Mini robots plan to fix underground pipes

New micro robots will be built to repair the country’s underground pipe network and cut the disruption caused by road excavations.

Scientists from four British universities will use a £26.6m government investment to develop 1 cm long robotic devices that use sensors and navigation systems to find and mend cracks in pipes.

The traffic closures and disruption to businesses of these roadworks is estimated to amount to more than £5 billion.

Robots will also be developed to be sent sent to hazardous work places such as offshore wind-farms and nuclear decommissioning facilities.

Science Minister Chris Skidmore said: “While for now we can only dream of a world without roadworks disrupting our lives, these pipe-repairing robots herald the start of technology that could make that dream a reality in the future

“From deploying robots in our pipe network so cutting down traffic delays, to using robots in workplaces to keep people safer, this new technology could change the world we live in for the better.

“Experts in our top UK universities across the country are well-equipped to develop this innovative new technology.”

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Chief Executive, Professor Sir Mark Walport said: “The projects announced today demonstrate how robots and artificial intelligence will revolutionise the way we carry out complex and dangerous tasks, from maintaining offshore wind farms to decommissioning nuclear power facilities.

“They also illustrate the leading role that the UK’s innovators are playing in developing these new technologies which will improve safety and boost productivity and efficiency.”

The £26.6 million government funding boost is part of the modern Industrial Strategy, investing in the technologies of tomorrow and creating high skilled jobs across the country.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/12/31/mini-robots-plan-to-fix-underground-pipes/

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Vinci pays £2.9bn for majority stake in Gatwick Airport

French infrastructure giant Vinci has paid £2.9bn for a majority stake in Gatwick Airport.

Under the terms of the deal, Vinci Airports takes a 50.01% stake making it the firm’s largest airport.

Gatwick’s chair, Sir David Higgins, described the deal as a vote of confidence in Gatwick and its future potential.

Higgins will stay on, along with the chief executive, Stewart Wingate, who said there would be no changes to the immediate running of the airport.

Just two months ago, the former owners of the UK’s second-busiest airport, revealed plans to move and upgrade its standby runway into routine use for departing flights by the mid-2020s.

The £500m plan to use the runway for short haul flights forms part of Gatwick Airport’s growth masterplan.

This would see an extra £1.1bn spent over the next five years on upgrading the airport.

2018-2023 key projects plan

• New domestic arrivals facility, including a new baggage, reclaim in South Terminal.
• Mezzanine level extension in the North Terminal departure lounge to accommodate new restaurants.
• Completion of the road system and taxiway entrance to the new Boeing aircraft hangar to connect the airfield with the new facility.  The new hangar opens next year and will service the growing number of long-haul aircraft operating from Gatwick.
• Re-development of South Terminal hotel capacity.
• Enabling works for Network Rail’s planned upgrade to the Gatwick station.
• New reception centre for passengers with reduced mobility in the North Terminal.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/12/29/vinci-pays-2-9bn-for-majority-stake-in-gatwick-airport/

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Tolent chairman gains CBE in New Year Honours

John Wood, chairman of Gateshead-based Tolent Construction, has been awarded a CBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours.

Awarded for services to building and civil engineering, Wood established Tolent Construction in 1983 after working for Wimpey and Balfour Beatty.

He is one of a handful of business professionals to win recognition for their service to the industry.

Architect John Pawson also became a CBE for services to design and architecture.

Among the other awards, chartered quantity surveyor and founder of Urbanist, was made an OBE for services to diversity and young people in construction.

Dr Jennifer Schooling, director of the Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction at the University of Cambridge and Stefanie Stead, regional chair of Yorkshire and Humber Construction Industry Council and principal at architect Stead & Co, also received OBEs.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/12/30/tolent-chairman-gains-cbe-in-new-years-honours/

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Electronics of the future: A new energy-efficient mechanism using the Rashba effect

Scientists have proposed new quasi-1D materials for potential spintronic applications, an upcoming technology that exploits the spin of electrons. They performed simulations to demonstrate the spin properties of these materials and explained the mechanisms behind their behavior.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181227102106.htm

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Discovery of topological LC circuits transporting EM waves without backscattering

Engineers have succeeded in fabricating topological LC circuits arranged in a honeycomb pattern where electromagnetic (EM) waves can propagate without backscattering even when pathways turn sharply. These circuits may be suitable for use as high-frequency electromagnetic waveguides, which would allow miniaturization and high integration in various electronics devices, such as mobile phones.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181226132842.htm

