Researchers work to transform truck powertrain design.

We are in a new era of transport technology disruption, with having seen the emergence of the flying taxi and hyperloop train prototypes, hydrogen highways and trackless trams. Is this the dawning of a much-needed revolution in mass transit, led by a new breed of clean-powered, demand-responsive, driverless vehicles? Or, will these grand designs turn out to be little more than modern versions of the Brennan Monorail flop?

Dr Ronald Cox, engineering historian and visiting research fellow in the Department of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering at TCD, has written Dublin Port Chief Engineers, which was published by Dublin Port Company recently. In two extracts, the first of which is published now, Dr Cox explores the life and works of Bindon Blood Stoney.

'This craft has lasted 25 runs down to the Titanic and back to the surface. Each return run would put cracks in the pressure bulkheads. This might be small and undetectable to start but soon become critical and produce rapid and uncontrollable growth. The loading and critical crack size is basic standard engineering taught to all engineering students.'

How do all the pieces fit together to design such a fast car?

'When we started, we were seen as crazy engineers for wanting to bring sails back to ships,' says aeronautical engineer Cristina Aleixendri, 'but when we speak to shipowners today, they tell us we’ll go back to wind and it will never be abandoned.'