IET Lancashire and Cumbria Events

Our Earth has shown wild variations in climate over the last few hundred million years. The ultimate driver of climate is the Sun, which has increased in luminosity by 30% over it's 4,500 million year current life. We will see how the sun works and how it influences the Earth and our climate on ever shorter time scales, including the 11 year sunspot cycle. Finally, we will see how recently CO2 has become increasingly important and look at the most likely future.

Our Earth has shown wild variations in climate over the last few hundred million years. The ultimate driver of climate is the Sun, which has increased in luminosity by 30% over it's 4,500 million year current life. We will see how the sun works and how it influences the Earth and our climate on ever shorter time scales, including the 11 year sunspot cycle. Finally, we will see how recently CO2 has become increasingly important and look at the most likely future.

Our Earth has shown wild variations in climate over the last few hundred million years. The ultimate driver of climate is the Sun, which has increased in luminosity by 30% over it's 4,500 million year current life. We will see how the sun works and how it influences the Earth and our climate on ever shorter time scales, including the 11 year sunspot cycle. Finally, we will see how recently CO2 has become increasingly important and look at the most likely future.

Our Earth has shown wild variations in climate over the last few hundred million years. The ultimate driver of climate is the Sun, which has increased in luminosity by 30% over it's 4,500 million year current life. We will see how the sun works and how it influences the Earth and our climate on ever shorter time scales, including the 11 year sunspot cycle. Finally, we will see how recently CO2 has become increasingly important and look at the most likely future.

An evening talk with Michael Mifsud and Suman Dhargupta exploring how Artificial Intelligence is transforming the way complex engineering systems are designed, developed, tested and deployed. Drawing on real-world experience from across Aerospace, Defence, National Security, Telecommunications and other sectors, the session will examine how AI is being applied across the engineering lifecycle, from Requirements and Design to Manufacturing, Integration, Delivery and Through-Life Support.

Born in Thursby, Sir Thomas Bouch designed over 300 miles of railway and large bridges throughout Scotland and northern England. As well as telling something of Bouch's life and times, John will show that many of his earlier works in Cumbria were particularly ambitious & innovative although he now remains the main scapegoat for the Tay Bridge disaster.

More and more photographs are taken each year yet the vast majority of those are snapped using a smartphone and not a traditional dedicated camera. It is amazing how the camera has become such an essential feature of the mobile phone.

Mosquitos were an essential part of Britain's Air Force in WW2 but, being made of wood, none had survived. This project was to build a new one and regain its 'Airworthiness Certificate'

The talk will include a brief history of English Bell ringing with a particular emphasis on its development at the time of the Reformation, We will use explanation, a few practical activities, pictures, very short films, stories, artifacts, models, diagrams and discussion etc

The Edwardian Gentleman's Launch was the Rolls Royce of steamboat luxury. This is the story of the SL Shamrock, where she came from and where she is now, and the issues of restoring, maintaining and operating her. We also follow the various propulsion systems she has had over the years.

Sustainability is often associated with reducing carbon emissions and adopting circular economy principles, but true sustainability extends far beyond environmental performance. This talk explores the ethical challenges that underpin modern manufacturing and global supply chains, including resource depletion, waste generation, child and forced labour, critical minerals, fast fashion, food waste, and end-of-life product management. Through real-world case studies, the presentation examines the difficult balance between profitability, environmental responsibility, and social justice, while discussing how engineers, manufacturers, researchers, policymakers and consumers can contribute to a more transparent, ethical and truly circular economy. The session aims to encourage reflection on the responsibilities of engineering in shaping a sustainable future for both people and the planet.

This illustrated talk will detail the technical development of the Waterbird 'hydro-aeroplane' which first flew at Windermere in 1911 and of the replica which first flew at Windermere in 2022.