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Give it the plasma treatment: Strong adhesion without adhesives

A research team has used plasma treatment to make fluoropolymers and silicone resin adhere without any adhesives. Heat-assisted helium-plasma treatment created oxygen-containing functional groups on PTFE or PFA, while open-air plasma-jetting installed silanol groups on vulcanized PDMS. Under pressure, the treated PDMS strongly adhered to the treated polymers, copper, and glass through covalent and hydrogen bonds of silanol. Adhesive-free adhesion allows resins and polymers to be used in food and medicine industries.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181226132836.htm

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Sustainable 'plastics' are on the horizon

A new study describes a process to make bioplastic polymers that don’t require land or fresh water – resources that are scarce in much of the world. The resulting material is biodegradable, produces zero toxic waste and recycles into organic waste.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181225162808.htm

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Vital Energi lands £2.3m deal on Redrow site

Vital Energi will deliver a £2.3m energy scheme for The West Works, Redrow’s latest development in Southall.

Vital will be taking a phased installation approach to grow the solution in line with Redrow’s construction plans.

Vital will be providing the design, supply and installation services for the scheme, which consists of a 185kW CHP engine, three 533kW gas boilers, two 8,000 litre thermal stores, low temperature hot water system and 280m of district heating.

Vital will also be responsible for supplying the heat interface units for the development which consists of 313 new homes, alongside commercial units.

Vital adapted the design presented by Redrow’s consultants to provide a more financially beneficial and efficient solution.

The energy scheme will be installed alongside the development’s construction, with the CHP engine being switched on later in the development process when there is the required demand.

The project will also see Vital provide the additional infrastructure to futureproof the network by installing capped pipework to allow for the additional connections.

Rob Callagahan, Regional Director for the South for Vital Energi, said: “After working with Redrow on previous projects such as their Padcroft and 500 Chiswick Road developments, we are pleased that we have been selected to provide the energy scheme for this new development.

“We have carried out a detailed design to ensure the most financially beneficial and efficient solution has been provided and look forward to seeing the project implemented.”

The West Works development comprises one, two and three bedroom luxury apartments and is due for completion late 2019.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/12/27/vital-energi-lands-2-3m-deal-on-redrow-site/

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Contractor buys modular specialist from administrators

Local contractor Pat Munro has bought timber modular building specialist Carbon Dynamic.

The Invergordon, Scotland based firm went into administration in early December with the loss of 40 jobs.

Administrators Blair Nimmo and Geoff Jacobs of KPMG LLP have now sold the business to Carbon Dynamic (Scotland) Limited – a new company set up by Pat Munro (Alness) Limited.

Nimmo said: “It is extremely pleasing to secure the sale of Carbon Dynamic in such a short timeframe, and to buyers who can see the potential in the business and its skilled workforce.

“The sale has achieved a good outcome for many stakeholders and we hope it will benefit the local area.

“We would like to thank the retained employees, customers, and all parties with an interest in Carbon Dynamic, including various government agencies, for their patience and support during this period.

“We would also like to wish Pat Munro and Carbon Dynamic (Scotland) Limited every success for the future.

“As new owners they have an ambitious vision to build on Carbon Dynamic’s reputation for cutting edge design and manufacture of eco-friendly modular buildings, re-employing a number of Carbon Dynamic’s former staff and contributing to the diversity of the economy in the Scottish Highlands.”

Brian Munro, Managing Director of Pat Munro, said: “Pat Munro management and staff have long been aware of the innovative and high-quality products that CLDB offered to the modular building sector.

“We collaborated in previous successful projects and were very saddened to learn of the financial situation which threatened the future of 42 important local jobs.

“As such, we are delighted to add Carbon Dynamic (Scotland) Ltd to the Pat Munro Group and we are committed to continuing, and enhancing, their superb progress to date.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/12/27/contractor-buys-modular-specialist-from-administrators/

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Rogue developers banned for ripping-off investors

Six directors have been banned for a total of 54 years after they misled more than 300 people to invest £12m into residential property developments in the north of England.

Four of the directors are based in Malaysia while the remaining two live in The Wirral and Kilburn, North-West London.

The Insolvency Service investigation centred on property firm Absolute Living Developments Limited.

The company sold apartments off-plan to investors who were largely based in Asia.

