New Food and Beverage Accelerator launched

The new FaBA (Food and Beverage Accelerator), led by The University of Queensland and funded through the former federal government’s Trailblazer initiative, was officially opened on Thursday night. FaBA involves UQ, University of Southern Queensland and Queensland University of Technology, as well as industry partners including Eden Brew, All G Foods and Nourish Ingredients. Assistant…

Vaulta powers up in battery recycling

Brisbane battery technology company Vaulta has received its first international investment as its aim to close the loop on a circular economy through recyclable batteries goes global. Vaulta, a three-year-old company founded by design engineer Dominic Spooner, creates recyclable batteries from no-weld, easy-to-disassemble cases. These cases allow for internal cells to be removed, recycled and…

Kinoxis snares $266 million for psychiatric drug

University of Sydney spin out company Kinoxis Therapeutics has turned R&D into novel therapeutics for social dysfunction and substance use disorders into a $266 million windfall. The company has entered into a strategic partnership and licensing agreement with pharmaceutical company, Boehringer Ingelheim to develop novel treatments for psychiatric patients with social dysfunction symptoms. Kinoxis’ lead…

Professional development support up to $10,000 available for manufacturing workers

Applications are open for support payments worth between $1,000 and $10,000 through Manufacturing Skills Australia’s Industry Development Fund. According to an invitation for nominees on MSA’s website, the funding will help those “seeking support for individual skilling and development that is not supported by any other funding opportunity.”  Nominees can be aged between 15 and…

Australia is facing a 450,000-tonne mountain of used solar panels. Here’s how to turn it into a valuable asset

By Archie Chapman, The University of Queensland There were an estimated 100 million individual solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in Australia at the end of 2022. We estimate this number will likely grow to over 2 billion if we are to meet Australia’s 2050 net-zero emissions target. This growth means Australia is facing a 450,000-tonne mountain…

L3Harris Micreo to manufacture bomb disposal robots

L3Harris Micreo is to manufacture 80 new explosive ordnance disposal robots (pictured) for the Australian Defence Force under a just signed, $46 million contract with the federal government. The Queensland company, formed in 2002 as part of the global L3Harris defence business, will provide robots that carry cameras and sensors with an improved ability to…

Beacon expansion puts the spotlight on STEM

Today we continue our sponsored series reporting on BAE Systems Australia’s Partnering for success defence industry supplier event with a look at the Beacon STEM program for primary schools. BAE Systems Australia is expanding its science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) outreach program with immersive technology company, Lumination, to young people in Victoria. This means…

Orbital Corporation awarded $3 million development contract with Anduril

Drone engine maker Orbital Corporation has announced the signing of a development contract with defence technology company Anduril Industries. In a short ASX announcement on Thursday morning, Perth-based Orbital said an initial contract worth approximately $3 million would lead to prototypes delivered for ground testing by January next year. The two companies had announced an…