Category Archives: Engineering
Enhancing cellular immunotherapies in cancer by engineering selective therapeutic resistance – Nature.com
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Two OSU engineering professors receive NSF EAGER award to study ways to decarbonize heavy industries – Oklahoma State University
Friday, July 26, 2024
Media Contact: Desa James | Communications Coordinator | 405-744-2669 | desa.james@okstate.edu
Dr. Paritosh Ramanan, assistant professor of industrial engineering and management, and Dr. Zheyu Jiang, assistant professor of chemical engineering, were recently awarded the National Science Foundation EAGER award.
This two-year grant from the National Science Foundation serves as part of the NSF-wide Clean Energy Technology initiative to develop potentially transformative, convergent, fundamental solutions in clean energy technologies. The EAGER funding mechanism supports exploratory work in its preliminary stages on untested, but potentially transformative, research ideas or approaches.
In this newly funded project, titled "EAGER: CET: Decentralized Algorithms for Integrating Decarbonized Chemical Process Heating with Renewable-driven, Electric Power Systems," Ramanan and Jiang were awarded $299,050 to study systematic ways to more safely and effectively integrate renewable-driven electric power systems with the chemical and refining industries.
The U.S. manufacturing sector accounts for 20% of the countrys primary energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions. In particular, chemical and refining industries are responsible for nearly half of the manufacturing sectors primary energy consumption and GHG emissions, most of which are used exclusively for process heating. As the U.S. energy landscape continues to transition toward clean, renewable electricity, chemical process heating is also actively seeking electrification.
To support this ongoing trend, electrification of chemical process heating needs to be integrated with clean energy systems and accompanied by decarbonization of the electric grid. This requires a robust, real-time framework to facilitate information sharing between power system stakeholders and chemical plants.
As industrial decarbonization efforts accelerate, it becomes increasingly important to enable information sharing and collaborative decision-making among stakeholders while keeping sensitive local data private. I am thrilled to collaborate with Dr. Jiang on research that addresses these privacy and computational challenges, particularly in integrating the operations of diverse stakeholders such as chemical plants and renewable-driven power systems, Ramanan said.
In this project, Ramanan and Jiang will jointly develop new computational methodologies to enable secure, real-time information sharing among different stakeholders by ensuring the privacy of data, so that chemical plants and power systems can better coordinate their operations and maintenance to achieve holistic decarbonization across all stakeholders.
I am excited to work with Dr. Ramanan to tackle this critical issue by bringing together new, cross-cutting expertise and interdisciplinary perspectives from diverse fields, including chemical engineering, power systems, computational science and machine learning, Jiang said.
Story By: Natalie Henderson | Prospective Student Services Coordinator | natalie.henderson@okstate.edu
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ENGs Mark Grinstaff One of Six Researchers to Receive NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Awards | The Brink – Boston University
Biomedical engineer and his team will use the funds to develop a new vaccine technology
A new technology that could revolutionize vaccines has garnered Boston Universitys Mark Grinstaff one of just six inaugural Trailblazer Engineering Impact Awards from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The $3 million award will allow Grinstaff to explore new possibilities in the engineering of messenger RNA for vaccines with reduced side effects, along with other applications.
The vaccine weve created is effective at a 100-fold lower dose than is currently common, says Grinstaff, a William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor. Building on these early results, which have upended conventional wisdom, Grinstaff will lead an interdisciplinary BU team in further developing and testing the technology over the next three years. This award might open up new avenues of treatment that are not available today.
Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) technology gained fame as a key component in the vaccines that halted the COVID-19 pandemic. Adding modified mRNA to a cell can trigger the production of proteins, including antibodies that fight bacteria and viruses.
The messenger RNA vaccine is quite effective, says Grinstaff, who is also a professor of biomedical engineering in the College of Engineering and a professor of chemistry in the College of Arts & Sciences. However, there are some limitations to that technology. The amount of protein produced, which would then bring about the immune protection, is quite low. And the time span during which that protein is produced is very short. Thus, we have to re-dose, or we have to use large doses, to make the vaccine effective.
