Piggyback Aircraft for Inter-City Travel, VW Doubles Down on EV Batteries and Blue Ammonia from CO2

This Week in Engineering explores the latest in engineering from academia, government and industry.

Two former SpaceX engineers have formed a startup to develop a composite, piggyback air transportation system that combines vertical takeoff drones with fixed wing aircraft for downtown-to-downtown intercity transportation. It’s all electrically powered, but can it really work?

Also this week, Volkswagen has placed a massive 14 billion-dollar order with Sweden’s Northvolt that will result in a major expansion in EV cell production. The deal will involve a deeper investment from VW in Northvolt and a takeover of battery manufacturing by Volkswagen.

And finally, reducing atmospheric CO2 can be approached in two ways: emit less or reduce what’s already in the atmosphere. A major oil exploration services company and a new energy tech firm have joined forces to convert CO2 into useful ammonia and do it profitably. The results could work hand-in-hand with electrification and keep the fossil fuel industry relevant without worsening climate change.

Access all episodes of This Week in Engineering on Engineering TV along with all of our other series.

Written by

James Anderton

Jim Anderton is the Director of Content for ENGINEERING.com. Mr. Anderton was formerly editor of Canadian Metalworking Magazine and has contributed to a wide range of print and on-line publications, including Design Engineering, Canadian Plastics, Service Station and Garage Management, Autovision, and the National Post. He also brings prior industry experience in quality and part design for a Tier One automotive supplier.