Nature and NDT

A magazine article I read the other day argued that by living in urban surroundings with food, water and warmth easily available, we are losing our direct connection to nature. Life in the countryside means being more sensitive to natural rhythms and changing seasons and being more aware of the origin of our food and the importance of its production. We have lost our connection to the land and we need to make efforts to reconnect for both our health and the health of the planet. It is hard to argue with this, but I do not think it tells the whole story. Any thinking person is aware of the importance of the natural world to us humans. But when the majority of us live and work one step removed from nature, it is not easy to take advantage of these benefits other than by engaging in outdoor activities or bringing nature into our homes.

The application of non-destructive testing (NDT) is not an activity that immediately makes you think about nature. In fact, just the opposite: working on and in man-made structures; working in man-made surroundings adjacent to machinery; and working under time, temperature and noise stresses. On the face of it, it seems the antithesis of the natural world. But, with a change of mindset, it is possible to perceive a connection.

When I first visited power stations, I felt a sense of awe similar to what we feel when observing natural phenomena. Although the plant or component requiring inspection, whatever its use, is designed, built and operated by humans, it only exists due to processing of natural materials and the use of natural principles. If this seems a little esoteric or convoluted, there are more direct connections. Industrial sites often provide habitats for wildlife that can be observed if you look for them. Working abroad, I saw a tortoise walking down the access road and there were reports of snakes on the site. Even in this country, nature pops up in unlikely places: my spirits are often lifted by the call of an oystercatcher and that is on a business park in Warrington!

When NDT methods and techniques are considered, these often mimic the natural world. The role of vision to perceive the world is used widely throughout the animal kingdom, including the infrared and ultraviolet parts of the spectrum that NDT also utilises. Acoustic techniques, from acoustic emission to ultrasonic inspection, have their counterparts in nature: whales, dolphins and bats are obvious examples but there are many more, including plants that respond to noise and vibrations (see the January 2025 ‘On the Job’ article for reference). Both nature and NDT utilise electric and magnetic fields.

NDT is a profession that protects the environment: its premise is to prevent damage and destruction and extract more use out of assets, helping to better manage limited resources. It also seeks to minimise the potential for pollution and contamination of the environment. This is an added dimension for those working in NDT above just doing a day job to earn a wage. It gives us a higher sense of purpose and an opportunity to contribute to society, which is something all humans need. This brings us to the strongest connection between NDT and nature: the human element. If the hype around artificial intelligence (AI) is to be believed, perhaps this is under threat. Or, if we assign the ‘A’ in AI to ‘assisted’ or ‘augmented’, maybe the human element will always be important. Modifying what has been said elsewhere, the roots of problems lie not in the technology but in the actions of the creators and implementers of the technology.

Immediately before putting finger to keyboard, I discovered an image that combines nature with NDT. Have a look at www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/48665/cracked-line-through-leaves.

The artist, Andy Goldsworthy, works with nature to create artworks that are generally displayed outside. His work reminds us that we are all part of nature and that it is close by wherever we are. As luck will have it, an exhibition of his work, Andy Goldsworthy: Fifty Years, has just started at the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, and runs until 2 November 2025.

The human element of NDT has always been a cornerstone of the profession and a great contributor to our job satisfaction. As technological change accelerates, it is increasingly important to protect it, nurture it and to keep our connection to the natural world.

After 22 years of sharing my thoughts with the readers of NDT News, this is my last column. I should like to thank the editors who have given me space to vent my observations and opinions and you, the readers, for putting up with them!

Editor’s note: On behalf of the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing, and the editorial staff in particular, I extend my sincere thanks to Bernard for his regular insightful and thought-provoking contributions over the past two decades, which have entertained, inspired and offered an interesting perspective on such a diverse range of topics and will be greatly missed.

Please note that the views expressed in this column are the author’s own personal ramblings for the purpose of encouraging discussion within NDT News. They do not represent the views of Amentum or BINDT.

Letters can be mailed to The Editor, NDT News, Midsummer House, Riverside Way, Bedford Road, Northampton NN1 5NX, UK. Email: ndtnews@bindt.org or email Bernard McGrath direct at bernard.mcgrath1@global.amentum.com