Grinstaffs doctoral students Joshua McGee (ENG24) and Jack Kirsch (ENG23) began studying one alternative: self-amplifying RNA (saRNA). McGee calls it a form of RNA that includes machinery to make more copies of itselfsort of like delivering a printed message along with a photocopier. That means a smaller dose of vaccine could last a lot longeror so researchers have been hoping for years. Unfortunately, for various reasons, study after study seemed to show that the saRNA method was a pipe dream.
Grinstaffs team tackled it anyway. After much iteration, they introduced a kind of modified cell building block, called an NTP, into an saRNA. When formulated as a vaccine, this combination protected against lethal SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease) in live animal models at dramatically lower dosage levels than required of standard mRNA vaccines.
And if we have low doses, that might mean fewer side effects, says Grinstaff. And maybe even multiple vaccinations in a single shot, or one vaccine that would protect against all the current variants. The team published their findings in Nature Biotechnology.
saRNA could revolutionize vaccines and gene/cell therapy, making them more potent, less expensive, and more accessible, says Grinstaffs collaborator Wilson Wong, an ENG associate professor of biomedical engineering.
Beyond vaccines, the technology carries potential implications for combating genetic diseases and cancer, which Grinstaff and colleagues will also study. We have a way to produce a protein with an intramuscular injection, says Grinstaff. It could be a protein thats missing in your body because of a genetic disease.
Much work remains, but the experience has already taught McGee a powerful lesson. It is OK to challenge widely held scientific ideas, he says. I am fortunate for the support that Mark provided in allowing us to explore this research direction that was likely to fail, per the 10-plus published articles that said so. It is through the process of challenging ideas that innovation is born.
In addition to McGee, Kirsch, and other doctoral students in BUs biomedical engineering, chemistry, and virology, immunology, and microbiology (VIM) programs, Grinstaff and Wong are working with Florian Douam, an assistant professor of VIM programs, and a Peter Paul Career Development Professor at BUs Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, and a researcher at the BU National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories. Although the NSF grant is an individual award for Grinstaff, it nonetheless recognizes the groundbreaking and ongoing work of a collection of experts. Its quite nice to see all of these people come together over a single theme of research, says Grinstaff. Thats one of the strengths of BU.
Still, Grinstaff is the right researcher to receive the NSF award, his colleagues say. Mark is a visionary pioneer who has made seminal contributions to multiple disciplines, such as biomaterials, drug delivery, and nanotechnology, says Wong. He is also a proven leader who can bring our community together to do great science. He is precisely the type of leader and trailblazer that we should celebrate, and I am proud to be his colleague and collaborator.
Through the Trailblazer program, NSF is enabling innovative researchers to explore new directions beyond todays frontiers, says Susan Margulies, NSF assistant director for engineering. Our investment will lead to engineering impacts in biotechnology, sustainability, quantum technology, and other areas that ultimately strengthen US resilience and competitiveness.
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Leadership transition in Engineering Management Program – University of Colorado Boulder
Christy Bozic, faculty director of the Engineering Management Program,will be leaving CU Boulder at the end of July to pursue a new opportunity at Duke University. This is a significant loss for us but an incredible opportunity for Christy.
Christy joined our faculty in 2014 and has been serving as the Lockheed Martin Professor of Engineering Management and faculty director of EMPsince 2019. In addition to teaching classes in project management, engineering economicsand engineering management, Christy has been an exceptional leader who has elevated the stature of our program.
The Pratt School of Engineering at Duke is fortunate to have her taking the reins of their engineering management program, where I am sure she will do great things. Please join me in wishing Christy continued success as she heads to North Carolina.
With Christys departure, Im pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Gazarik as the Interim Director of the Engineering Management Program.
Mike has served the college in numerous roles. In addition to serving on our Engineering Advisory Council, Mike has lectured in both the Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences and EMP.
Early in his career, Mike led the creation of the Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA headquarters and served as its first associate administrator, where he championed NASA's rapid development and adoption of transformative technologies.