It is estimated that Absolute Living Developments secured at least £12m from people to invest in residential property schemes that were in various states of development.

Daniel Mark Harrison (38), from Kilburn North-West London, was the last of the directors to be disqualified and he was banned for six years through a court order on 28 November 2018.

During Harrison’s hearings, the court heard that Absolute Living Developments Limited was incorporated in November 2013, with registered offices in Liverpool.

The company sought out investments to convert commercial buildings into residential properties.

The developments were located predominately in Bradford and Greater Manchester.

People complained that having invested through Absolute Living Developments, the schemes had not been fully completed and the apartments were unliveable.

Absolute Living Developments was wound-up by order of the courts in April 2016 following the presentation of a petition by Bradford Council due to unpaid rates and investigations that followed principally focused on four developments – three in Bradford and one in Manchester.

Investigators discovered various examples of misconduct by Absolute Living Developments facilitated by the directors.

The company provided misleading and incomplete information about the developments to investors, meaning people couldn’t carry out due diligence.

Absolute Living Developments had no ability to ensure the terms of contracts with investors could be met and failed to provide adequate safeguards for money obtained from investors.

For one of the developments, Absolute Living Developments requested completion payments from investors despite the development not being completed.

And the company signed charges over Absolute Living Developments’ assets, which meant that a third party owns them and there are no remaining assets in the liquidation to pay creditors.

An independent insolvency practitioner has been appointed in this case to investigate recovery of assets for the benefit of creditors.

The liquidator’s actions are ongoing and to date they have received claims from creditors in excess of £68 million.

Ken Beasley, Official Receiver for the Insolvency Service said: “This was a complex investigation, considering the amount of money that was invested, not all of the directors were based in the UK and we worked with several other authorities.

“We want to draw attention to these rogue directors so we can alert people about the risks involved when investing, while also warning that we will investigate and tackle those that set out to deliberately rip people off by misrepresenting the investment opportunity on offer.”

Disqualified directors

Kien Cheong Yew (40) from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Disqualified from 29 January 2018 to 28 January 2030 (12 years) as a result of an undertaking.

Ameerali Bin Abas (39) from Selangor, Malaysia. Disqualified from 27 June 2018 to 26 June 2027 (9 years) as a result of an undertaking.

Andrea Nicole Pacquiao Pieter (30) from Selangor, Malaysia. Disqualified from 20 March 2018 to 19 March 2027 (9 years) as a result of an undertaking.

Adrianne Mei Kwan Nyau (40) from The Wirral. Disqualified from 14 December 2017 to 13 December 2026 (9 years) as a result of an undertaking.

Chi Yeun Leong (68) from Bangsar, Malaysia. Disqualified from 21 December 2017 to 20 December 2026 (9 years) as a result of an undertaking.

Daniel Mark Harrison (38) from Kilburn North-West London. Disqualified from 28 November 2018 to 27 November 2024 (6 years) as a result of a court order.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/12/24/rogue-developers-banned-for-ripping-off-investors/

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Enzyme's unfrozen adventure: In crystallo protein thermodynamics

Researchers a have reported the first in crystallo thermodynamic analysis of copper amine oxidase catalysis using a non-cryocooled technique. The method, which analyzes protein crystals coated with a water-soluble polymer, rather than cryogenically cooled crystals, can be temperature-controlled, allowing for conformational changes to be monitored over a range of temperatures. Additionally, the conditions show parallels with the cytosol, meaning that the approach could provide a useful model for protein behavior in cells.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181220104320.htm

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Chemical synthesis breakthrough holds promise for future antibiotics

Chemistry researchers have developed a novel way to synthesize and optimize a naturally-occurring antibiotic compound that could one day be used to fight lethal drug-resistant infections such as Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as MRSA.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181220080006.htm

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3D-printed robot hand plays the piano

Scientists have developed a 3D-printed robotic hand which can play simple musical phrases on the piano by just moving its wrist. And while the robot is no virtuoso, it demonstrates just how challenging it is to replicate all the abilities of a human hand, and how much complex movement can still be achieved through design.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181220163200.htm

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Lean electrolyte design is a game-changer for magnesium batteries

Researchers have discovered a promising new version of high-energy magnesium batteries, with potential applications ranging from electric vehicles to battery storage for renewable energy systems.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181221123724.htm

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What do we see in a mirror?

