need time to cure and set once used.
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Scientists plan to melt moondust to make lunar roads
Astronauts may have to do more moon-driving than moon-walking during future missions.
Extreme experiments: The laboratories that are pushing science to its limits
Take a look inside some of the most extraordinary science experiments in the world, from the coldest, to the hottest, to the highest.
Top 10: World’s longest bridges
A structure spanning the English Channel wouldn’t come close to the 10 lengthiest bridges.
Best Meccano sets for adults and kids in 2024
For an exciting way to explore engineering and creativity, check out our selection of the best Meccano sets.
How does a ground source heat pump work?
This renewable heating system requires very little maintenance.
Do you need a crane to build a crane?
In this extract from the QI Elves' new book, they solve the puzzle of which came first, the construction crane or the crane that built it?
How much horsepower does a horse have?
Spoiler alert: It's not always 1HP.
Parasite-inspired drug delivery system could be the future of medicine
The tiny, star-shaped ‘theragrippers’ latch onto the intestinal tract, to slowly release their drug payload.
Source of near-indestructible beetle’s toughness discovered
Scientists have discovered the secret behind a beetle’s extraordinary resistance to being crushed.
What is rocket science?
The theory behind blasting something into space isn’t as complicated as you might think. Putting it into practice, however, is a little bit trickier.
A history of rocket science
From steam powered devices in Ancient Greece to man's first steps on the Moon, this is the history of rocket science.
Ritu Raman | Can you build with biology?
Mechanical engineer Ritu Raman explains how to integrate biology into engineering and what these remarkable devices can do.
Rocket science for beginners
Rocket science might seem a daunting subject, but it doesn't have to be so complicated – here's our quick explainer.
Podcast transcript | Building machines with biological material
Read the full transcript of our Science Focus Podcast interview with Ritu Raman on biohybrid design - listen to the full episode at the bottom of the page.
Brendan Walker | Where is the best place to sit on a rollercoaster?
We say our feelings can be like a rollercoaster, but as it turns out, the psychology of our emotions has influenced rollercoaster design from the beginning.
Brendan Walker on designing rollercoasters
Read the full transcript of our Science Focus Podcast interview with Brendan Walker about rollercoasters - listen to the full episode at the bottom of the page.
Scotland-Northern Ireland bridge | Doable, just “eye-wateringly expensive”
The government is apparently looking into the possibility of building a bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland. One of the UK’s leading civil engineers explains how it could be done.
Monster movers | Massive machines for shunting and shifting
Think moving house is difficult? Take a look at the gargantuan machines that are needed to move rockets, wind turbines, Antarctic bases and even entire buildings.
Why aren't large Lego bricks used to build full-size buildings?
We've all dreamed of building a Lego castle, but it'll probably be cost rather than structural integrity that brings this grand design to a halt.
What connects insects and cogs?
Cog as in the wheel, not the Dutch shoe.
Why do some buildings hum in high winds?
Skyscrapers have been known to make some interesting sounds.