With his recent retirement from Ball Aerospace (now BAE), Mike will be joining CU Boulder as a full-time scholar in residence in the Engineering Management Program. I am eager to see continued growth and innovation for this important program under Mikes leadership.
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Leadership transition in Engineering Management Program - University of Colorado Boulder
Frontiers of Fungal Engineering: NASAs Mycotecture for Lunar and Martian Habitats – SciTechDaily
Bricks produced using mycelium, yard waste and wood chips as a part of the myco-architecture project. Similar materials could be used to build habitats on the Moon or Mars. Credit: 2018 Stanford-Brown-RISD iGEM Team
NASA is exploring the use of fungi to build habitats for missions to the Moon and Mars.
The mycotecture project, which has received $2 million for further development, could create sustainable, compact habitats that grow on-site, potentially transforming space construction and resource management.
As NASAprepares for long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars for the benefit of all, a habitat-growing concept selected Wednesday by the agency could help grow homes using fungi for future explorers. A team of researchers at NASA Ames Research Center in Californias Silicon Valley will receive new funding under the NASAs Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program to propel their habitat research.
The Phase III NIAC award will provide $2 million over two years to continue technology development of the Mycotecture Off Planet project in preparation for a potential future demonstration mission. The work is led by Lynn Rothschild, a senior research scientist at NASA Ames.
As NASA prepares to explore farther into the cosmos than ever before, it will require new science and technology that doesnt yet exist said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. NASAs space technology team and the NIAC program unlock visionary ideas ideas that make the impossible, possible. This new research is a stepping stone to our Artemis campaign as we prepare to go back to the Moon to live, to learn, to invent, to create then venture to Mars and beyond.
Graphic depiction of Myco-architecture off planet: growing surface structures at destination. Credit: L. Rothschild
Some habitats, such as landers and rovers, will be delivered to planetary surfaces. However, the mycotecture project team is developing technologies that could grow habitats on the Moon, Mars, and beyond using fungi and the underground threads that comprise the main part of fungi, known as mycelia. With this development, explorers could travel with a compact habitat built out of lightweight material containing dormant fungi. By adding water, fungi can potentially grow around that framework into a fully functional human habitat, while being safely contained to avoid contaminating the environment.
We are committed to advancing technologies to transport our astronauts, house our explorers, and facilitate valuable research, said Walt Engelund, associate administrator for Programs in the Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. We invest in these technologies throughout their lifecycle, recognizing their potential to help us accomplish our goals benefiting industry, our agency, and humanity.
The mycotecture project could enable a new, multi-use material for in-space construction, reducing mass and saving resources for additional mission priorities. The proof of concept for this technology was demonstrated through earlier NIAC awards. The team created multiple combinations of fungal-based biocomposites, fabricated prototypes, tested materials in a planetary simulator, evaluated enhancements including incorporating radiation protection, and drafted detailed mycelium-based Moon habitat designs. This project also has uses on Earth in addition to applications on other worlds. Mycelia could be used for water filtration and systems that extract minerals from wastewater.
From deep space human exploration to advanced propulsion and robotics, NASA aims to change the possible by supporting early-stage space technology research that could radically change the future.
Mycotecture Off Planet exemplifies how advanced concepts can change how we envision future exploration missions, said John Nelson, NIAC Program Executive. As NASA embarks on the next era of space exploration, NIAC helps the agency lay the necessary groundwork to bring innovative visions to life.
Work under the Phase III award will allow the research team to optimize material properties. It also will enable the team to progress toward testing in low Earth orbit. Future applications of this project could include integration into commercial space stations or infusion into missions to the Moon with the ultimate goal of use on Mars.
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts supports visionary, early-stage research ideas through multiple progressive phases of study. In January 2024, NASA announced 19 Phase I and Phase II proposal selections. NASAs Space Technology Mission Directorate, which is responsible for developing the new cross-cutting technologies and capabilities the agency needs to achieve its current and future missions, funds NIAC activities.