Researchers have developed metasurfaces with extreme angle-asymmetric response. The new device can be a good or bad reflector depending on the angle the light hits it.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181221123837.htm

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Looking at molecules from two sides with table-top femtosecond soft-X-rays

Researchers have successfully combined a table-top laser-based extreme high-order harmonic source for short-pulse soft-X-ray absorption spectroscopy in the water window with novel flatjet technology. They are the first to demonstrate the simultaneous probing of carbon and nitrogen atoms in organic molecules in aqueous solution.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181221123831.htm

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Quantum tricks to unveil the secrets of topological materials

‘Topological materials’ produce electron states that can be very interesting for technical applications, but it is extremely difficult to identify these materials and their associated electronic states. A 'crystal’ made of light waves can now be used to deliberately drive the system out of equilibrium. By switching between simple and complicated states, the system reveals whether or not it has topologically interesting states.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181221123815.htm

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Chemists create new quasicrystal material from nanoparticle building blocks

Brown University researchers have discovered a new type of quasicrystal, a class of materials whose existence was thought to be impossible until the 1980s.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181220141106.htm

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£196m Barking rail extension awarded

A joint venture between Morgan Sindall and VolkerFitzpatrick has secured the London Overground rail extension from Barking to the planned 10,000 homes Riverside scheme.

Transport for London negotiated the deal with the joint venture for a price of £196m, including a new Barking Riverside station.

Balfour Beatty was the other contender left in the race after Carillion’s collapse last year.

The joint venture contractors will construct the 4.5 km extension of the Gospel Oak to Barking line.

Works include the modification of the existing railway lines from Barking station over a stretch of 3km with a new 1.5km railway viaduct extension from Renwick Road overbridge to the new terminus station.

This will involve constructing an embankment ramp up to the new concrete viaduct supporting a 2-track railway extension into the heart of the new residential development at Barking Riverside.

The extension is fully funded, with £172m of the overall cost of the scheme being met by the developers, Barking Riverside Limited.

Works to prepare the site have already taken place, including the demolition of several redundant Network Rail buildings and a disused ramp where the new viaduct will land.

The deal paves the way now for main works to start in May.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/12/21/196m-barking-rail-extension-awarded/

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Kier confirmed for part of Facebook office complex

Kier has confirmed it has secured the job to build part of Facebook’s headquarters in the London King’s Cross development.

The firm will build the 388,000 sq ft  ‘P2’ building at Lewis Cubitt Square, south of the main Facebook HQ complex to be delivered by BAM Construction.

The 12-storey scheme, the latest project being delivered as part of the 67 acre redevelopment, will primarily comprise of office accommodation over nine floors.

It will also include a 600-seat theatre with associated bar and front & back of house facilities.

Work has already begun on the pre-construction phase and P2 is due to be completed in 2021.

Peter Young, executive director, Kier Regional Building said: “Building on our extensive experience in the area, we are delighted to again be working at King’s Cross on this important new scheme.”

 

 

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/12/21/kier-confirmed-for-part-of-facebook-office-complex/

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Interserve lenders demand control of RMD Kwikform

Bankers thrashing out a debt reduction plan with Interserve are demanding control of the company’s profitable RMD Kwikform business.

Interserve  provided a progress report to the Stock Exchange this morning on its deleveraging plan.

It stated: “Consideration is also being given to whether it would be in stakeholders’ interests for the board to agree to lender requests for RMDK to be placed in a separate holding company owned by the lenders.”

RMD Kwikform has been estimated to be worth £250m-£300m and could be later sold off in a managed way rather than risking a cut-price deal in a fire-sale.

In the first half of this year, RMD delivered over £18m profit from revenue of nearly £100m, accounting for just under half of pre-exceptional group operating profit.

Interserve said it continues “construction discussions” with lenders to reduce its £650m debt pile.

It added that the banks are “fully supportive of Interserve’s business plan and management team.”

A proposed debt for equity swap would see banks write-off loans for shares wiping-out value for existing stakeholders.

Final terns of the deal are expected to be announced early in the New Year.

Debbie White, CEO of Interserve, said: “This progress on the Deleveraging Plan is excellent news for all our employees, customers and suppliers.

“It will provide us with a strong balance sheet and enable us to move forward with confidence and the ability to improve our business and deliver our long term strategy.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/12/21/interserve-lenders-demand-control-of-rmd-kwikform/

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Aberdeen bypass now misses Xmas opening deadline

Balfour Beatty and Galliford Try’s Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route consortium hasfailed to meet the latest big deadline to open all of the delayed project.

