The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has signed an agreement with wind engineering specialist Bladena to test blade reinforcement technology in an attempt to extend the operational life of offshore wind turbines. The full-scale testing programme at ORE Catapult’s National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth will use an 88-m blade to carry out unique full-scale torsional load tests – the first of its kind conducted by ORE Catapult and understood to be an industry first. It will show how Bladena’s reinforcement technology performs under the twisting forces it could experience out at sea.

More information https://ore.catapult.org.uk/

Protolabs is introducing new textured surfaces for prototyping and series production.From the automotive and aerospace industries to medical technology, the new service provides more control of surface texture when 3D printing, opening the possibility to create leather-like structures or geometric patterns. The leather-like surface structure in particular opens new application possibilities – especially in the automotive industry. Additively manufactured leather structures could therefore soon become a sustainable and more animal-friendly alternative to conventional leather.

More information www.protolabs.com

The UK’s top young STEM innovators and finalists in ‘The Big Bang Competition’ were invited to Westminster recently as part of EngineeringUK’s annual ‘Big Bang at Parliament’ event, where they met MPs and showcased their impressive projects. A total of 20 students from eight schools across the country attended the event, which celebrates young people’s creativity and innovation in STEM. They were joined by parliamentarians, guests from the engineering and technology community, and Siemens, which supports the event. Entries to The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition 2026 are now open.

More information www.thebigbang.org.uk

A new independent policy centre has been established to give the UK’s vast network of SMEs in manufacturing and engineering a unified, influential voice in the corridors of power. More than 325,000 SMEs, in the engineering and manufacturing sectors, often supply chain businesses, are the backbone of the UK economy, driving innovation, job creation and growth. The centre’s mission is to engage SMEs directly, to unify and amplify their voices as an independent arbiter that brings together industry, industry bodies, policy organisations and government.  

More information https://enginuity.org/