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Frontiers of Fungal Engineering: NASAs Mycotecture for Lunar and Martian Habitats - SciTechDaily
Reducing inefficiencies: Wright interns at PepsiCo – University of Missouri College of Engineering
July 26, 2024
Meet Ellise Wright, a junior biomedical engineering student. She chose the major at Mizzou Engineering because of its cross-disciplinary reach and her ability to explore many facets of engineering, such as circuitry, mechanics, biology and chemistry, among others, through the program.
I took my first engineering-based class in high school where I saw engineering as a field for driving positive impact on the world through innovation, she said. I chose biomedical engineering because I liked the idea of being able to improve the world through engineering while playing to my strengths in problem-solving, mathematics and physics.
This summer, Wright is in Phoenix, Arizona, completing an internship at PepsiCo. We asked her a few questions about the experience.
I am currently a Supply Chain Intern at the PepsiCo Phoenix, Arizona, manufacturing plant where I work in the quality department. My primary responsibility is to work on observing current sanitation and operating procedures on the production floor and finding opportunities to improve current documentation and efficiency of workflow for sanitation procedures.
Typically, my days always look a little different. They usually consist of connecting with my manager to communicate daily goals. From there, I will partner with the quality/sanitation technicians, supervisors and production operators to observe and take notes on procedures. When I am not busy observing a procedure, I will update documentation to provide a more detailed and user-friendly guide with visuals. I will also look for better ways to store equipment to improve workflow.
Through projects in my courses, I have learned how to identify and solve problems. Core classes have given me knowledge on how to apply physical principles to help reduce inefficiencies within processes and provide numerical justification for solutions.
Involvement with organizations within the College of Engineering, such as the Society of Women Engineers, has helped me develop professionally and given me the skills to properly communicate in the workplace.
Mizzou Engineering Career Services helped me improve ways to advocate and market myself online and in person with recruiters. A resume is one of the first impressions recruiters have and Mizzou Engineering Career Services helps me update and perfect my resume every year. The Engineering Career Fair at Mizzou has helped me learn how to develop an elevator pitch and interact with companies. These skills helped secure my internship when meeting PepsiCo at the WE23 conference.
I have definitely enjoyed working with others at PepsiCo the most! My role requires me to interact with supervisors and technicians daily and every day I get to learn so much from their experiences. The atmosphere they create allows me to freely ask questions and learn something new and exciting every day.
The biggest takeaway for me has been learning how much work goes into the process of making something from start to finish and all the pieces that fit into it. Getting something from the production floor to a grocery store shelf takes a lot of careful planning and work.
Do not be afraid to take that first step and network. Becoming involved within the College of Engineering has been instrumental for me in connecting me with companies and helping me grow professionally. Go to the career fair, that first meeting or whatever it may be. It may be intimidating to have a conversation with a recruiter or to get that first internship, but it is so rewarding when you put yourself out there. You never know who you will end up meeting or where it will take you.
Earn an engineering degree at a college that supports students careers.Choose Mizzou Engineering!
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Reducing inefficiencies: Wright interns at PepsiCo - University of Missouri College of Engineering
Mizzou Engineering student places third in global research competitions – University of Missouri College of Engineering
July 26, 2024
At Mizzou Engineering, students are encouraged to fearlessly ask questions and explore more effective research methods.For Ray Wood, a masters student in industrial engineering, this education has resulted in notable achievements, including third-place finishes in two prestigious global research competitions.
This summer, Wood placed third in the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) Global Undergraduate Student Technical Paper Competition. He also placed third in the IISE Operations Research Undergraduate Research Competition.
Rays two international IISE awards are a first for our department, Jim Noble, department chair, said. Were excited to see his research recognized amongst all the work being done by emerging industrial engineers.
Wood presented his paper, A Mixed Integer Programming Approach to Enhancing Throughput and Reducing Production Costs of Manufacturing Eco-Friendly Hair Extensions, for all three awards. This paper is part of his thesis project. Sharan Srinivas, an assistant professor and director of graduate studies in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, serves as Woods M.S. project advisor and is a co-principal investigator on the supporting grant.
