Research points way to make solar cells more efficient
A team led by Monash University and Wuhan University of Technology researchers has announced a breakthrough they say could help boost the efficiency of so-called tandem solar cells.
Are we moving into an era of regionalisation and reshoring?
By Brent Balinski It’s the hope of many Australian manufacturers that governments will appreciate the true value of purchasing locally, and that consumers will do the same. It starts at the top, believes Jason Riddle, co-owner and director at Toowoomba-based welder and fabricator JRS Manufacturing Group. “There’s so much work that’s currently brought in from…
Australia’s submarine comedy of errors
By Peter Roberts It is getting harder by the day to continue thinking that Australia is not making a hash of our most expensive and complex defence program – building 12 Attack class submarines at a cost of $90 billion. The government has finally given clarity whether three or all six of our Collins boats…
The next step for industry growth centres – by Paul Hodgson
A secret report into the future of industry growth centres has pointed to design weaknesses in the growth centre model and inadequate funding to affect outcomes at a sectoral level. With the federal government believed to favour abolishing the centres, Paul Hodgson points the way ahead.
Monash University’s green ammonia breakthrough
Monash University scientists have developed a new process for the production of ammonia that could cut the carbon-intensity of industrial production globally. Professor Doug MacFarlane, Dr Bryan Suryanto and Dr Alexandr Simonov in a paper in the prestigious journal, Science, suggested replacing the current metal catalysed Haber-Bosch process for producing ammonia with one based on…
Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed
Archer progresses biochip design Archer Materials has established chip testing and measurement operations (pictured) to support its development of a graphene-based biochip for point-of-care medical diagnostics. The capability has been established at a cleanroom at the University of Sydney’s semiconductor research and prototype foundry. The establishment of the facility allows Archer to progress to the…
QLD unveils $2b renewables and hydrogen boost
By Joseph Brookes The Queensland government has announced a $2 billion renewables and hydrogen fund, quadrupling its previous clean energy commitment in a bid to attract more industries to the state and create jobs as part of the Covid-19 recovery. The boost comes as the Queensland Labor government begins work on its own 10-year energy…
Three FNQ manufacturers awarded $930,000 in Manufacturing Hubs grants
Three far north Queensland businesses have been awarded a total of $930,000 in grants through the state government’s Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program. The funding will help create a claimed 142 new jobs at the three companies, which produce cleaning chemicals, high-tech signage, and steel products. Northern Chemicals was awarded $127,590 for a new 2000-litre ribbon…
Applications sought for grants of up to $150,000 through Activate program
The Innovative Manufacturing CRC is inviting applications for its Activate program, which offers grants between $50,000 and $150,000 to support SME projects running between six and 12 months.
Stawell Gold and Gekko Systems prove novel technologies
A Victorian gold mine and a regionally based mining equipment manufacturer have collaborated to develop sophisticated technologies to automate gold processing plants. Since 2018 Stawell Gold Mine and Gekko Systems of Ballarat have installed new equipment and developed new processes to optimise processing. SGM, owned by private equity group Arete Capital Partners, first installed a…