For the fifth consecutive year, the Departures Hall of Shannon Airport will be transformed to host the highly anticipated Explore Engineering Showcase 2026 on Thursday 5th March. This inspiring event brings together 2,000 senior-cycle secondary school students, teachers, their parents, professionals, and industry leaders for a dynamic celebration of engineering excellence and innovation.
Established in 2015, this annual event provides a unique platform for students and emerging engineers to speak directly with over 60 engineering companies in the Mid-West and gain insights into the latest technological advancements.
Key educational institutions from across the Mid-West will come together to showcase the diverse pathways open to students, from apprenticeships and training bodies to third-level programmes, for students, parents, guidance counsellors, and teachers.
Speaking today, Eimear Brophy, Chairperson of Explore Engineering, said: “The Explore Engineering Showcase is about inspiring future engineers and connecting them with real training and career opportunities close to home. We invite students, their parents, and educators to join us in Shannon Airport as we showcase the very best of what the Mid-West region has to offer the future of engineering talent.”
Commenting on the event, Ray O’Driscoll, Interim CEO of The Shannon Airport Group said: “It’s a real honour for us to host the Explore Engineering Showcase in Shannon Airport. Engineering and aviation go hand in hand and several of the companies participating are an integral part of the Shannon Airport Business Park, where innovation and creativity thrive. It’s wonderful to see the curiosity and passion for engineering this event helps to ignite in students – future talent who will undoubtedly play an important role in our business and the wider region in the years ahead.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore interactive exhibits, witness live demonstrations, and participate in hands-on activities designed to spark creativity and problem-solving skills.
The Explore Engineering Showcase takes place in the Departures Hall of Shannon Airport on Thursday 5th March 2026. Admission and parking are free. Pre-registration is not required. Doors open from 5pm.
Technology has brought transformation to the way we do things, and this includes how we bet on sports. With the emergence of online betting platforms, bettors now have a much easier time placing their bets and enjoying the thrills of sports betting. If for example you want to bet on the Grand National horse racing event with the Irish Grand National odds, you can do it from literally any place in the world at any time. Not to mention that technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) are now creating experiences for bettors that are more immersive and engaging than ever. This article will look at some of the benefits technologies are bringing to the sports betting industry.
How artificial intelligence is changing the face of online sports betting
Artificial intelligence has been used in sports betting for some time now. AI-powered algorithms are being used to analyze data and make predictions about upcoming games, giving bettors an edge when it comes to placing their bets. AI can also be used to identify patterns in past results, helping bettors make more informed decisions about which teams or players they should back. On top of that, AI can be used to automate certain processes such as setting odds and calculating payouts, making the entire process faster and more efficient. AI is also being used to detect suspicious activity on betting sites, helping protect customers from fraud and other malicious activities. As AI continues to evolve and become more sophisticated, it will doubtlessly continue to shape the future of online sports betting for years to come.
How blockchain is revolutionizing online sports betting
Blockchain technology is revolutionizing the online sports betting industry by providing a secure, transparent and immutable platform for users to place bets. With blockchain, all transactions are recorded on a distributed ledger that is accessible to all participants in the network. This ensures that all transactions are secure and can’t be tampered with or reversed. Because they do not need to rely on third parties like banks or payment processors, blockchain-based sports betting platforms provide customers with more control over their money. Some territories, for example Japan, more and more users are leaning toward using crypto bookmakers for their high security and anonymity on transactions.
Compared to conventional online payment systems, blockchain technology enables quicker transaction times and offers lower charges. And since users do not have to give out personal information when using the platform to place bets, blockchain-based sports betting services offer their customers more anonymity.
Leveraging cloud computing for enhanced performance in online sports betting
Cloud computing can be a great asset for online sports betting, as it offers enhanced performance and scalability. With cloud computing, sports betting services can easily scale up or down their resources depending on the demand of their customers. This means that they won’t have to worry about running out of resources during peak times, as the cloud will automatically provide more resources when needed.
Cloud computing also improves security for websites that offer online sports betting services. You can be sure that all data is encrypted and stored safely in the cloud when utilizing a secure cloud platform. This helps protect against hostile actors like hackers that want to access sensitive data. You may also make use of enhanced analytics capabilities with cloud computing, which let you understand customer behavior and preferences to be able to tailor your services accordingly. Using cloud computing is among the best options for improving the performance of online sports betting platforms because of these qualities.
In conclusion, sports betting is now easier to access, safer to use, and more convenient than ever thanks to modern technology. Also, these technologies have made it possible for bettors to gain access to a variety of betting data and tools that they may use to guide their choice of bets and raise their chance of winning.