Both research competitions took place at the IISE Annual Conference in Montreal, Canada. Prior to these, Wood secured first place in the IISE regional competition at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Additionally, he received an honorable mention in the 2023 Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award category at the Center for Excellence in Logistics and Distribution (CELDi) Annual Meeting and Research Symposium.
Our tradition of success continues to inspire excellence and innovation. Discover more about the dynamic field ofindustrial engineering at Mizzou!
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Why the three-body problem remains unsolved after centuries – Interesting Engineering
Imagine a cosmic dance of three celestial bodies, each exerting its gravitational pull on the others.
This is the essence of the three-body problem, a mathematical conundrum that has perplexed astronomers and physicists for centuries. Recently, this age-old scientific problem has captured public imagination, thanks to a popular Netflix series based on Liu Cixins acclaimed science fiction novel.
At its core, the three-body problem asks a simple question: Can we predict the motions of three objects in space, such as stars or planets, as they interact gravitationally? The answer, surprisingly, is not as straightforward.
The challenge lies in the complexity of the calculations required. Unlike the two-body problem, which can be solved with relative ease, adding a third body introduces a level of intricacy that has thus far eluded a comprehensive mathematical solution.
The three-body problems origins trace back to astronomys modern foundations. In the early 1600s, Keplers laws of planetary motion revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos. Building on this, Newton developed his laws of motion and universal gravitation later that century.
These advancements allowed precise calculations for two-body systems in space. However, adding just one more body revealed a puzzle that continues to challenge scientists today. The three-body problem emerged as a complex issue that defied the elegant solutions that worked for simpler systems.
This historical context illuminates why the problem remains significant, bridging centuries of astronomical and mathematical research while highlighting both our progress and the mysteries that persist in celestial mechanics.
Newtons contributions were twofold: not only did he elucidate the principles of planetary motion, but in doing so, he also invented an entirely new branch of mathematics calculus. This powerful tool, while the bane of many a high school student, has become indispensable in our quest to understand the physical world.
Newtons theory works flawlessly for two-body systems, such as the Earth-Moon duo, and even approximates well for certain three-body systems where one bodys mass is negligible compared to the other two, like the Sun-Earth-Moon system.
However, Newton himself recognized the limitations of his theory when applied to more complex scenarios, such as the interactions between the Sun, Earth, and Jupiter.
The problem arises from the subtle gravitational perturbations that occur when the orbits of Earth and Jupiter align with the Sun.
These small tugs worried Newton, who feared they might eventually destabilize the entire solar system. Unable to reconcile this mathematically, Newton resorted to a divine explanation, positing that God occasionally intervened to maintain cosmic stability.
It wasnt until over a century later that the French mathematician Pierre-Simon Laplace, often referred to as the French Newton, tackled this problem anew.
Laplace developed perturbation theory, an extension of Newtons calculus, to address the issue. His calculations suggested that despite Jupiters massive size, its gravitational effects on Earths orbit largely cancel out over time due to its distance, thus maintaining the stability of planetary orbits.
While Laplaces work provided some reassurance for our solar system, it didnt solve the general three-body problem.
As we peer beyond our cosmic neighborhood, we find that up to 85 percent of the billions of stars in the universe exist in binary or multiple-star systems. This underscores the importance of understanding the dynamics of three-body systems for comprehending the broader universe.
The crux of the challenge lies in the chaotic nature of three-body interactions.
While we can analyze the current positions of three celestial bodies, predicting their future positions becomes increasingly difficult. The slightest change in initial conditions can lead to vastly different outcomes, a hallmark of chaotic systems.
This sensitivity to initial conditions is often popularized as the butterfly effect, where a butterfly flapping its wings in Brazil could theoretically cause a tornado in Texas.
This unpredictability doesnt preclude the existence of stable three-body systems.
Science fiction aficionados might recall the binary star system of Tatooine in Star Wars. Such scenarios fall under whats known as the restricted three-body problem, where the third object (in this case, a planet) has a mass significantly smaller than the other two.
In these cases, if the planets orbit is sufficiently distant, it experiences the gravitational effects of the binary stars as if they were a single object, allowing for stable orbits.
