N is for Nanotechnology

is for Nanotechnology






Whilst nanotechnology is quite a recent area of growth it's core theories have been in development since the 80s. At a basic level it is the engineering and manipulation of functional systems at a molecular scale. This technology allows for things to be created at a much smaller scale and will be used in the future in the manufacture of PCB electronics allowing for the creation of tiny electronic devices.

M is for Motor

is for Motor






Motors are used to convert energy into more useful mechanical motion and are regularly used in engineering projects. Heat engines such as internal combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat and cause motion. DC Motors on the other hand use electricity to provide motion usually with a combination of conductors carrying a current and electro-magnetic fields.

L is for LED

is for LED




Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are semiconducter light sources with many different uses. They have been very popular as indicator lights in electronic circuits and have found many other uses for lighting things such as TV screens. They have a very long life, use very little energy and produce very low levels of heat compared to other options. They are a popular choice for the output of a circuit when teaching electronics in schools along  with DC motors.

K is for Kilowatt

is for Kilowatt





The kilowatt is another unit of measure often found in electrical engineering. It is equal to 1000 watts and is often used to show the power that is output by things like heaters, machines, DC motors and tools.

J is for Joule

is for Joule





The Joule is a unit of energy that is equal to the energy expended applying one newton through the distance of one metre. The Joule is just one of many technical units that you will need to know before undertaking many bespoke engineering projects.

I is for Inductor

is for Inductor





An inductor is an electrical component that stores energy in its magnetic field. It was first devised by Michael Faraday who we mentioned earlier. It is similar to a capacitor which stores energy in an electrical field and a resistor which doesn't store energy but dissipates it as heat.

Inductors are mostly used in analog circuits and signal processing. They are usually constructed with a coil, usually made of copper, wrapped around a magnetic core. The vast number of types of inductors make them common components in bespoke engineering.

H is for Hybrid Vehicles

is for HYBRID VEHICLES








Hybrid vehicles combine traditional combustion engines with electric propulsion systems, most commonly DC motors. Hybrids charge their batteries by regenerative braking. The kinetic energy from the process of braking is transferred to electrical energy instead of being wasted. Some also have a electrical generator which is caused to spin by the combustion engine.

Hybrid vehicles reduce carbon emissions and fuel costs and have gained in popularity over the last few years but companies are now starting to move towards completely electric vehicles.

G is for Gears

is for Gears






Gears are rotating machine parts regularly found in mechanical engineering. Sets of gears are called transmission and their primary purpose is to transmit torque. The advantage of gears over something similar like wheels in a pulley is the grip that is created from the interlocking teeth.

Gears are available in a massive range of sizes and types and a regularly used in bespoke engineering projects.

F is for Faraday

is for FARADAY







Michael Faraday is one of the most famous scientists in history. Despite having basically no formal education in the areas he excelled in he made many discoveries and invented concepts that would shape the fields of science and technology for years to come.

One of his biggest accomplishments was the discovery and research into electromagnetism. His research and the work on it by others since is the reason why things like DC motors exist and make our life better every day.

It has been suggested that Einstein had a picture of Faraday on his study wall.

E is for Electrical Engineering

is for ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING






Electrical engineering is the study and practice of using electricity, electronics and electromagnetism in engineering projects. It only became a recognised field of study and employment in the nineteenth century with the introduction of the electric telegraph and power supply.

Electrical engineers typically use a whole range of things in their work from resistors and transistors to printed circuit boards and DC motors.