While 85% of the giant scheme is now open, the final key stretch at the Don Crossing continues to alluded the Aberdeen Roads Ltd consortium.

Now Scottish Transport Secretary Michael Matheson has warned that his office will not release any further payments for the structure until it has received firm commercial assurances.

Sources have revealed to the Enquirer that the bridge problems all come from movement with foundations early on in the project.

Delays and engineering problems have seen the £745m project fell behind schedule, with the expected cost now expected to be more than £1bn.

Last month Galliford Try revealed that its share of delays had cost it an extra £143m.

Contractors had pledged to open the final 4.5 mile section between Parkhill and Craibstone before Christmas.

Matheson said: “This week, ARL informed us it was no longer able to meet its own deadline of concluding works at the Don Crossing before Christmas.

“This is just over a fortnight since it set this deadline publicly in Parliament. I have consistently urged caution and realism about ARL’s ambitious timescales. Unfortunately, as disappointing as this news is, it comes as no surprise to me it has been unable to achieve this.

He added: “It is well known that ARL has experienced a series of technical issues during the construction of the Don Crossing.

“In order for this Government to protect the public purse, it is imperative that ARL provides the necessary technical and commercial assurances for the Don Crossing. We cannot and will not contemplate releasing payments for this structure without these critical assurances.

In terms of an opening date for this section, although ARL are forecasting January 2019, they have been unable to provide a definitive date.

All work on the 36-mile AWPR was initially set to be completed by spring, but it was delayed to autumn, and then until December.

 

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/12/21/aberdeen-bypass-now-misses-xmas-opening-deadline/

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Top Ten best read stories of 2018

The Enquirer is putting out its last daily newsletter of the year today as the industry winds-down for its traditional Christmas break.

The website will be updated with any major breaking stories during the holiday season with the full daily news service returning on January 2.

It has been another busy news year for construction as the Enquirer keeps the industry up to date with what is really going on.

Our most popular stories in 2018

(Number of times they were read)

Carillion goes into liquidation– (62,923 page views)

O’Rourke asks suppliers for extra time to pay bills – (32,904 page views)

Tower crane dropped load victim loses fight for life – (29,430 page views)

Spurs stadium builders earning more than the players – (29,001 page views)

Cracked beams at Liverpool hospital sparked Carillion collapse – (26,419 page views)

Carillion fall-out hits Van Elle and Speedy – (26,052 page views)

Rising debts force Kier to launch £264m rights issue – (25,137 page views)

Astrazeneca set to replace Skanska on delayed £500m HQ – 26,317 page views

Murphy cancels Christmas party as job cuts loom – (24,191 page views)

36-hour Hinkley Point concrete pour releases £70m – (24,114 page views)

The Enquirer enjoyed another year of growth as busy professionals turn to us for a fast and insightful news fix.

Our daily newsletter now has more than 49,000 subscribers.

Google Analytics show the Enquirer enjoyed more than 18 million page views this year from more than 2.6 million users – numbers which dwarf any of our traditional construction media rivals.

Google Analytics proof of our readership – something you won’t see on rival sites…..

Our growing band of advertisers enjoy industry leading response rates and all the details about booking a campaign for 2018 can be found here

Adverts were clicked on 120,000 times during the year generating a staggering 2,666 hours – or 111 days – viewing time of our advertisers’ websites by Enquirer readers.

The Enquirer awards are now a must-attend industry event while our recently launched Suppliers and Buyers Directory has already signed-up more than 3,000 firms from across the supply chain.

We’d like to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and here’s to a prosperous New Year after a well deserved break.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/12/21/top-ten-best-read-stories-of-2018/

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Suffolk contractor goes under owing £5m to suppliers

Suppliers to failed Suffolk fit-out and drylining contractor Radford Group are owed more than £5m.

The trade debt figure has been confirmed in documents filed this week at Companies House.

Radford Group went into creditors voluntary liquidation on October 31 when it was placed in the hands of  CVR Global .

Documents filed by the liquidator show Radford group went under owing £5.17m to trade creditors and £4.3m in inter-company loans.

Hundreds of suppliers are on the list of companies owed cash.

Latest accounts filed for Radford Group for the year to May 31 2017 show the firm made a pre-tax profit of £1.17m from a turnover of £31m.

