Impulse to Innovation

Impulse to Innovation is the podcast of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, or IMechE. It offers news, views and all things engineering from the institution, and is hosted by Dr Helen Meese, a Chartered Engineer and IMechE member. The first episode came out in August 2020, and the most recent in December 2024.

Each episode takes a theme and brings in engineers working on it. Topics include electric vehicles and batteries, hydrogen, quantum technology, service robots, heritage conservation and engineering in sport. Some episodes are recorded live at the institution’s student challenges, including Formula Student at Silverstone and the Railway Challenge.

Some highlights include:

A visit to Tokamak Energy in Oxfordshire, a company working towards a commercial fusion energy supply.
https://IMechE.podbean.com/e/season-3-episode-4-harnessing-the-power-of-the-sun-developing-fusion-power-at-tokamak-energy/

The Railway Challenge 2022, one of the institution’s student competitions, and the new generation of engineers taking part.
https://IMechE.podbean.com/e/season-3-episode-6-the-railway-challenge-2022/

A live show from Formula Student’s 25th anniversary at Silverstone, with competitors, judges and sponsors. Over 45,000 students have taken part since the competition began.
https://IMechE.podbean.com/e/season-4-live-epiosde-formula-student-2023/

The live competition episodes give a real feel for what university engineering teams do. The themed episodes are useful for anyone curious where a mechanical engineering degree or apprenticeship could lead.

Listen on Apple Podcasts