8 of the Greatest Challenges Facing Engineering | NEWENGINEER (2024)

Engineers are, by definition, problem solvers and innovators. Whether it’s to do with transportation, buildings, medical devices or energy sources, engineers are always looking for ways to make everyday life better for their fellow human beings. With the rapid rate at which changes are taking place in the world today, we all have to keep on our toes to stay ahead of the curve, and this is especially true in the engineering world. To this end, here are 8of the greatest challenges engineers can expect to face in the next decade.

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8 of the Greatest Challenges Facing Engineering | NEWENGINEER (1)

1. The climate crisis

With climate change becoming a growing topic that demands immediate attention, engineers are going to have to up their game to help mitigate potential catastrophe. The problems of climate change are becoming ever clearer, with scientists linking things like food shortages (of which more later) and even the 2018 California wildfires to the fact that we haven't been treating our world as we should have been. Engineers will be at the forefront of this life-or-death struggle, be it byhelpingoffset pollution created by large companies and corporations, findingsustainable solutions to theenergy problem, or ensuring future generations of engineers are more environmentally conscious than any who have come before. This is top of our list of the challenges engineers will face because it's not something that only affects a portion of society - it's something we will all have to deal with. Because we are all a part of the problem, it's only fair that we all become part of the solution.

2. Making water clean and accessible

Water remains one of our most pressing needs and the shocking truth is that the lack of clean water causes more deaths worldwide than wars. According to statistics more than 16% of the world’s population still does not have sufficient access to clean water every day. It’s not that there isn’t enough water available – it’s more a matter of how to channel the water where it is most needed. Some countries (like Canada) have abundance, while others (in Africa or the Middle East) never have enough. And then there is the question of all the salt water in the oceans, waiting to be desalinated.

3. Providing enough food

After the need for water comes the desperate need for a steady food supply. This challenge facing engineers of the present and future is an ongoing one which tends to grow along with the expanding world population. As the number of mouths to be fed increases, so does the need for nutritious food. Through effective bioengineering and agricultural innovations, engineers can look forward to making a difference in this everyday challenge of alleviating hunger and malnutrition.

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4. Personalised and relevant education

Without a doubt, the kind of education our children and grandchildren receive is going to determine the way they will shape and influence the world when they grow up. The days of one-method-for-all are long gone in the world of learning. Whether it’s learning to read or learning to do long division calculations, each child is unique and has a personal style. The challengefor engineers would be to develop more personalised and relevant methods of learning, whether it is computer programs or modular work that caters for the individual needs and preferences of the learner.

8 of the Greatest Challenges Facing Engineering | NEWENGINEER (2)

5. Improving health care

Medicine and healthcare is another challenging areathat is always going to be with us. Engineers have anopen invitation when it comes to developing new systems of processing genetic information. More understanding is needed regarding how individuals differ in response to drugs and treatments. Personalised medicines and strategies for overcoming drug resistant infections are just two of many important challenges for engineers to face in the next decade.

6. The refugee crisis

An overwhelming percentage of the world’s population is displaced, living in conflict zones, or constantly fleeing from danger. This is as a result of political conflicts and wars as well as natural disasters, droughts and famines. Increasingrefugee populations calls for engineers to find new and improved ways of meeting the unique challenges of relief work by working with both host governments and organizations seeking to provide humanitarian aid.

7. Cyber security

The use of computer systems is now so pervasive to every area of our daily lives that most of us cannot imagine how we would manage without them. Those who have been victims of cyber crime have felt the crippling effect that this can have, especially at a business or government level. Certainly engineers would do well to tackle the challenge of cyber safety and find the best ways of securing both data and wealth from unscrupulous cyber criminals.

8. Enlisting the youth

One of the greatest challenges that engineers will face in the next decade is to ensure that their honourable profession is continued into future generations. It is essential to attract and enlist youngsters into engineering careers in order to leave a legacy that will keep on improving the standard of living for all the inhabitants of this world.

As you can see, the opportunities are endless. With hard work, focus and dedication in these areas and others, engineers stand to make a big difference in the world. The challenges are there to be solved, and the role of the engineer in society certainly isn’t going away anytime soon.

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8 of the Greatest Challenges Facing Engineering | NEWENGINEER (2024)

FAQs

8 of the Greatest Challenges Facing Engineering | NEWENGINEER? ›

Business challenges that engineering firms will face in 2023 include inflation, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, sustainability, high customer expectations, and technology implementation.

What are the biggest challenges that engineers face? ›

Here are some common challenges mechanical engineers may encounter in their jobs, along with potential solutions to help you find ways to overcome them:
  • Licensure and certifications. ...
  • Project deadlines. ...
  • Safety. ...
  • Equipment malfunctions. ...
  • Scope of responsibilities. ...
  • New technologies. ...
  • Complex projects. ...
  • Communication.
Mar 10, 2023

What are the problems facing engineers? ›

Business challenges that engineering firms will face in 2023 include inflation, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, sustainability, high customer expectations, and technology implementation.

What are the five issues that can be solved by engineering solutions? ›

Problems We Solve
  • Disaster Recovery and Resilience. ...
  • Fixing Our Nation's Failing Infrastructure. ...
  • Population Growth and Urban Density. ...
  • Traffic and Transit. ...
  • Safe Drinking Water and Clean Air. ...
  • Safeguarding Our Water Resources. ...
  • Energy Efficiency and Alternative Energy.

What is the most important grand challenge of engineering? ›

The 14 Grand Challenges for Engineering
  • Make solar energy economical.
  • Provide energy from fusion.
  • Develop carbon sequestration methods.
  • Manage the nitrogen cycle.
  • Provide access to clean water.
  • Restore and improve urban infrstaructure.
  • Advance health informatics.
  • Engineer better medicines.

What are the 4 grand challenges of engineering? ›

In each of these broad realms of human concern — sustainability, health, vulnerability, and joy of living — specific grand challenges await engineering solutions. The world's cadre of engineers will seek ways to put knowledge into practice to meet these grand challenges.

What is the hardest thing about engineering? ›

Solving complex problems: One of the key aspects of engineering is solving complex problems, which can require a lot of time and effort. Engineers often need to consider a wide range of factors and potential solutions before finding the best approach, which can be mentally exhausting.

What is the biggest engineering failure? ›

The Ashtabula River railroad disaster occurred December 29, 1876 when a bridge over the Ashtabula River near Ashtabula, Ohio failed as a Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway train passed over it killing at least 92 people. Modern analyses blame failure of an angle block lug, thrust stress and low temperatures.

What are the world problems with engineering solutions? ›

Among them are water shortages, food scarcity, environmental degradation, ageing infrastructure, lack of housing and transportation. Engineers have a role to play when it comes to solving some of these big, global challenges.

What causes engineering failures? ›

Typically, engineering failures occur due to one (or combination) of the following: Human factors (ethical failure or accidents) Design flaw (perhaps including ethcial failures) Extreme conditions or environments (perhaps unforeseen during design)

What are two problems that engineers might solve? ›

Know about engineering and how it solves practical problems like building airplanes, skyscrapers, and bridges. Learn how engineers solve practical problems in the world, such as how to build airplanes, skyscrapers, and suspension bridges.

What are the things engineers have affected? ›

Bridges, cars, phones, computers, aircraft – all are designed and produced by engineers. Most people aren't familiar with the work engineers do, because if it's working, you don't notice it. The smooth running of everything from computer systems to traffic lights is all down to engineers.

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