News Archives - General News

Scientist uses sunflower oil to cook up pothole prevention

Inspired by a cooking technique demonstrated on the Spanish version of Masterchef, Dr Alvaro Garcia, from the Nottingham Transportation Engineering Centre (NTEC), was inspired to use microcapsules of sunflower oil to create self-repairing road surfaces. As cracks appear in the road surface, tiny capsules break open to release oil, which has the effect of softening the surrounding asphalt. This helps…

What future for the electric motorcycle?

Electric cars offer an answer to the air pollution that kills 50,000 a year in Britain alone, but they remain expensive and a challenge to charge. Motorcycle manufacturers are as painfully aware of the writing on the wall for the internal combustion engine as their car making colleagues. Without exception they are investigating, if not developing, hybrid and all-electric alternatives.…

Your bicycle deserves a pick-me-up

Dirty bikes don’t work as efficiently and look forlorn. Cheer up your bicycle this autumn by entering this prize draw to win a Muc-off SiS Kit worth £26. The kit Contains: Muc-Off Nano Tech 1 litre biodegradable bike cleaner (no harmful acids, CFC’s or solvents) Muc- Off Bike Protect 500ml Muc-Off Wet Lube 120ml Water Bottle Hydration tablets (for you, not…

Could The Thames become world’s widest and wettest cycle lane?

Could the River Thames be about to become the world’s widest and wettest cycle lane? Coming soon to rivers and lakes near you, the Manta is an electrically assisted pedal-powered hydrofoil designed to recreate the sensation of cycling on water. From the look of the demonstration video, the design appears to handle calm waters with ease. However, The Thames is a…

Save your money: Scientists prove cycle commute beats gym

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have found that inactive, overweight people can lose fat just as effectively by riding a bicycle to work as by paying to exercise at a gym. This is the conclusion reached by researchers from the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen in a study that has just been published in the…