The company’s website states: “The Radford Group are a specialist construction and fit-out company that deliver high quality builds to many of the country’s largest developers and investment groups.

“We offer a variety of services to our customers across London, Cambridge and surrounding areas to provide a comprehensive and cohesive package to deliver high quality, bespoke projects.

“With years of experience in the industry, our team of designers, quantity surveyors, project managers and on-site trades people are dedicated to designing and delivering work to the highest quality to suit your project budget and programme.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/12/21/suffolk-contractor-goes-under-owing-5m-to-suppliers/

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Go-ahead for £350m Commonwealth Games village

Contractor Lendlease has got the planning green light to start work on Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games athletes village.

As principal contractor, it will begin on site in early 2019 at the former Birmingham City University campus in Perry Barr where 1,400 homes will be built to initially accommodate 6,500 athletes.

The accommodation will also feature a running track and green spaces and is a short distance from Alexander Stadium where the track and field events will take place.

After the games in 2022, the properties will be converted to provide a range of tenures – social and affordable rent, homes for sale, and for private rent.

The development, unanimously approved by Birmingham City Council’s Planning Committee, will also include a retirement village and a community centre.

The council-led scheme has attracted £165m funding from central government and £20m from the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Since we announced our intention to bid for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, I’ve always said the event is about so much more than just 11 days of sport.

“The regeneration of Perry Barr will be the most tangible and transformative legacy we achieve as a result of hosting the Games, bringing investment and regeneration to area that has long been crying out for it.”

Waheed Nazir, Corporate Director for Economy at Birmingham City Council, said: “The fact that we have secured planning consent for such a scheme within 12 months of being awarded the Games demonstrates the ability of the public sector to drive forward major projects at pace.”

Future phases of the Perry Barr regeneration plan will be consulted on in 2019.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/12/21/go-ahead-for-350m-commonwealth-games-village/

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New study first to predict which oil and gas wells are leaking methane

A new study is the first to predict – with up to 87 percent accuracy – which oil and natural wells are most likely to be leaking methane.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181220104611.htm

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Researchers develop method to non-destructively measure the salt content of concrete structures

Using a compact neutron source, researchers have non-destructively measured the salt content of structures such as bridges, tunnels, and elevated roadways, which can suffer from degradation due to exposure to salt from seawater and other sources.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181220104614.htm

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New composite advances lignin as a renewable 3D printing material

Scientists have created a recipe for a renewable 3D printing feedstock that could spur a profitable new use for an intractable biorefinery byproduct: lignin.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181219124258.htm

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Discovery could lead to munitions that go further, much faster

Researchers have discovered a new way to get more energy out of energetic materials containing aluminum, common in battlefield systems, by igniting aluminum micron powders coated with graphene oxide.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181220104652.htm

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Predicting the properties of a new class of glasses

ZIF glasses, a new family of glass, could combine the transparency of silicate glass with the nonbrittle quality of metallic glass, according to researchers.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181220104725.htm

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Scientists program proteins to pair exactly

Proteins designed in the lab can now zip together in much the same way that DNA molecules zip up to form a double helix. The technique could enable the design of protein nanomachines that can potentially help diagnose and treat disease, allow for the more exact engineering of cells and perform a wide variety of other tasks. This technique provides scientists a precise, programmable way to control how protein machines interact.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181219133219.htm

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Study on low noise, high-performance transistors may bring innovations in electronics

A research study has demonstrated micro/nano-scale transistors made of two-dimensional atomic thin materials that show high performance and low noise. The devices are less than one-hundredth of the diameter of a single human hair and could be key to innovating electronics and precision sensing.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181219124313.htm

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Mighty morphing materials take complex shapes

Scientists have created a liquid crystal elastomer that can be molded into shapes that shift from one to another when heated. The material is intended for biomedical and robotics applications.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181220111802.htm

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A lung-inspired design turns water into fuel

Scientists have designed an electrocatalytic mechanism that works like a mammalian lung to convert water into fuel. Their research could help existing clean energy technologies run more efficiently.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181220111754.htm

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Scientists use magnetic defects to achieve electromagnetic wave breakthrough

Scientists have created small regions of magnetic defects. When electromagnetic plane waves interact with these defects, they are converted into helical waves, which encode more information for further materials studies.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181220104743.htm

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Micropores let oxygen and nutrients inside biofabricated tissues