While 5G mmWave has yet to take off, 6G research has already begun. But what exactly is 6G, and what are the emerging areas to watch?
This article will provide a high-level overview of 6G, including 6G frequencies, technological development trends, and noteworthy 6G applications. The information shared in this article is taken from the latest IDTechEx research report, “6G Market 2023-2043: Technology, Trends, Forecasts, Players”. This report provides critical insight and commercial outlooks for this emerging field.
Key areas of coverage in the IDTechEx report “6G Market 2023-2043: Technology, Trends, Forecasts, Players”. Source: IDTechEx
The Frequency Matters
This article starts at the most basic level – the frequency band. In 5G, sub-6 GHz (3.5 – 6 GHz) and millimeter wave (mmWave, 24 – 100 GHz) bands are the two new bands among the spectrum covered. In 6G, the frequency ranges under consideration include 7 to 20 GHz frequency band, W-band (above 75 – 110 GHz), D-band (110 GHz to 175 GHz), bands between 275 GHz and 300 GHz, and in THz range (0.3-10 THz). The bands between 7 and 20 GHz are considered because of the need for coverage that will enable mobile and “on the go” applications for numerous 6G use cases. The W and D bands are of interest for both 6G access and Xhaul (e.g. fronthaul, backhaul) networks. A solution that meets the objectives of both services is to be considered. As of September 2022, worldwide spectrum allocations do not go beyond 275 GHz. Nevertheless, frequency bands in the range 275-450 GHz have been identified for the implementation of land mobile and fixed service applications, as well as radio astronomy and Earth exploration-satellite service and space research service in the range 275-1,000 GHz.
Overview of 6G spectrum deployment strategy. Note that even though by definition the THz band runs from 300 GHz to 10 THz, telecom professionals have found it simpler to classify beyond-100 GHz applications as THz communications. Source: IDTechEx –
Overview of 6G spectrum deployment strategy. Note that even though by definition the THz band runs from 300 GHz to 10 THz, telecom professionals have found it simpler to classify beyond-100 GHz applications as THz communications. Source: IDTechEx – “6G Market 2023-2043: Technology, Trends, Forecasts, Players”
What Does 6G Promise and What Are the Challenges?
By exploiting the large bandwidth in the THz frequency band, 6G is expected to enable 1 Tbps data rate. However, this rate is very challenging to achieve as a large continuous bandwidth is required, but in reality, the bandwidths that are available for use are limited and split over different bands. Another aspect is that spectral efficiency makes a direct trade-off with the required Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) for detection. The higher the required SNR, the shorter the respective range becomes due to transmitted power limitations at high frequencies as well as added noise. As an example, Samsung’s state-of-the-art D-band phase array transmitter prototype currently demonstrates the furthest travel distance of 120m but only achieves 2.3 Gbps. Other groups show higher data rates, but the over-the-air travel distance is only at centimeter level.
To further improve link range as well as enhance data rate, several requirements are needed to be considered when designing a 6G radio. For example, selecting appropriate semiconductors to boost link range is critical, pick low-loss materials with a small dielectric constant and tan loss to prevent substantial transmission loss. To further reduce transmission loss, a new packaging strategy that tightly integrates RF components with antennas is required. However, one must remember that as devices get increasingly compact, power and thermal management become even more critical.
In addition to device design, network deployment strategy is also a crucial area to research in order to address NLOS and power consumption challenges. Establishing a heterogeneous smart electromagnetic (EM) environment, for example, is being investigated, utilizing a wide range of technologies, such as reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) or repeaters.
6G Applications
One significant change of 6G to previous communication generations is that it will now include non-terrestrial networks, which is a key development item in 6G that enables conventional 2D network architectures to function in 3D space. Low Altitude Platforms (LAPs), High Altitude Platforms (HAPs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and satellites are examples of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs). China sent the world’s first 6G satellite in November 2020. This year, Huawei tested the NTN 6G networks using LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites. More and more activities in this area show that NTN networks will for sure be a key development trend.
Despite communications, 6G is also expected to tap into the world of sensing, imaging, wireless cognition, and precise positioning. Last year, Apple patented its THz sensor technology for gas sensing and imaging in iDevice. Huawei also tested several Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) prototypes. Many more studies and trials are underway to fully leverage the potential of 6G THz frequency bands.
To learn more about 6G technology, applications, and market, please refer to IDTechEx’s newly released 6G market research report. “6G Market 2023-2043: Technology, Trends, Forecasts, Players“. This 6G report is built on IDTechEx expertise, covering the latest 6G technology development trend, key applications, player activities, and market outlook, aiming to provide the reader with a comprehensive understanding of 6G technology and market.
