Second local vaccine manufacturer push comes late

By Peter Roberts Pharmaceutical manufacturer IDT Australia is undertaking a feasibility study to assess the possibility of supplementing production of the Covid-19 vaccine in Australia. IDT will assess the possibility of using its sterile production facilities to supplement local supplies, following a Department of Health request. This comes as the federal government is being criticised…

Sparc deveops anti-microbial graphene

Advanced materials company Sparc Technologies has demonstrated bactericidal properties of its graphene based additives in an epoxy coating system. The company commissioned Flinders University, Adelaide to evaluate the coatings using an internationally recognised standard ISO 22196. The bactericidal activity was demonstrated in relation to Escherichia Coli, a commonly found and harmful bacteria. Graphene when added…

AML3D and Austal produce additive vessel component

Additive manufacturer AML3D and shipbuilder Austal have had a 3D printed marine component independently tested and verified. The three metre long personal recovery davit (crane, pictured) was designed and manufactured by AML3D at its Adelaide factory utilising its wire additive manufacturing (WAM) technology. AML3D utilised the company’s design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) platform to produce…

B&R Enclosures moves into defence sector

B&R Enclosures’ has expanded its interests to the defence sector following contracts it worked on for Boeing’s Currawong battlespace communications system. The company manufactured brackets and racks for the Boeing system which provides secure wideband voice, data and video services over wireless and wired infrastructure for land-based Australian Defence Force personnel. B&R’s core business has…

Wearables maker gets a Queensland govt boost

By Joseph Brookes Brisbane-based MedTech manufacturer WearOptimo, which is backed by the Australian National University (ANU), will produce devices in Australia after getting support from the Queensland government. The company makes small sticker like devices (pictured) that can detect dehydration in patients. According to tWearOptimo, the ‘microwearables’ provide accurate results in real time and may…

Double boost to shipbuilding workforce

The federal government is backing two new measures to boost the naval shipbuilding workforce. Minister for defence industry Melissa Price announced a $5 million Naval Shipbuilding Training and Upskilling program to assist workers displaced by the Covid-19 pandemic move into naval shipbuilding. And the government has awarded 40 new scholarships to students from the Queensland…