Jason Ford

Bristol

News Editor at The Engineer (magazine)

This is the personal account of a (now non-smoking) #MCFC & #depechemode loving journalist who is the patron of many pubs.

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Articles

Klein Vision unveils AirCar production prototype

1 month ago | theengineer.co.uk | Jason Ford

AirCar inventor and designer Stefan Klein unveiled the production prototype to a crowd of industry leaders at the 2025 Living Legends of Aviation Gala Dinner in Beverly Hills, California. The AirCar holds a Certificate of Airworthiness and has so far completed over 170 flight hours and more than 500 take-offs and landings. AirCar first appeared in The Engineer in 2021 after it had undertaken a flight from Nitra Airport to Bratislava Airport.
Impervio separator offers solution to thermal runaway

1 month ago | theengineer.co.uk | Jason Ford

The company’s Impervio separator suppresses dendrite growth, monitors cell activity, and signals the battery management system (BMS) to shut down the cell if necessary. In doing so, 24M said OEMs will be able to target recalls to specific affected units rather than recalling an entire model line, which can cost in the region of $1bn. Dendrites form when the metal ions (like lithium) deposit unevenly on the anode during charging, forming needle-like or branch-like structures.
Partnership set to produce graphene-based polymers for the hydrogen sector - The Engineer

1 month ago | theengineer.co.uk | Jason Ford

The collaboration brings together Levidian’s LOOP plasma technology, which converts pre-combustion methane into hydrogen and carbon, with Graphmatech’s proprietary graphene integration and dispersion technology for the production of novel materials including advanced composite materials. The carbon produced by Levidian’s LOOP system will be used to manufacture high-quality graphene.
Molecular additive shows promise for improved crop yields - The Engineer

1 month ago | theengineer.co.uk | Jason Ford

Developed by Cambridge-based Lambda agri, the molecular additive can be embedded into the plastics that make polytunnels to convert incoming UV light into red light. The patent pending molecule can also be spray painted onto greenhouses or incorporated into polytunnel films for new-builds. This light conversion is called luminescent downshifting, which enhances photosynthesis and has the potential to boost crop yields.
Nanophotonic lightguide keeps images always-in-focus

1 month ago | theengineer.co.uk | Jason Ford

This nanophotonic lightguide addresses VAC (Vergence-Accommodation Conflict), a common issue of visual discomfort, such as nausea and eye strain often associated with AR/VR/XR headsets. CEO and co-founder Dr Pawan Shrestha explained that AllFocal's proprietary technology projects digital images directly onto the user's retina, ensuring that the virtual content remains in focus regardless of how the eyes adjust to the surrounding environment. “Your retina becomes the ‘screen’.
Busroot to help tackle £150bn productivity gap

2 months ago | theengineer.co.uk | Jason Ford

Busroot, connecting factory machines, systems, and shifts to create a real-time, centralised view of operations, was part of the Innovate UK Smart Manufacturing Data Hub (SMDH) project, which aimed to help manufacturers, particularly SMEs, enhance their processes and digital capabilities. SMDH enabled Output Industries to further develop its technology through user feedback following deployment to over 20 manufacturers across various sectors.
The Engineer Q&A: Aurrigo CEO David Keene, the man that likes to say ‘yes’ - The Engineer

2 months ago | theengineer.co.uk | Jason Ford

What prompted automotive supplier RDM to diversify into autonomous vehicles with the formation of Aurrigo International? About 16 years ago, I was contacted by Lord Mandelson who was in the Labour government and at the time and had set up the UK Automotive Council. I was invited to go to the inaugural meeting, and I'm still there. During those sessions, they worked out the strategy for the UK and they got these six pillars of things that we needed to work on.
Aurrigo unveils autonomous heavy lift vehicle

2 months ago | theengineer.co.uk | Jason Ford

Auto-Cargo was unveiled yesterday (April 2, 2025) at Aurrigo HQ in Coventry as part of a project with Innovate UK, the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), supply chain specialists UPS and East Midlands Airport. David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo International plc, said: “This latest launch is another milestone moment for our business and extends our footprint in the aviation sector.
Brainwave reader helps people with MND communicate with thoughts - The Engineer

Mar 7, 2025 | theengineer.co.uk | Jason Ford

Amin Al-Habaibeh, Professor of Intelligent Engineering Systems within the Product Design team at NTU, wanted to support charities which help people with advanced Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Completely Locked-in Syndrome after his brother-in-law passed away aged 38 after having MND. The research has led to the development of an affordable brainwave reader made with off-the-shelf parts and a novel artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm developed by the research team.
GMG-led project to make lightweight eco-friendly monocoques - The Engineer

Mar 6, 2025 | theengineer.co.uk | Jason Ford

The project seeks to develop a stronger yet significantly lighter monocoque architecture, with a goal of reducing carbon intensity by 50 per cent over the next three years. Project M-LightEn (Monocoque architecture – Lightweight and Low Energy) is supported by Innovate UK and the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), with contributions from partners Carbon ThreeSixty, Constellium, and Brunel University of London. The collaboration is expected to generate up to 160 new jobs across GMG and its partners.