Micropores in fabricated tissues such as bone and cartilage allow nutrient and oxygen diffusion into the core, and this novel approach may eventually allow lab-grown tissue to contain blood vessels, according to researchers.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181220104730.htm

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Preventing concrete bridges from falling apart

A new study examines the adverse effects of the adsorption of natural gas constituents found in our environment – and mixtures of several such gases – into one of the materials that make up concrete: cement hydrate. The author found that the preservation of concrete infrastructure from the corrosive effects would require effective pre-treatment.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181219124316.htm

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Robots with sticky feet can climb up, down, and all around

Researchers have created a micro-robot whose electroadhesive foot pads, inspired by the pads on a gecko’s feet, allow it to climb on vertical and upside-down conductive surfaces, like the inside walls of a commercial jet engine. Groups of them could one day be used to inspect complicated machinery and detect safety issues sooner, while reducing maintenance costs.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181219142549.htm

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Chemical catalyst turns 'trash' into 'treasure,' making inert C-H bonds reactive

New research demonstrates the ability to use a dirhodium catalyst to selectively functionalize C-H bonds in a streamlined manner, while also maintaining virtually full control of the three-dimensional shape of the molecules produced.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181219133225.htm

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Tender date for A66 North Trans-Pennine dualling

Highways England is aiming to invite tenders for the A66 North Trans-Pennine dualling in October 2019.

The agency set out its provisional timetable as it invited contractors to take part in market testing for the 50-mile strategic transport corridor between the M6 and A1(M) motorways.

Single carriageways sections total 21 miles with plans to also enhance capacity at the junctions at Scotch Corner on the A1 and M6 J40 at Penrith.

Consultant Arcadis is presently working up designs and economic and environmental assessments for the route.

Costings have still not been finalised but the project is expected to come in at over £800m.

The A66 is significantly under-utilised, with a poor safety record and only intermittent sections of dual carriageway adding to traffic volume and journey times.

Highways England is now releasing a market engagement questionnaire and plans to hold a scheme launch event in February 2019.

Interested contractors can email the NIP Market Engagement inbox  for details about the engagement day and the questionnaire.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/12/20/tender-date-for-a66-north-trans-pennine-dualling/

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Rail bonanza for Murphy, BAM Nuttall and Osborne

Network Rail has announced the winners of one of its largest deals under the Control Period 6 period for 2019-2024.

Places on the South of England framework have gone to J Murphy & Sons (Anglia), BAM Nuttall Limited (South East) and Geoffrey Osborne Limited (Wessex).

Renewals and enhancements work under the five-year framework will be worth at least £4bn across the Anglia, South East and Wessex regions.

The multi-discipline framework will deliver projects of varying value, including stations, buildings and civils, electrifications, power, signalling, telecommunications and track.

BAM Nuttall and Geoffrey Osborne already work in the region and have delivered schemes including a 100-hour blockade to replace a life-expired bridge in Wandsworth and the upgrade of Shoreham Viaduct.

Cameron Burns, Commercial Director Southern region, said: “Over the last few years we have made a shift towards working more collaboratively and closer to fewer key contractors, which has allowed us to deliver major improvements for passengers successfully and safely.

“Given that we are delivering in some of Britain’s busiest stations and on some of the most used routes into the capital, our ability to upgrade the railway with minimal impact on passengers is increasingly important.

“We want to build on this success for CP6 and the relationships we have with our suppliers, and we look forward to working with them all going forward.”

John Dowsett, Managing Director for Infrastructure at Osborne, said: “Winning this CP6 framework is highly significant for us – it sees us further strengthening our rail portfolio and continuing to work with Network Rail, who recognise and value the collaborative approach we bring.”

John Murphy, CEO of J Murphy and Sons said: “We are excited to be part of Network Rail’s strategic partnership to deliver CP6.

“This award continues our long partnership with them in renewing and enhancing infrastructure throughout the UK and will give us the chance to work together and drive innovation and improvements.

“It was a real team effort across Murphy, and the framework will leverage our engineering and rail capabilities across our whole business.”

Huw Jones, BAM’s Rail Director said: “This confirmation of our continued involvement allows us to invest with confidence in developing skills, our innovation pipeline and technology.

“We look forward to playing our part, demonstrating BAM’s commitment to creating sustainable solutions that enhance lives – including rail passengers and the communities where we work.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/12/20/rail-bonanza-for-murphy-bam-nuttall-and-osborne/

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