His research covered a broad spectrum, including metal fatigue and the design of engineering equipment.

This has meant swapping from working with vehicles and living in permanent bases to living out of rucksacks and operating with engineering equipment designed to be dropped by parachute.

Leaving aside the visual impact, the heavy engineering equipment required would result in significant environmental damage.

The spreading global recession has led to a drop in costs - everything from the cost of renting rigs to buying steel beams and other engineering equipment.

In addition, much of her electrical and engineering equipment was renovated.