However, as soon as that smaller body moves closer or gains significant mass, all bets are off, and the full complexity of the three-body problem comes into play. This complexity scales up dramatically as we consider systems with four, five, or even thousands of bodies, such as in dense star clusters.
Despite centuries of effort, a general solution to the three-body problem remains elusive. However, modern researchers are employing innovative approaches to tackle this age-old question.
A consortium of European universities is exploring the use of neural networks and machine learning techniques to model three-body interactions.
One particularly intriguing approach borrows from probability theory, utilizing the concept of a drunkards walk.
This model, based on the random movements of an inebriated person, is being adapted to calculate the probabilities of different outcomes in three-body systems.
While this method shows promise, its still a far cry from a comprehensive solution that can account for all the forces at play in real celestial systems.
The three-body problem stands as a testament to the intricate beauty of our universe and the ongoing quest to understand it. As we continue to push the boundaries of mathematics and computational power, the solution to the three-body problem may one day unlock new insights into the dance of celestial bodies and our place among them.
Moreover, the implications of solving the three-body problem extend far beyond pure academic interest.
A deeper understanding of multi-body dynamics could revolutionize our approach to space exploration, improving our ability to navigate complex gravitational fields and potentially opening up new possibilities for interstellar travel.
It could also enhance our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution, shedding light on the cosmic processes that shaped our universe.
As Liu Cixin aptly put it, The physics principles behind the three-body problem are very simple Its mainly a math problem. This deceptively simple statement encapsulates the fascinating dichotomy at the heart of the three-body problem: while the underlying physical principles are well understood, the mathematical complexity of their interactions defies our current analytical capabilities.
In conclusion, the three-body problem stands as a bridge between the known and the unknown, the solved and the unsolvable. It continues to challenge our brightest minds, inspiring new generations of scientists and mathematicians to look up at the night sky and wonder about the cosmic ballet unfolding above us.
NEWSLETTER
Stay up-to-date on engineering, tech, space, and science news with The Blueprint.
Deena Theresa A creative writer and journalist with a Master's degree in International Journalism, Deena's repertoire of work includes writing for Indian dailies like The New Indian Express and reading news on primetime television for a regional broadcaster. Having grown up in three countries, this third-culture kid feels that home is everywhere, and nowhere. Deena loves to dabble in music and art and believes that the latter and science share a symbiotic relationship.
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Why the three-body problem remains unsolved after centuries - Interesting Engineering
NATOs next-gen rotorcraft contracts awarded to Lockheed, Airbus, Leonardo – Interesting Engineering
NATO has awarded contracts to Airbus, Leonardo, and Lockheed Martin to develop concepts for medium-lift military helicopters. The alliance plans to deliver the new class of medium-lift military helicopters by 2035- 2040.
The awarding of these contracts officially begins NGRCs Concept Study 5, dedicated to medium lift rotary capabilities.
Although NATO didnt disclose the contract values, earlier tenders suggest each is worth $6.2 million.
These three contractors will provide valuable, independent perspectives on potential integrated platform concepts that can meet the NGRC challenge, aiming to identify and exploit cutting-edge technologies to meet the NGRC operational and supportability capabilities, as well as seeking innovation in digital design and development processes and advanced materials and manufacturing, NATO stated.
For the needs of the study, Airbus will collaborate with RTXs Collins Aerospace, Raytheon, and MBDA over the next 13 months to analyze two integrated concepts for next-generation military rotorcraft.
According to the French giant, participating in this NATO study for next-generation military rotorcraft provides a unique chance to leverage their experience with European armed forces. The goal is to create a European solution that meets NATOs needs and guarantees industrial sovereignty and engineering expertise across Europe.
This project will be fully interoperable with other NATO means. With our experience in both civil and military helicopter design, we are convinced that we have the right cost effective, high performance, and operationally efficient solutions at Airbus Helicopters for the next generation of military rotorcraft, said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters.
After four years of development, the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) program is expected to aid in replacing outdated units from the 1960s with a modern airframe and advanced propulsion technology.
The 13-month studies acknowledge that many of NATOs medium multirole helicopter fleets are aging, with a significant number nearing the end of their life cycle between 2035 and 2040, as many of these designs date back to the previous century.
Lockheed Martin highlighted its X2 rotorcraft as a next-generation technology, while Leonardo, in partnership with Bell Helicopter, is advancing the tiltrotor V-280 Valor, which is nearing Milestone B under the US Armys Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program.
Building on the 40+ year legacy supporting frontline global missions, Lockheed Martin Sikorsky looks forward to continuing this trusted partnership with NATO. Extending Lockheed Martin Sikorskys technical expertise in developing advanced rotorcraft systems, we have assembled a group of leading companies from European Industry to support the execution of NGRC Study #5, saidAndy Adams, vice president of Lockheed Martin Sikorsky Future Vertical Lift.
The NGRC program will replace various helicopters, including AW101s, UH-60 Black Hawks, Super Pumas, and NH90s. Although the UK initially joined the NGRC, it is now focusing on its own New Medium Helicopter program.
NEWSLETTER
Stay up-to-date on engineering, tech, space, and science news with The Blueprint.
Bojan Stojkovski Bojan Stojkovski is a freelance journalist based in Skopje, North Macedonia, covering foreign policy and technology for more than a decade. His work has appeared in Foreign Policy, ZDNet, and Nature.
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NATOs next-gen rotorcraft contracts awarded to Lockheed, Airbus, Leonardo - Interesting Engineering
Investors Appear Satisfied With Lloyds Engineering Works Limited’s (NSE:LLOYDSENGG) Prospects As Shares Rocket 25% – Simply Wall St
Lloyds Engineering Works Limited (NSE:LLOYDSENGG) shares have continued their recent momentum with a 25% gain in the last month alone. The annual gain comes to 133% following the latest surge, making investors sit up and take notice.
Following the firm bounce in price, you could be forgiven for thinking Lloyds Engineering Works is a stock to steer clear of with a price-to-sales ratios (or "P/S") of 16.4x, considering almost half the companies in India's Machinery industry have P/S ratios below 3.2x. Although, it's not wise to just take the P/S at face value as there may be an explanation why it's so lofty.
View our latest analysis for Lloyds Engineering Works
Lloyds Engineering Works certainly has been doing a great job lately as it's been growing its revenue at a really rapid pace. It seems that many are expecting the strong revenue performance to beat most other companies over the coming period, which has increased investors willingness to pay up for the stock. You'd really hope so, otherwise you're paying a pretty hefty price for no particular reason.
There's an inherent assumption that a company should far outperform the industry for P/S ratios like Lloyds Engineering Works' to be considered reasonable.
Taking a look back first, we see that the company grew revenue by an impressive 100% last year. The latest three year period has also seen an incredible overall rise in revenue, aided by its incredible short-term performance. Therefore, it's fair to say the revenue growth recently has been superb for the company.
When compared to the industry's one-year growth forecast of 15%, the most recent medium-term revenue trajectory is noticeably more alluring
With this information, we can see why Lloyds Engineering Works is trading at such a high P/S compared to the industry. Presumably shareholders aren't keen to offload something they believe will continue to outmanoeuvre the wider industry.
The strong share price surge has lead to Lloyds Engineering Works' P/S soaring as well. While the price-to-sales ratio shouldn't be the defining factor in whether you buy a stock or not, it's quite a capable barometer of revenue expectations.
It's no surprise that Lloyds Engineering Works can support its high P/S given the strong revenue growth its experienced over the last three-year is superior to the current industry outlook. At this stage investors feel the potential continued revenue growth in the future is great enough to warrant an inflated P/S. If recent medium-term revenue trends continue, it's hard to see the share price falling strongly in the near future under these circumstances.
You need to take note of risks, for example - Lloyds Engineering Works has 4 warning signs (and 1 which is a bit unpleasant) we think you should know about.
It's important to make sure you look for a great company, not just the first idea you come across. So if growing profitability aligns with your idea of a great company, take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with strong recent earnings growth (and a low P/E).
Our new AI Stock Screener scans the market every day to uncover opportunities.
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Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
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